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Modeller Build Logs
Formations M5A1 Conversion |
| By Martin Dogger |
| Started: | Jun 11, 2007 | | Updated: | Jul 14, 2007 |
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With the recent 'plastic war' going on, the range of subjects available as plastic kits is getting very diverse. This is a good move, as plastic kits are relatively cheap and easy to get. If you wanted obscure vehicles, you would need to get resin kits. For some mainsteam vehicles, this was also the case. I won't open a can of worms on what kits should be issued. But until recently, Allied modellers have been asking for more kits. Over the last three years, a lot of good stuff has come out and more is bound to come.
This is a good sign, as there are several Allied vehicle that are ill served. The US M5A1 light tank was the main type of light tank used in the ETO, but there hasn't been a recent, up-to-date kit released.
This Build Log will feature the Formations M5A1 conversion for AFV Club's Stuart V kit. I'll take some sidesteps along the way, giving some background information plus reasons on the choices I make. |
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| Suspension | Jul 14, 2007 |
The suspension provided in the AFV Club is very good. It assembles easy, has good detail and sharp moulding. And it's light years ahead of the Tamiya and Academy suspension.
Yes, it's far better than Academy's suspension. This might seem strange, as Academy's kit is from 2001.... more |
| Inspiration for the model | Jul 9, 2007 |
Like most modellers, I'd like to look around in books and on the internet for inspiring photographs. I've found several of the M5A1 light tank. Some of them I'll show below.
This one is a photo of an M5A1 of probably 4th Armored Division in Coutances, July 30 1944. This photo shows... more |
| Overview of the References | Jun 15, 2007 |
Here's an overall view of the references I will use. I think it's fairly self explanatory, but a few comments (counterclockwise from bottom right):
1) Military Modelling article: article by Cookie Sewell, useful for some 1:1 photos. Not necessary, as it correct the Tamiya kit.
2) Concord... more |
| Overview of the Kits Used | Jun 11, 2007 |
Here's a good view of all the bits I will use.
1) Base kit is the very good AFV Club Stuart V, released back in 2003. It's a state of the art kit, with very good detail, moulding and fit of parts. AFV Club includes a small PE fret, with bits for the engine screening, rear hull basket and... more |
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