Customer Reviews

Academy U.S M3A1 Stuart Light Tank

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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.

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