I thoroughly enjoyed building the SAS 1/4 Ton jeep, and I'm very pleased at how it turned out and looks on the shelf. One of my favourites. Good luck and fun with either.

Joe

Gee ! 

 I think I would go for the Stuart first. It's a neat looking machine!

Well I've built the old M5 Stuart kit and it goes together pretty well even if it's got a few flaws. I assume this M3 is a new mold? In any case a Tamiya kit is probably going to be less trouble than a Dragon one so I'd go with it too. 

Yep, they said the M3 was new.  Thats it for me, the M3.

Est.1961

I thoroughly enjoyed building the SAS 1/4 Ton jeep, and I'm very pleased at how it turned out and looks on the shelf. One of my favourites. Good luck and fun with either.

Joe

 

I've got the armred gun jeep version (WW2) of the Dragon kit. Is it a good build?

My vote is the Stuart M3. Give us a build log too please.

The M3 dhouldn't need a lot of aftermarket--if memory serves that link-and-length track (unless I'm wrong).

Probably the only thing to nab would be some brass MG barrels, maybe a 37mm barrel.

Picking the one to model might take longer than the build, though.  The ones that stated in CONUS were pretty clean.  In SWPTO they are very worn down, although photos don't seem to show them covered in crew gear very much.  Marine examles in PTO are similarly clean and uncluttered, if covered in island dust and vegetarion.  ETO & MTO versions will have the most "stuff" on them, and you'd want good reference photos to carry that off.

I find it amusing that Dragon did not want to get o nthe wrong side of Fiat-Chrysler and use the wrd "Jeep" without permission (or paying a royalty).  There are a ton of photos of the "SAS Jeeps" and each one is a bit different.  That Dragon version looks to be better than the old Tamiya one (which had two-handle jerry cans; but did have an excellent selection of MGs).
You probably want a selection of Brit desert accessories, and both oil and erry cans.  Will pair up with Tamiyas' long-in-the-tooth LRDG Chevy truck nicely, though.

Ok,started the Stuart. So, I'm not yet into rhe Research side of it yet.  Give it time though. So far, this seems like a good fitting project - all the pieces so,far have fit really well. Seems not too complicated either. Did a little bit of looking online though and this looks like some pics - but who to believe online ?  Seems pretty good though without getting too complicated. 

Looks good!

I can see the top photo though.

I have the new Tamiya kit languishing on the "to do" pile.  It fits really well and the only things I didn't care for were the thick headlight guards, front step, and engine deck mounted antenna base.

The bogeys have uncharacteristicly un-Tamiya join lines which are a pain to fill and sand.  All the periscopes are molded shut, which while not a deficiency was disappointing.  The nylon string tow cable is another nitpick of mine, but it is useable.  I prefer stranded copper wire because it takes paint better and is MUCH easier to trim!

But I really liked the commander figure, especially the part breakdown and his final "look".

And finally we get clear headlight lenses instead of those silly solid ones.  Tamiya strives to strike a balance between detail and buildability, so this kit is more "fun" to build than more sophisticated counterparts like the AFV Club kits.

done for now - here are a couple of bad shots

had a little boo boo with the decals after i future coated them - i had taped off the side panels to hit some spots i missed above the boggies and the tape caught some of the decals - ouch!

That looks good!!! 

I can see what you mean about the decals on the sides of the hull though.