Airfix 1/35 M3 Stuart 'Honey'

[SteveT]

Hi guys,

I've been getting more and more frustrated at my Eduard Tempest D-Day GB so I recently decided to take some time away from it and do something else.
as I seem to be finding more and more that armour is my 'niche' I thought I'd try this. an Airfix M3 Stuart 'Honey' light tank.

Here are some images of the kit and my progress so far. (I'm trying a different method this time, construction then painting rather than painting as I go)

 

[Allen Dewire]

It looks a good kit, Steve. And you seem to be off to a great start too. I'll follow along and see what you do with it. Tanks are fun and remember, if there's a prob, mud, dust and sand are your best friends...

Prost
Allen

 

[Jim R]

Has pretty good reviews, Steve, so should build up nicely. I think this is a rebox of the Academy kit??

(I'm trying a different method this time, construction then painting rather than painting as I go)

Although that approach has some issues I have found that the more I can stick together, even if painting is a little fiddly and there may need to be more masking, the better the result is overall.

 

[PaulTRose]

Always liked the stuart/honeys.....neat little tank

Good luck with the tracks

 

[SteveT]

Working on the upper hull now, the side armour was a little tricky as it seemed to be warped/bent a little? I got it, it's not perfect but 'okay'.

 

[Jakko]

You’re doing very nicely there. Is the interior still loose? Because your best option is to paint that whole floor/firewall assembly before you glue it into the hull. An aerosol can of white primer will do nicely for that, because most of the interior of American tanks was white. Don‘t forget to do the sponsons and the inside of the upper hull at the same time. Then just pick out the details, like the instructions tell you, and only then stick the floor into the hull. (And if you have already stuck it in place, then just do the same )

If you’re going to spray the outside, rather than brush-paint it, you can tape over all the openings in the hull from the inside before you glue the upper hull to the lower. Much easier that way than trying to mask it once the two are together

the side armour

That’s a sand shield It’s just sheet steel, and serves to keep the dust clouds down (a little) in the desert.

 

[scottie3158]

Steve, coming on very nicely mate, I will follow along.

 

[Si Benson]

Nice work so far Steve

 

[SteveT]

You’re doing very nicely there. Is the interior still loose? Because your best option is to paint that whole floor/firewall assembly before you glue it into the hull. An aerosol can of white primer will do nicely for that, because most of the interior of American tanks was white. Don‘t forget to do the sponsons and the inside of the upper hull at the same time. Then just pick out the details, like the instructions tell you, and only then stick the floor into the hull. (And if you have already stuck it in place, then just do the same )

If you’re going to spray the outside, rather than brush-paint it, you can tape over all the openings in the hull from the inside before you glue the upper hull to the lower. Much easier that way than trying to mask it once the two are together


That’s a sand shield It’s just sheet steel, and serves to keep the dust clouds down (a little) in the desert.

ohh sand shield, I honestly didn't know that. Thank you! also yes the interior is still loose, still need to decide if I want hatches open or closed, if closed I see no point in painting the interior. Yes I'm lazy

 

[Jakko]

If you’re going to close the hatches then there’s no point in building the interior Though, of course, it will improve your modelling skills if you do so anyway. If this were my model I’d paint the interior like I said: white primer from an aerosol can, then the details per the instructions. It’s not that much extra work now you’ve built them already anyway, and the model will look much cooler with all of the hatches open. You’ll be surprised how much of the interior is actually visible through those small openings.

 

[Tworrs]

Looking good Steve.

 

[Lee Drennen]

Nice start Steve seated front row. I am also going to take a break from the D-Day GB for a bit I’m kinda frustrated with my build at the moment.

 

[SteveT]

Little update, decided on closing the hatches as I realised last night how I should have painted the interior pieces before assembly. lol another lesson learned.
Given it a spray of dark iron, was going to use black but I thought black looked too black ..yes I'm aware of how stupid that sounds.
(as you can see, I'm still in the learning phase of using my airbrush and stuggle to get in all the areas)

 

[SteveT]

Okay, I figured lets push the boat out and try something new, so I've tried my first ever attempt at pre-shading. Never done it before but I've seen others do it.
so here is the result (no laughing at the back, I see you ) I found it quite tricky as aiming my airbrush is very hit and miss. I need some funky high tech glasses that show a crosshair for aiming it haha! so it didn't always go exactly where I wanted but it's my first try so can't expect it to be good.

 

[SteveT]

The result! Yes it's messy, yes it's not accurate, yes some bits should have been covered better and I have shading in the wrong places but you know what, I'm quite happy with the result of this for my first try at pre-shading!

 

[Si Benson]

Nowt wrong with that Steve and as long as your happy with it even better

Getting to grips with the airbrush can be tricky…practice makes perfect I reckon and I quite often practice on a sheet of scrap paper making lines or shapes and colouring them in.

 

[JR]

I agree with Si on the air brush use. I still find I miss bits .
Think the pre shading is fine, certainly gives the right impression . Getting the right amount of paint on will improve each time you do this, were always learning as we go .

 

[Tim Marlow]

Looks good to me Steve. As Si says, practice, practice, practice, it’s the only thing that works. One way to practice your aim is to print off a couple of child’s colouring in sheets and colour them in, trying to stay inside the lines. You need to build up muscle memory in your technique and practice is the only way you can do this.

 

[Lee Drennen]

Nice results Steve. I’ve never pre-shade guess I’m going have to try it.

 

[Jim R]

Looks good to me. A technique that is not easy.