Gun/Mantlet and Turret front
for Academy M3A1 Stuart
1/35 #F034
Review by Terry Ashley
This is simple update set designed for the Academy M3A1 Stuart (kit #1398) and consists of six parts in the usual light cream resin with just the casting
blocks to be removed before use.
There were no air holes or blemishes apart from some minor warping of the
37mm and .30cal MG barrels that can be quickly fixed with a warm water dip.
The new mantlet has the correct profile with subtle cast texture and the two large screw heads on the underside of the mantlet and correctly sized sight and MG holes, as well as a separate rain guard over the sight hole which is cast very thin and you should take a bit of care when handling this. There are two nicely cast .30cal MG barrels (one spare) and you just have to trim to the correct length and glue to the mantlet after drilling out the muzzle for better appearance.
The new resin 37mm barrel has the small flair at the muzzle and has a small indent at the tip that will help position the drill bit as you drill this out further and it is best to attach this to the Academy kit M6 37mm gun by cutting off the plastic kit barrel and gluing the resin barrel in it’s place, all very simple as far as surgery goes.
The turret front panel has the is the correct type for the M3A1 without the bolt heads on the Academy part with just the four small bolts on each corner and subtle oxy cut marks on the edges with the fit to the front of the Academy turret very good.
Conclusion:
A simple update set to correct some of the features of the M3A1 not right
in the Academy kit that is easy to fit with a minimum of work.
Highly recommended.
Check the Formations website for details of other update sets available and thanks to Rob for the review sample.
Page created 21 October 2004