Monday 14 March 2016

From LeeH - M3A1 Stuart Tanks (10 Points)

My latest submission to the Painting Challenge are some M3A1 Stuart tanks for my North Africa project. Once again I have used models from the GHQ range and the fine crisp detailing more than justifies the higher price tag.


Five M3A1 Stuart Tanks in British colours

Over four and a half thousand M3A1's were produced between May 1942 to February 1943 and a significant number saw service with the British in North Africa. The British army designated the vehicle the Stuart III & IV (the Diesel version) but by now the vehicle was known to British tank crews as the 'Honey' because of its smooth ride and good performance, particularly in prolonged desert operations. Popular it may have been but its relatively small 37mm gun was no match for the latest German tanks now arriving on the continent and it would soon be superseded by the M3 Grant and later the M5 Sherman.



Racing across the desert

I have been wanting to paint these for some time and particularly wanted to try out a type of British desert camouflage that I have not tried until now. I'm really happy with how these turned out, particularly the camouflage pattern. I mixed the blue myself and think I have achieved the slightly grey blue colour that looks very similar to pictures I have seen from the period.


All round view showing the camouflage pattern, rusty exhausts and tools
stowed at the rear.

Five 6mm vehicles should earn me another 10 points in my quest to beat my challenge points 'personal best'.


Yes, as advertised, these are real 'honeys' Lee. Well done.  I really like your take on the the blue-grey camo and, as-we-always-say-but-needs-to-be-said-again, your basework is absolutely top notch. 
Now, where is 'The Haunted Tank'?  :)

13 comments:

  1. Every nice tiny honeys. Cheers

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  2. Lovely honeys Lee. The base work is excellent as usual. The camp really works and well done on the Crusader period identification marks.

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  3. Sweet Honeys Lee! Love the Caunter camo...

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  4. I used to see these bad boys in Airfix magazine 40 years ago, yet it seemed that nobody had ever produced a kit of a Honey. It took me a while to figure out that they were all scratch built! Great work Lee, love that camo!

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  5. Lee, your 6mm stuff has been a real treat to watch. This camo is ace! I love the look. Well done.

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  6. Those really look fantastic! Great job on these Lee!

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  7. Your 6mm stuff really is amazing Lee! Incredible amount of detail on such tiny models!

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  8. Wonderful stuff - thanks for joining the party!

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  9. Nice one mate. always good to see recconisance tanks. And these are great, the blue breaks them up nicely/

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  10. Really nice work. I think the camo looks spot on.

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  11. Lovely tanks, Lee! I love the camouflage on them. I'm still enjoying very much your NA pieces! :)

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