M5A1 Stuart Light Tank (Early Production) - AFV 1:35

[Rod The Fixer]

Hello everyone,
I am starting to assemble this AFV 1:35 kit:


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

A quick look inside the box:


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


First steps ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

 

[Edbert]

I started work on the "late" version of this recently.

​

It is my 1st ever full kit from AFV Club, I'd assembled their track links before. I encountered problems in several spots while dry-fitting and put it away before the frustrations led me to do mean things to it.

I'm anxious to see what you can make out of it, please keep us posted with progress pics. I'm hoping to feel inspired by your work

 

[Rod The Fixer]

Ready for puttying and sanding activity ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

 

[Si B]

Looking good Rod

 

[Rimmer]

Very nice bit of work.

 

[Rod The Fixer]

Ready for the first coat of paint...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

 

[Edbert]

Curious, why do you leave the road wheels off, just to get paint/primer into the obstructed spaces?

 

[JOHN R]

Wow, love the photos of the build very clean and sharp .

 

[Rod The Fixer]

Hupper hull painted in Olive Drab (2) [Gunze H 78]


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

 

[Rod The Fixer]

Ready for weathering ...


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr


by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

 

[Rod The Fixer]

Curious, why do you leave the road wheels off, just to get paint/primer into the obstructed spaces?

Hi edbert,
leaving the road wheels off allows for better access to the obstructed spaces, ensuring that paint, primer and subsequent wheatering effects can be applied evenly and thoroughly.

 

[Steve Jones SMS]

Beautiful work Rod. Looking forward to seeing the weathering. Going for the muddy or dusty look??

 

[Jakko]

leaving the road wheels off allows for better access to the obstructed spaces

Not to mention it's much easier to paint the tyres that way. I haven't built an M3 or M5 light tank in a long time, but have built quite a few M3 and M4 mediums in recent years, and I usually also leave the bogies off for exactly the same reasons.

And the same goes for other tracked vehicles, if possible: I leave the wheels and tracks off until after everything is painted, simply so I can get paint everywhere I want it.