AFV Club M5A1 Stuart (Early) WIP

[bigjohn]

I think I just diagnosed myself with AMS ( Advanced Modelers Syndrome ). I find myself starting new builds without finishing current projects first, lol.

Seeing as I’m the campaign leader of the light tanks camping on Armorama, I figured I better get mine done. So I switched over to this little build for a while.

This is AFV Clubs M5A1 (Early) kit. This kit packs a lot of detail, but it does present some fit issues. Lots of dry fitting and correcting are needed before committing the parts to glue.

One down side is that the kit supplies 2 different kinds of solid road wheels, but only enough for one side, plus they are hollow on the back side so I am using Formations road wheels to correct this issue.

Here is a good review of the kit,

www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/afvclub/afv35105.html


And here is the Campaign on Armorama if any one is interested.

www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Campaigns&file=index&req=showcontent&id=508

Build Thread,

www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=178623&page=1


Thanks for looking and I hope you find this enjoyable.

[406 Silverado]

Off to a good start John. Good to see another light tank being blogged

[robbo]

Nice start John and great little subject too

[Thom]

John this is looking good so far, nice to see this one being done. I am going to keep watching this one for sure.

Cheers,
Thom

[zlikovac]

Yessssss, another one Stu! Tell me BJ, what you planed for a tracks?

[bigjohn]

Thanks Guys!

Yessssss, another one Stu! Tell me BJ, what you planed for a tracks?

I'm going to use the kit tracks with this one. Trying to keep it OOB as much as I can.

My plans are to weather this with AK products, so I'm going to use this as a practice model for the Olive green weathering so I can have a better handle on it when it come time to paint my Jumbo Sherman.

[rm6239]

John

Will be watching this one mate, are those yellow wheels part of the kit or extras?

cheers

Rossco

[TRM]

Nice one BJ!!! Count me in!!! You are off to a great start!

[bigjohn]

Thanks Guys!

Rossco, they are replacemnt wheels from Formations.

[bigjohn]

A bit of an update.


Lower hull is pretty much done, except for some clean up to get rid of all the little fuzzyies. Next up is the turret, this part shouldn’t take to long.

The kit has a lot of really nice detail, but I think they kind of dropped the ball with the pioneer tools. They are so so. But trying to keep this OOB as much as I can I decided to go ahead with the kit tools.

[tonylee]

Those tools are just fine BJ. You should see what the Alan kits have in them.

Tony

[Deleted]

I'll sit quietly at the back,and watch this littl'un spring to life,if thats all right BJ?

[406 Silverado]

huh...what happened to myy comment...damn pc.

very nice and clean BJ. lots of tools to paint there

[bigjohn]

Thanks for all the nice coments guys. I'm glad you like the tools, but that shovel looks nothing like a US issue WWII shovel, (((LOL)))


CB, pull up a chair mate, no need to sit in the back. ;D

[spud]

oh coming along nicly bj

[bigjohn]

Here’s a little update. Getting closer to paint. I still have a few small details to add. As you can see, I have one grouser installed on the turret. Those things are a royal pain in the rear. I have about 7 out of 30 assembled and the ends keep breaking trying to cut them from the sprue. I might have to add some crew gear to cover up the broken ends.

[TRM]

Looking good BJ!!! Close to paint eh?

[406 Silverado]

sorry to hear about the breakage BJ

yeah, almost ready for paint eh

[armorguy]

One of my favorites this AFV Stuart ! Nice build, and oh yes I know how hard it can be cutting fine parts off. AFV has incredible fine parts but removing them means deep trouble...

[wouter]

Hi BJ, this seems like a nice and clean build mate, lookin' forward for more!

Cheers

[bigjohn]

Finally got the small details clean up and gave it a bath. Paint goes on this week end.....Yeah baby! ;D

[johnt]

Nice build BJ. Bring on the paint!

Cheers
JT

[tonylee]

It's after High noon so "Where's the Beef?"

Neat little turtle top BJ
Tony

[AndyArgent]

Nice lookin build John.

[bigjohn]

Thank you fellas!

Got the base color sprayed on this week end. I’m using Model Master Enamels on this one, so progress might slow down a little as I wait for layers to harden. Next up is to do some detail painting, and then spray on a clear coat in preparation for the decals.

[406 Silverado]

all right...we've got paint. Very cool shade of green John. I haven't used those paints in years.

[bigjohn]

Thanks Rob! The shade is a little more greener in person. The lighting and camera makes it look a little more on the brown side.

This is also my first time at color modulation. I don't think I have enough contrast between the shades, but I'm happy with it.

[406 Silverado]

The fun part has started John, all fun now.

[bigjohn]

Thanks Chris,

I have a big ol pile of AK products to try out on this.

[rm6239]

John

Love the colour and I'm a big fan of colour modulation that isn't too in your face, yours is exactly what I try to aim for.

Looking forward to more.

cheers

Rossco