1:35 M3 Stuart Honey (academy)

The M3 Stuart in British service and photo-etched metal in 1:35

The Italian brand Royal Model has prepared a steel fret that refines a kit of the American light tank in the version used by the British. The photo-etched parts replace molded elements with thin metal and move the result closer to the real subject. You have to have the base kit of your own. It is based on the dimensions of the Academy kit.

Where the nickname Honey came from

The British received the first machines in 1941 as part of deliveries to North Africa and quickly took to them. Compared with what they were used to, this was an exceptionally fast, reliable and easily handled vehicle, and the nickname arose precisely out of that enthusiasm. Its use in Operation Crusader showed the limits of the machine at the same time, though: the 37 mm gun was not enough against German tanks and the armor was thin. The tank therefore found its place later mainly in reconnaissance, where its speed made the most sense. A radial aircraft engine powered it and the hull of the first production runs was riveted.

A procedure that has proved itself

The rivets on the hull are a pronounced identifying mark on this subject, so take care not to damage them while seating the metal parts. It is advisable to fit the photo-etched metal before the overall spraying, so that one layer covers everything. The sandy shades of desert coloring come out well if you let a darker toning solution into the recesses and lighten the edges instead.

Who the set is for

• for lovers of Allied vehicles of the North African campaign
• for builders of British reconnaissance units
• for modelers used to working with photo-etched metal
• for completing an older mold with the details it lacks

Neither the tank itself nor paints are supplied with the set.