M3A1 Scout Car by brunnels - Tamiya - 1/35 - PLASTIC

[brunnels]

I haven't built a plastic model kit in 25 years, so this build log will start off as a bit slow as I will be doing some research on new techniques and tools used in plastic scale modelling, and also doing some research on the M3A1.

My grandfather served in the US Army during the Second World War with the 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop who were attached to the 6th Armored division.  When I was youngster in the 90's, he would often pick me up and take me to museums which really kick started my life long interest in military history. He never talked much about his time in the war, so I never really new much about his time in the service other than he served as a radio operator in a light armored vehicle, but I never knew what kind of vehicle that was.

Recently we were cleaning my late grandmothers house out and we came across some photos from the War, one of the photos was a very small photo of him next to an M3A1.  I decided instantly that I was going to have to build a scale model of the M3A1.

Photo of my grandfather

I did a little research and the consensus online seemed to be that the Tamiya kit was hard to beat.  I also ordered a Vallejo US Army paint kit as I don't have many paints for this era.  I also have on order a Photo Etch detail set made by Passion Models, and a book on the M3A1 to use as a reference. 



I will probably look for either a US Armor decal or stencil kit, as the Tamiya kit has mainly Soviet decals with a few US Army Italian campaign decals which might work with a little cutting.  Also not sure if I should purchase an airbrush, I don't use one on my ship modelling, but I remember back in my scale model plane days that it was a great tool to have.

[Egilman]

Nice! Especially with a family reference...

I would also get a set of these....

 

M3A1 Scout Car - early 6 holes rim wheels

 

If you really want to match the vehicle in the pic... An early US issued M3A1

 

I will be following along.....

 

EG

[Old Collingwood]

Im in too - looking  forward to this one.

 

OC.

[brunnels]

14 hours ago, Egilman said:

 

M3A1 Scout Car - early 6 holes rim wheels

 

If you really want to match the vehicle in the pic... An early US issued M3A1

Browsing that site for M3A1 parts, I am amazed by how much stuff there is available for plastic kits nowadays.  I will have to do some research on how to tell early vs late models.