1/50 M3A1 Stuart (Cuban Revolution)

[PacificWind]

I started another 1/50 project. For a while I wasn't really active in our paper hobby but that's most likely because of the winter season here. Low temperatures, tons of snow, short days... these things just take away all my energy to do anything more creative. Thankfully, it's getting better now as the spring is coming soon.

Anyway, the model on which I'm working is an M3A1 Stuart used in the Cuban Revolution. This particular tank, marked "PMT-102-T", was captured by the Ejército Rebelde(26th of July Movement) from Batista's forces. Initially, there were 24 M3A1s in Cuba, they arrived in 1942-1943 under the Lend-Lease program. When Fidel Castro came to power, 18 Stuarts remained in service, were still operational.

My project, in majority, is a resize and repaint of R&P Models digital kit. But there will be also some modifications and scratchbuilding. The most important change I want to make is definitely the more accurate, more detailed running gear. Original one would look just bad in 1/50 scale.

So far, I've built the hull.
Unfortunately my printer sometimes have problems with tiny markings or specific combinations of colors so that's why you may notice they're not really perfect, those markings. But it's nothing serious. Still looks like a Cuban tank.

[rockpaperscissor]

Looking good. I'll be watching with interest.

[koljychka]

Очень достойное начало!
Судя по последней фото, результат будет великолепным!
Я тоже увлекся бронетехникой в 1/50 масштабе.

Translation provided by Google Translate and rickstef
A very worthy start!
Judging by the last photo, the result will be great!
I also became interested in armored vehicles in 1/50 scale

[Don Boose]

Nice work, Kacper!

Don

[Butelczynski]

Neat work. Good to see you posting again.

[PacificWind]

Thanks for the interest.
Today I only attached a few more parts to the hull, nothing else. But as it's Friday tomorrow, then Saturday, Sunday, I'll have more time to work on Stuart.

[PacificWind]

Friday update is here.
4 new photos.

[RafaelDias]

I never noticed how small this tank is

[PacificWind]

I began to work on the M3A1's running gear. What you'll see in the pictures took me almost the whole Saturday... Thankfully, the most tiring, repetitive part of this project has been done - road wheels and bogies. I also did the idler and sprocket wheels.

[Butelczynski]

Originally Posted by RafaelDias

I never noticed how small this tank is

Later version M5A1 is standing in Can Forces Base Borden ,Ontario.It's about the size of city delivery cube van,just a bit narrower a a tad taller.It's size up from FT-17 and considerably smaller than M3. Size wise T-34 is a monster when compared to all of those and they are all about an hour and half drive from my place