M3A1 Stuart then and now...

[zlikovac]

OK guys, i must started this post be cause this act will push me to work on something other then Panzer IV
Basic idea is show some real tanks, who served honest from the point of view of this owner country, and then is just ordinary rusty wreck, without any care. This not be only one model in this "self build".
In my town, out side of museum, exist one M3A1. Couple years before his look like this:



All picture in present day is property of Mario Raguz, and i must say one big "Thank you Mario for this picture!"
I was realy hooked for this picture, graffiti, rust, election poster, all maddens of this days! But i don't find this election poster and this side of Struart is same like target side! I was mad about it...
Another chance is on second set, Marios too, from Sarajevo museum. Again rusty plus very good autumnal ambient plus same modification on mantlet like on target. Yeahhh!






For addition, i give from Mario another picture of Struart, near Sarajevo, on Jahorina.
Again same mod, but not attractive ambient, OK, good picture, good detail.






This is target:



Its Yugoslav partisans Struart in Trieste, Italy, 1945.

Please, no political comment, I'm not communist, it just something from the past. But this is part of history, too.

Basic idea is:
Right half of tank is partisan in Trieste
Left half is present day wreck.
When i say half, this is real half, interior and exterior

Ohh, i forgot, this is very nice Academy kit, my new girl, till the piggy come ;D
OK, what you think fella? Does exist cure for this madness? ;D
Any, any comment from Struart expert is welcome!

[TRM]

Now we are talking Z!!!!

1/2 -n- 1/2 Brilliant!!! ;D

The pics are sweet!!! No worries on any comment Bro...History is correct, even more so Your history!!

Nice this is your "new girlfriend" until the "Piggy" arrives!! LOL!!!

Count me in!!!! This Sir looks to shape up to an excellent project!!!

[406 Silverado]

Love the idea Z. The pics are fantastic. I like the rusty side most. I'll be following this for sure, can't wait to see the first pics.

[armorguy]

Zlic, I like the idea !!! But to be honest I will prefer the rusty half (LOL) ! I wish you as much fun as I have now building and painting the Dodge.
I've built this kit in the past and added an upgrade set from Eduard. As far as I can remember it was a perfect fit.
Good luck, you will succeed !

[Mence]

What wonderful pictures Z, they really capture the atmosphere, look forward to seeing this take shape...

[zlikovac]

Thanks for response guys

Well, in fact, in military barracks in my town lay about 50 tanks. Many of this tanks is pure rusty diamond, but from some reason i was impressed by Struart. I love this track, rubber is almost completely is gone.
Why partisan tank? This "Struart" part of history is missing for me, but i blame S. Zaloga, and book about Struart. Just in the moment everyone will make some partisan modification, every one talk about this... Its US hybrid from UK service, still in olive green, but over painted with so many communist paroles, Slovenian flag and mark, but original serial number and old parole is still visible. How i can miss this?
For rusty side i see Brazilian struarts, totally rusty, totally, but wit this tank i don't have connection, i don't know story. Totally half-half project will be interested for me, and you guys, i hope.
BTW, i prepare for this one year, picture, book, Eduards, similar...
Piggy, my "old one" is still on the road, hungry, without any plastic car for dinner, LOL.
Now is time for some modification...

[zlikovac]

Lets make opening move.
What a nice kit, fitting is perfect.




Today theme is texturising of road wheel.
Two way, one for museum, one in operational vehicle.
Lowest is oprational, middle is museum, top one is for testing.


All wheels give 2 layer of surfacer



Museum give one bonus layer, crackle paint to simulate destroyed rubber.



I know, its small update, but i must...
What you think?

Cheers

[tonylee]

Interesting project,before and after.

Tony

[robbo]

Very interesting

[406 Silverado]

ooooh WIP pics , very nice start there Z. The wheel detail will pay off later when the painting is underway.

[johnt]

Hi Z, the stuart is one of my favourite tanks, this 1/2 and 1/2 project will be very cool!!

Cheers
JT

[zlikovac]

Thanx for response fella!
Rob, yes i dream this way for rubber, and i must try this
I think will be very good in later stage.
Dicky, ;D oh yeah, i catch one mode like drunker catch fence. My combination is 2 second, F22, ISO 200 and for must, foto-stand.
I choose way without blitz, only indirect lihgt. Only what i dont have is serious light, but i planed this too. Couple cheaply lamps will solve problem. I hope.
JT, now i know who is my victim for borring question. Your fault man ;D

Still waiting for Pepe le Piggy
Cheers

[zlikovac]

True, but for all 3 meals, be cause January is for Serbs and pigs same like Thanx giving for US and turkeys. But this massacre in US is for one day, there is month, hehhhehe.

[Scott Girvan-Email Not Valid]

COol! Nice texturing on those wheels.

[armorguy]

The texture will show off after painting, good you've done this part !

[edi]

good start Z...! and nice idea !

can wait to see more

[TRM]

Missed your update from yesterday Z..sorry buddy!!! Looking real nice getting started there fella!!! Like the texture on them wheels!! Keep it going!!!

[406 Silverado]

yep, interesting way to get the effect...good thinking Z my man. You done yet....((LOL)) So where are the chickens going to be in this tank !!!!oh wait, a pig right ((LOL))
love what your doing bro..keep it going. I'll have to dig out my Acadamy kit some day and finish the model.

[zlikovac]

I have too much pictures, and i will










Still in progress. Next time, internal instalation and tracks.
Cheers

[zlikovac]

Thanks guys for support.
By my opinion its still best kit for M3A1, only i dont know for Accurate Armour.
All this modification is almoust minor. Interior, as always, could be point of dead, depend of references.

Cheers

[armorguy]

You're doing a fine job Zlik ! Good reference is a must and it can make you go crazy as well !

[Thom]

Z that is looking great my friend, looking forward to seeing how the road wheels finally turn out.

Cheers,
Thom

[wouter]

Great work Z! This should be a great build. Nice scratchin' on the inside!

Cheers

[TRM]

Nice bit of progression at this Z!!! Looking great...keep it coming!!!

[406 Silverado]

Awesome progress on this little guy there . Love the scratch details. Won't be long til the paint goes on, eh

[zlikovac]

Thanx guys.
I have one dilema about granade regal, boxes or round shaped regal?
What is corect for this hibryd late type?
Rob, in this case, im very confused when to start with paint? Seriously! I planed 2 completly diferent style, diferent primer, detail, almoust all. But very soon, i hope!

[zlikovac]

Just for yours information, I AM BACK!!! ;D ;D ;D
Like i promise long ago, we will play this game again!
I start again this project and picture will follow in next couple days
Round for all in bar!

[spud]

Welcome back Z.

[bbd468]

Cool little build Z!

Gary

[Deleted]

Hi,
not sure how I missed this one...! As a Stuart fan, your doing an excellent build there, really looking forward in following your progress.