I wanted to shared my thoughts and pictures regarding my 1/35 M41 tank.
This was my first armor build in a long while and so I thought tamiya’s M41 would be a good place to start…It worked out very well as the kit went together beautifully with pieces fitting together nicely. Small details also kept my interest including 3 figures and nicely molded parts with little or no flash where excess filing would be required.
Quick History
The M-41 was introduced as a light tank designed to be air mobile and replace the M-24 in America’s new age of armor following WWII. It saw action in Vietnam where it was used by the South Vietnamese. There it proved to be an extremely noisy gas guzzler whose light armor had limitations. Hundreds were eventually sold all around the world to countries including Tawain who still use a modified version of the M-41 with a 76 mm main gun.
The Kit and build
I started by examining the directions and dedicing on which version to build…Decals for an American and Japanese verision were included. I opted for the American Tank. The kit’s low cost and it’s ease to build are it’s main attractions. The directions included provide a clear guide to building, painting, and decaling. I used the vinyl tracks provided which looked nice once they were painted, weathered, and attached. Standard tools are provided as well as a browning 50 cal. gun on the turrent. The hatch can be positioned open or closed and the turrent and gun barrel rotate. There is no interior detail but the driver’s hatch can also be positioned open. A hitch for attaching the gun barrel is also provided so the kit can be displayed in it’s traveling position. There are also two jerry cans which attach to the storage box at the back of the turrent. 3 figures are provided including two infantry and one tank commander. Accesories for the soldiers include binoculars, a tommy gun, m1 rifle, packs, canteens, etec…
Painting and decaling
I used tamiya acrylics and sprayed it an overall olive drab. The tracks got a hit of gun metal, black, then a dusted of model master leather to simulate mud and dirt. I also hit the bottom half of the tank with varying degrees of the dust color to simulate dirt kicked up by the tracks.
The decals went on very nicely and snuggled into place well after an overcoat of dull coat by model master.
My M-41 took about 8 hours to complete most of the time spend on assembling and painting the figures. It was a great kit to build and I recommend it for beginners and advanced modelers who would like a nice break from hectic builds.
Hope you enjoy the pics and the review…Please forward your comments or any info, suggestions, etc.
Tankbuster,
Great looking paint / weathering. Thanks for the brief synopsis. I had started to build this model a few years ago but put it aside for other endeavers. Your pictures have re-kindled the desire to build mine. Thanks!
Doug
I am new to armor and have been looking at this kit. After seeing yours, I think I might have to make a purchase. Thanks so much for sharing. It looks amazing.
Looks pretty good. A few suggestions I could make though would be to hit it with a dull coat if you have’nt, it has a bit of a shine to it. And paint the metal parts of the tracks a more silver color where they would get worn. Looks good still though.
Just one observation Tankbuster! You should have applied the dusting after the application of the decals. They standout to much in your pictures. I don’t mean to be critical but it will make a world of difference in your finished look, and believe me I’ve made the same error myself in the past, but thanks to the fair and honest remarks by fellow forum members have learned to do my weathering after decal application. Otherwise I think your M-41 is an excellent job. Semper Fi, mike
I have to agree with Mike. The other thing that stands out to me is the lack of any attention to the commanders vision blocks. Try some Tamiya clear blue or even flat black next time. The other really big issue is the .50 cal, not very realistically molded, or it is missing parts. There are several options here as well. It seems that the level of detail is just not there on this build.
Please don’t be offended, my aim is not to trash your model, but I think you’re owed an honest opinion.
Good job Tank. Good looking build. As for the decals, try applying Future or a gloss where the decals go, let dry, then apply another coat of future,. Let dry, then apply a dullcoat. Hopefully that will eliminate the silvering.
I have bought three of these kits. They are cheap, $5-$10, depending on hobby lobbys whims, but a decent kit to play around with.
There are no provisions made for the drivers periscopes, however, so they are up to you.
I have to agree with some of the comments made…There is a fair amount of silvering around the decals and
I am still trying to master the techniques associated with decaling. They should be weathered along with the rest
as well…I think I’ve come along a bit since this one though and hopefully you’re see it in the next few models I present.
The comments are helpful and I do not resent them even if they are a critique…One of the main reasons I display the
photos is to get feedback and learn from it. Another reason is to inform other modelers about the various kits for their
future building plans…
Well thanks for sharing everyone…I appreciate it…and will try and apply your ideas with some touch ups on this and future
builds.
That is a great ol’ kit, and you’ve done a fine job on it. Nothing I can really add to what’s already been said here, other than “keep up the good work!”
NIce job on the build and weathering, Tank. It is also nice to see honest remarks on how to better your techniques to achieve a better finish. You are on your way!
Your kit looks good. I agree that this is a superb starter kit. It is also a great kit to use if you want a first attempt at aftermarket products.
I collected up about $100 of aftermarket accessories for this (includes kit price). Right after I finally got some tracks, Skybow and AFV Club both release a better kit.
A kit like this can be used to learn how to take any one of those AM sets and apply it to a fairly simple kit whether it be an Eduard PE set, Tank Work Shop resin set, AFV Club individual links or an aluminum barrel.
While I do not advocate trying to add them all to the Tamiya kit (way too much money and the AFV Club kit is not that much–$30), trying one or two just to see how to work with PE, resin or aluminum is just fine.
Knowing almost diddly squat about this tank or most tanks for that matter, can I ask about the lug nuts on the bogie wheels. Are they that bright due to the flash or did you paint them a bright color?
[}:)]One of the first armor kits I ever build. Now I wish I hadn’t rushed into the backyard and “recreated” the great battles using firecrackers and M-80s… A lot of plastic bit the dust that way.
