Academy U.S M3A1 Stuart Light Tank

by Academy

Product Features

• Fully detailed interior and exterior
• Moveable gun elevation and various accessories
• Accurately reproduced U.S and Soviet Version
• Optional Flexible or Individual tracks
• Decals included to enhance realism

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1.6 x 0.8 x 5.1 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0006O2ZN0
• Item model number: 1398
• Manufacturer recommended age: 14 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #174,698 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

This is a 1/35 scale Academy plastic model kit. The M3A1 Stuart Light Tank was was an American light tank of World War II and supplied to British and Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the USA into the war—and used thereafter by US and Allied forces until the end of the war. This kit contains one tank model and is a pleasure to construct. Decals are provided as well as a painting and decal placement guide. Various accessories such as a moveable gun elevation assist in making this Academy kit both accurate and realistic.

Product Description

1/35 Scale. All Academy kits are highly detailed and come with detailed instructions and waterslide decals. Skill level 2.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light Tank in the Hedgerows, March 23, 2011

By 

John M. Staehle - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Academy U.S M3A1 Stuart Light Tank (Toy)

Upon seeing this kit for the first time since the Tamiya issue of the same model I was pleased to see that it was somewhat more complex than the older Tamiya kit but just the same easily constructed. After considering which version to build as there are choices I went for the later model to be used in a diorama which depicted the hedgerow fighting in France (see gallery). The kit was built straight out of the box with no modifications except to add a commander figure from the Tamiya M4A3 Sherman kit which I'll review in another session. By following the instructions step by step as I usually proceed to do this would make a great starter kit for anyone over 10 years old that likes and appreciates models with detail. The box art shows the first issued tanks in North Africa as the Allies were trying to catch Rommel, I chose not to model this version and the decal sheet wasn't used that came with the kit as I had other U.S. Army white stars form other kits.
Overall I would highly recommend this kit to anyone with any skill level as it makes a really good beginner's kit as well as one for the serious armor collector.
Depending upon the version, keep the tank details to a minimum and follow the instructions closely.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent starter kit for a new model maker, September 20, 2011

By 

Jerry Saperstein (Evanston, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Academy U.S M3A1 Stuart Light Tank (Toy)

My grandson has developed sufficient motor skills and, more importantly, the patience and care to start working on "real" plastic models. We've gone through the snap-together model kits and he was ready to move on.

The Academy U.S M3A1 Stuart Light Tank is just about perfect for an 8 year old's first serious attempt at model making (with a "little" help from his grandpa who enjoyed model building for thirty years or so).

The 1/35th scale means the parts are big enough for young fingers to grasp and not go flying off to parts unknown. The detail is impressive enough to bring the young man's mind into imagining what went into building a real tank, yet not overly demanding as a 1/72nd scale model might be.

Academy's molding is beautiful. My grandson quickly picked up the skill of neatly clipping the parts off the sprue. Mold lines are few and slight and he proved surprisingly adept at lightly sanding them off.

The model is very well detailed and at first I worried that this might overwhelm the young man. No need to fear. Maybe it was my (endless) lecturing while we built the snap-together models, but he did not rush and he carefully controlled the flow of cement as he put the sub-assemblies together. I was impressed.

At first, I wasn't planning on painting the model, figuring that there would be lots of smeared cement and other detritus. In actuality, the model is coming together so nicely - and this Academy kit is so nice - it would be a shame not to paint it.

Overall, this is a terrific kit for a beginning young modeler working with a more experienced assistant. The parts fit together beautifully and, as noted, have few mold lines or other imperfections. There's lots of detail, but not so much as to intimidate a beginner.

Jerry