kit: AFV Club 1/35 M3A3 (Stuart V)
AM parts: Royal Model PE #342 Bronco T-16 workable track links
crew figure: Ultracast conversion
decals: Archer and home made/printed
grass: Gaugemaster
Historical background:
Juno Beach sector, around the vicinity of Secqueville-en-Bessin, June 8th 1944.
Morning found the Canadian Scottish infantry under heavy flank fire from German snipers. The 6th Canadian Armoured Regiment, also known as the First Hussars, were on hand in the infantry support role. A Lieutenant W.E.P. Smith was given the task to head out in his Stuart to recon the area. In a buttoned down tank, it was difficult to spot the enemy, so the lieutenant threw open his turret hatch for a better view.
With his upper body fully exposed, he was instantly hit by a sniper round in the arm, followed seconds later by another hitting the side of his helmet. Luckily, that one deflected upwards and out the top, causing no injury. His crew quickly rushed their wounded commander back to HQ. On arrival, he refused medical aid until he could fully relay the sniper positions he had observed just before being shot. For this act of bravery, plus several others during the advance inland, Smith was awarded the Military Cross.
Subsequently, two more Stuart recon tanks were sent to the area Smith had last been. There, they helped the Canadian Scottish unit to ferret out the Germans. More than thirty snipers were either killed or captured. The result was a welcomed respite in the rear area.
Jack thats a really nice looking Stuart. You did a fantastic job on everything from weathering to the matted grass in the track pads and I’m blown away with the figure. The washes are perfect and the lower hull looks great. How did you ever keep from breaking his chinstrap?? Cool photo BTW.
Bronto, constructor, Wirraway, disastermaster, and jibber - thanks very much guys!
The chinstrap is a piece of sheet plastic I cut to size. I used a repalcement head from Hornet, and it originally had the paratrooper style strap that is Y shaped at the ears.
The first sculpt is the one used from this five piece set:
Excellent model and presentation. [t$t] Where did you get the grass from? Is it available here in the States? The first picture looks like the real thing.
The grass mat I used is Gaugemaster brand, a UK based railroad hobby shop. The fibers are about 12mm in height. The area underneath the Stuart’s tracks was trimmed and removed so the vehicle sits flat on the wood base below.
I’m sure you can find similar products in the States at railroad hobby stores.
Now that’s an impressive finish when you have to ask yourself in that first pic if it’s the model or a real vehicle. Very nice work on this one Jack! [Y]
Wow Jack. I thought the 1st pic was going to be the reference photo. Amazing. I can’t remember the last post I made in the armor forum but I had to compliment you on that fine piece of work.
