I like that a lot, what a neat looking tank,...cheers....Kenny

Thanks for all your comments guys. I read somewhere before that the basket should not be there at all but for the love of me, I could not find a reference to the correct set up. I was inspired to do this model reading Commando series comics. They're really good! I was happy with the Eduard PE of the MG barrels.  I love these tiny Stuarts. They're fun to build.

First of all, let me say that the Academy kit is a pretty good model. They just kind of skimped and mixed variants. For instance, the interior is for an M3A1 with turret floor storage boxes designed to go around the turret basket, so it's not so easy to just remove the basket to get an accurate M3 interior.

Secondly, both their M3 and M3A1 kits are virtually identical, however, there was a difference in the actual vehicles. For instance, the rear portion of the hull on an M3 is angular like the kit represents. The M3A1 had a rounded area at the rear portion of the hull, but the kits share the same upper hull.

Bottom line, they got an M3A1 interior for an M3 exterior making neither their M3 nor their M3A1 accurate. But they are still decent kits.

I don't know about the specifics but she looks great to me. Complex camo carried off perfectly and I love how the weathering came out. 

And yours isn't half bad either David

Very Nice, I did one of these a year ago, pictures below.  You did a very good job with that.  I had no idea about the basket either.  I got a PE set for this kit but after all the work on the interior, I decided to just keep it stock, it wore me out.  Well done!

I've always had a soft spot for the "Caunter" scheme vehicles and I'd say you created an impressive and visually stunning piece here Constructor. Definitely one to be proud of to have on the shelf.

Very nice Constructor!  Makes me want to go back and re-read a book I read as a kid: Brazen Chariots by Robert Crisp.  A great account of the desert war on a very personal level. 

Jeff

Really nice job

Constructor that is really cool. I think you did a great job replicating the camo. I agree, it's probably a tad dark. I don't have the exact colors, so I can't help you there. This scheme has always scared me off, but you pulled it off well.

Really I wouldn't know right from left but it sure does look good.

Tony lee

Briish Stuart Mk 1 ,alias Honey, did not have turret baskets.The turret crew stood on the transmission cover. The tank was fought by the driver aiming the vehicle roughly at the target, and the turret  then only needed to move a few degrees either way to aim the gun. Later marks which did have turret baskets frequenly had them cut out , as the crews favoured emergency exit was through the front hatches,the turret being very cramped, ,and the basket obstructed a fast departure. The Honey was a well liked vehicle as it was very reliable and speedy. Colour may be a bit dark , but the paints used came from different sources,such as the RAF , or were made up at unit level.Allowing for the fading effect of the desert sun ,you could be OK for a freshly painted tank. It certainly looks good to me.

It looks good, although I can't make a judgement on the color from a photo. They say the turret basket is wrong because the M3 didn't have one, but it is correct for the Academy M3A1 Stuart they also do. Academy did the same thing with their Tiger, produce a correct interior for one version but include the same one for both versions they make. I guess they figure even an incorrect interior is better than no interior. At least it gives folks something to start with.

Looks real nice from over here!