Advantages: First kit of this version in styrene; excellent moldings and details with good parts breaks for anyone wanting aftermarket interior sets; nicely done vinyl tracks; virtually complete kit as is

Disadvantages: M3A3 is essentially a non-American version, may hurt sales



The M3A3 was a transitional tank between the M2 and successor M3 tanks with air-cooled engines and vertical armor plates and the M5 series with twin V-8 engines and sloped armor plate. It combined an M3 lower hull with a sloped armor hull and an improved design of rolled armor plate turret with a bustle originally designed to house a British No. 19 wireless set. While the US Army soon decided to switch to the twin engine arrangement with automatic transmission, it did decide the turret design of the M3A3 was superior to the M3A1/M5 turret and adopted it for the M5A1 series. 3,427 were built between September 1942 and September 1943; 2,045 went to the UK or Commonwealth forces, and 1,277 to other nations such as the Free French and China.

Up to now the only way to get an M3A3 – also known as the Stuart Mk. V to the British –  was to convert a Tamiya M3 with a new turret or M5A1 turret and a resin or scratchbuilt hull. AFV Club has now solved the problem and provides one of the most complete kits for making this attractive vehicle possible for a reasonable price.

The kit provides all of the basic parts for the M3A3 plus the optional Commonwealth fittings and stowage bin. Brass grilles are included for the engine as well as for the stowage bin basket, and a turned aluminum gun barrel is also provided. Three nicely done M1919A4 machine guns come with the kit, including the "rocker" mount for the AA one.

Some interior parts are included such as a complete gun breech and SCR-508 radio set for the turret bustle (oddly no No. 19 set – the original "occupant" - is provided). Hatches are all detailed with separate viewers and viewer mounts. Details about, and for the first time in my memory even the "gear" detail of the turret race is provided as part of the hull detail.

The kit also provides 24 links of T16 track from the earlier separate track set as well as – for the first time for these vehicles – separate grouser bars, each consisting of two parts. Extra grouser racks are provided for the UK/Commonwealth versions, as well as "clean" parts for the others.

Seven different decal options are provided: two Free French, two 1st Chinese Provisional Tank Group, Yugoslavian 1st Tank Brigade, and two British Army tanks. The decal sheet seems more complete than usual, which should make most people happy.

Most parts and "leftovers" are easily identified, but there was a second aluminum part which stumped me. I thought at first it was the British "Littlejohn" adapter for taperbore style ammunition and increased performance, but it is far too short and small. I eventually found out what it was – the mount for the AA machine gun (H2) on the side of the turret. This is called out in the directions but is not listed or identified in the parts sheet.

Overall this is a magnificent kit, and hopefully it sells well. AFV Club have done a great job on it, and hopefully will also consider an M5/M5A1!



Kit Review: ADDENDUM

AFV Club 1/35 Scale Kit No. AF35061; Stuart Light Tank T36E6 Track; two sections in black vinyl; price around $6.95

AFV Club 1/35 Scale Accessory Kit No. AG35010; M3A3 Stuart Light Tank Photo Etched Brass Extra Detail; 34 subjects; price around $10.95

Advantages: Fix complaints from some modelers by giving them an option as to either simpler construction or more detail

Disadvantages: Since they are separate from the base kit, none noted (it's your choice)

In conjunction with their excellent M3A3 kit previously reviewed, AFV Club now has two accessory kits out to complement this model.

The first one is a set of vinyl T36E6 track (three bar steel grouser) for those who want to use it on the M3A3 (or any other M3 series kit, for that matter) that complements the single link version also produced by AFV Club (kit No. AF35020). Many modelers prefer the simplicity of the "sear and put on" vinyl track, and these are very nicely done.

The second one replaces some of the finer parts of the M3A3 kit: the grouser racks for the UK version, brackets for the rear stowage bin, the headlight guards, and some smaller bits like the shovel blade clamp. Overall they are nicely done and not excessive, and should be of use to many modelers rather than the brawny few who like to try and use 200 brass subjects!

Thanks to Hobby Fan for the review samples.