Jack's 1/35 Tamiya M3A2 Half Track

[Jack L]

I'm not really getting much/any bench time lately, so not sure how I will go with this. But as my first GB entry....I'll try my best.
Believe I need box and sprue shots?!



Only three for the actual vehicle. Others are for the crew who I doubt I will get round to. Also need to locate the tracks and tyres...around somewhere. Was going to go for a German option, but there are a couple already in the group so will try and add some variety.

 

[Valeron]

Looking forward to seeing this build. This was a potential entry for me in the GB.

 

[Gern]

Welcome aboard Jack. Hope you find the tyres and tracks.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Blimey Jack...
The same build as me,almost!!
Look forward to see how you get on with it

 

[Jim R]

Hi Jack
It's like I'm seeing double. I've just looked at Andy's GB entry and then up pops yours. I hope you find the tracks and wheels and also the bench time. This will make a fine model.

 

[JR]

I'm in Jack , not joining the build but as a spectator.
Good luck .

 

[Jack L]

Apologies again, I’m getting little bench time, and even less time admiring everyone else’s builds on here. I have made a little progress though: Out of the box so far, but I may try and make the interior a little more detailed. Will see how time eludes me.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Building up nicely Jack. Soon be up to paint..

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Yep,certainly coming along at a pace there Jack,
..... It sure is a fun kit to put together eh?...... always good to see how others tackle similar projects ,
Good stuff mate,
Andy

 

[Ian M]

That came together quick!

 

[Jack L]

Thanks all. It's a pretty simple build.

In attempt to make it slightly different...I'm going to go for a British version. In my limited search...there doesn't seem to be many period photo's of British variants....so while I'm sure someone will tell me it's not realistic in whatever aspect...it will essentially be out of the box, with British accessories, and a British paint job.

I forgot to photograph the latest progress...but there's not been too much!

 

[Jim R]

Looks to have come together well Jack. I like the idea of a British half-track.

 

[Jack L]

At the moment...this is the best 'reference' I can find. I wonder if anyone (@Jakko maybe?) can tell me if the Allied recognition starts would have been present or not as per this film still. I can't find too much info on the topic. Seemed to be hit and miss on British tanks, so I'm really not sure about support vehicles

 

[Jakko]

I'm going to go for a British version. In my limited search...there doesn't seem to be many period photo's of British variants....so while I'm sure someone will tell me it's not realistic in whatever aspect...

The British Army had very few, if any, M3-series halftracks, I think. British halftracks were almost exclusively M5s and their derivatives (M9A1, M14, etc.), which are different enough that you need fairly major conversion to make them. To give you an idea of how much:



All the grey parts shown here are the conversion bits needed to turn a Dragon M3 (translucent red parts) into an M5 … (This is Marcel von Hobe’s 3D-printed conversion set, available on Shapeways.)

In any case, this is fairly academic if you’re building the Tamiya kit straight from the box, because that represents an M3A2, of which only prototypes were ever made If you follow Tamiya’s guidelines in the instructions about cutting away the “ladders” (actually stowage racks) on the sides, the rear bit of the machine-gun ring-mount shield, etc. then you end up with an M3A1 that was very widely used. Chances are the British ended up with some too.

At the moment...this is the best 'reference' I can find.

That’s an M5A1, or perhaps an M9A1 (it’s impossible to tell the difference unless you can see the interior of the passenger compartment).

I wonder if anyone (@Jakko maybe?) can tell me if the Allied recognition starts would have been present or not as per this film still. I can't find too much info on the topic. Seemed to be hit and miss on British tanks, so I'm really not sure about support vehicles

It depends on the unit, basically. British Army markings were standardised fairly well, but exact placement and other implementation details were essentially up to the unit. You would certainly not be wrong if you put Allied stars on, but you also wouldn’t be if you left them off. A big star-in-a-ring on the bonnet would be pretty much guaranteed, though, for recognition from the air.

 

[Jack L]

The British Army had very few, if any, M3-series halftracks, I think. British halftracks were almost exclusively M5s and their derivatives (M9A1, M14, etc.), which are different enough that you need fairly major conversion to make them. To give you an idea of how much:

View attachment 463613

All the grey parts shown here are the conversion bits needed to turn a Dragon M3 (translucent red parts) into an M5 … (This is Marcel von Hobe’s 3D-printed conversion set, available on Shapeways.)

In any case, this is fairly academic if you’re building the Tamiya kit straight from the box, because that represents an M3A2, of which only prototypes were ever made If you follow Tamiya’s guidelines in the instructions about cutting away the “ladders” (actually stowage racks) on the sides, the rear bit of the machine-gun ring-mount shield, etc. then you end up with an M3A1 that was very widely used. Chances are the British ended up with some too.


That’s an M5A1, or perhaps an M9A1 (it’s impossible to tell the difference unless you can see the interior of the passenger compartment).


It depends on the unit, basically. British Army markings were standardised fairly well, but exact placement and other implementation details were essentially up to the unit. You would certainly not be wrong if you put Allied stars on, but you also wouldn’t be if you left them off. A big star-in-a-ring on the bonnet would be pretty much guaranteed, though, for recognition from the air.

Thanks Jakko. Really helpful. I actually scraped off the ladders without knowing that was an appropriate thing to do! I'm being weird, and not going for total accuracy, but something that looks right at a glance.

 

[Jack L]

Afraid I have been terrible with progress shots...
Construction pretty much there and primed.




And then a concoction of these...

To get a base colour I'm really happy with. Nit sure it really shows on camera though.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

Well that's certainly come along nicely
Like the kits hanging on the side rail, very natural looking!
Not familiar with the MRP paints myself,but they appear to be getting a lot of airtime,so must be good?!... Look forward to seeing this one develop mate.
Andy

 

[Jim R]

Looks very nice Jack. Like Andy I've not use MRP paint but it does seem to have a good reputation.

 

[Jakko]

Talking of colour: these vehicles would have been finished in American olive drab No. 22 (AKA No. 9) in the factory, and left in that by the British if they had no pressing need to repaint them.

 

[scottie3158]

Jack,
All looking good mate coming on very nicely.