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. 

[thibaultron]

What a wonderful reason to build a model! Thank you for sharing this!

[ajromano]

On 8/26/2025 at 7:38 PM, Egilman said:

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

My kind of silly!

[ajromano]

On 8/26/2025 at 10:32 AM, brunnels said:

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.

Spray cans if you don’t want to gear up for airbrushing,

[brunnels]

On 8/26/2025 at 6:38 PM, Egilman said:

M3A1 Scout Car - early 6 holes rim wheels

I looked around, but unfortunately the only places I can find that have these early wheels in stock won't ship to the USA at the moment.  I'll keep looking but it looks like I may have to wait on the wheels. 

I recently finished up my Vanguard Speedy kit, plus the Photo Etch kit and reference book came in the mail.  So it was go time to start the M3a1.


The kit starts with building the under carriage.  I am really impressed with the fit of the parts in this kit, the pieces slot together exactly as they should with minimal to no seams.  I'm also impressed with the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement, I wish I knew about this stuff when I was into plastic scale models 20 years ago. I love that you just fit the piece where it should go and swipe the cement brush on the joint and the part is glued firm, my only complaint is the odor is very strong which makes it hard to use with a baby in the house. 
 

The start of the undercarriage. 

The first PE parts I use replaces the spring brackets on the roller on the front of the vehicle.  Just cut off the top of the piece with a knife and fold the PE part and inset it in place. 

 

Here you can see the parts installed. 


The last step on the undercarriage is adding the wheels.  I will leave those off until I know what I am doing for the wheels and they are painted.  

Next I started on the body of the vehicle. 

 

The brake, clutch, and gas pedals have a PE piece that adds a little detail to the pedals. 

 

Next were the storage containers that cover the rear wheel hubs.  The PE kit came with some insanely small pieces to make up latches for the storage hatches.  Some of the PE pieces don't seem to be a huge upgrade for how much work it takes to put these insanely small pieces together.  But I though these added some really nice detail and were a great upgrade.  




I also added some PE pieces that look to be map compartments to the sides of the doors.  



And that is where I am currently at.  I am loving how smoothly this kit goes together, the PE pieces are going to be a struggle as some are just insanely small, and the instructions take quite a bit of studying.  But I am enjoying this kit so far, it's a nice break from wooden kits that take a good investment in time.

[thibaultron]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175335227343?_skw=M3A1+Scout+Car+6+hole+wheels&itmmeta=01K59FRXJS4THZ3CCT7MCVQK5F&hash=item28d2cb3fcf:g:pOwAAOSwWgtivEAR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1ejOSTayye1qs01G3rCbsUF0XjrGoaLJ3iikEKmN0yUGuL0amYfy6FLybKgPkhxTPYAF%2Bu8j%2BpTHEDFIBJmSL59nIHQdAq798i0B2sPIAy3mCZkQOwtj%2FyMej70wAdMcSLI4R2DYyDaAGPFICQR4jW1Q9sQeQxI0lFdjrj6l1PIpwGd9ujWOnaJ6PmPV4RGK1GrtIZjR6W13C92XFzQB4qG%2BMksHVmqEZ83mUiK%2FlgpA7HB3C9C91eK8nXSQImvfM8DbAKXIrKFyJYUksYV60pe|tkp%3ABk9SR-LZ46-qZg

 

[thibaultron]

I found the above on Ebay. Are these what what you are looking for?

[brunnels]

3 minutes ago, thibaultron said:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/175335227343?_skw=M3A1+Scout+Car+6+hole+wheels&itmmeta=01K59FRXJS4THZ3CCT7MCVQK5F&hash=item28d2cb3fcf:g:pOwAAOSwWgtivEAR&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1ejOSTayye1qs01G3rCbsUF0XjrGoaLJ3iikEKmN0yUGuL0amYfy6FLybKgPkhxTPYAF%2Bu8j%2BpTHEDFIBJmSL59nIHQdAq798i0B2sPIAy3mCZkQOwtj%2FyMej70wAdMcSLI4R2DYyDaAGPFICQR4jW1Q9sQeQxI0lFdjrj6l1PIpwGd9ujWOnaJ6PmPV4RGK1GrtIZjR6W13C92XFzQB4qG%2BMksHVmqEZ83mUiK%2FlgpA7HB3C9C91eK8nXSQImvfM8DbAKXIrKFyJYUksYV60pe|tkp%3ABk9SR-LZ46-qZg

 

I saw those, but my only issue is they have bead locks where the ones in my grandfathers pic don't have beadlocks. 

[Egilman]

6 hours ago, brunnels said:

I saw those, but my only issue is they have bead locks where the ones in my grandfathers pic don't have beadlocks. 


 

Well, check these out brother....

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/172103212015?_skw=tudibaker+US+6+wheels&itmmeta=01K5A51C2WE4H5GSF9K47AF4VB&hash=item2812269bef:g:hZYAAOSwezVWwkdT&itmprp=enc%3AAQAKAAAA0FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1dPAcq5kxXbKIx%2BI9M%2BSgx%2BdadejbVBD8ltaeZCluDQSCsCtuoebQZFFECwZuD1l0vid4IWEhNr08kPkVQZLyGBdjAmXSHLlP1WDcJ65T5A7RUrJwu1sTugKEdJuRxmdu7vz64GobWGkg2eSWDMgpdbB0HJvJ%2FxiGcZcU0UkM4mgB6SOFrmA%2BGop8%2FxbCp0UeyAglzUFZeASptfYGum0OXhwcGqwBPMiUez3yAiEQYCCHEEFU3fXVgmbYQPnCqHbio%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR77ChcWqZg

 

Studebaker 6 ton wheels and tires... Same size as the M3 Scout car with the same non-beadlocked rim, and it has the proper split lug traction tire tread... Out of Virginia in the US...

 

I can't tell if they are the Goodyear or Firestone tires, but in their e-Bay store they have both versions... The tire size is a 7.5X20, the standard US truck tire of WWII...

 

I think they will ship anywhere...

 

EG

Edited September 16 by Egilman

[brunnels]

1 hour ago, Egilman said:

Well, check these out brother....

Great find, just ordered a set.  I really appreciate everyone's help on this.