Home > Reviews > Britain > MiniArt Models Kit No. 35423 - Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. With Sun Shields

Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. With Sun Shields

MiniArt Models, 1/35 scale

Reviewed by Peter Brown

Summary

Title:	MiniArt Models Kit No. 35423 - Stuart Mk.I “Honey” Early Prod. With Sun Shields
Scale:	1/35
Contents:	Cast resin conversion parts for AFV Club plastic kit
Review Type:	First Look
Advantages:	Looks good
Disadvantages:	Markings and decals not 100% right
Recommendation:	Nice model of this tank

FirstLook

One of no fewer than SIX variations of M3 Stuart from MiniArt currently available - plus two more with the original riveted turret - with various combinations of parts including one with the diesel engine and some with interior detail, this is the second kit depicting British operated tanks during Operation Crusader in late 1941.

Technically it is an American “Light Tank M3” with petrol engine and D38976 hexagonal welded turret. These were known as Stuart in British and Commonwealth service. As built it was armed with a 37mm M5 gun and .30 machine gun in a coaxial mounting, one movable .30 and two fixed .30 machine guns in the hull plus another on an antiaircraft mounting on the back of the turret. The fixed guns were removed in British service and various stowage boxes were added for use in North Africa.

There are 12 grey plastic sprues including duplicates, another with clear parts and an etched brass fret. Most of these are in earlier kits. It does not have interior parts - apart from a few on common sprues - but does have the relevant desert modifications such as stowage boxes while new for this option are the “Sun Shield” parts on two of Sprue Gb.

In reality these were canvas panels over the suspension to keep dust down, the real “Sunshade” was a canvas-covered framework fitted over the hull to make a tank look like a lorry from a distance. To date I have not seen a Stuart with one in place.

This is not an easy kit to built. The outer rims on the large idlers have etched brass rims to be added. Tracks are link-and-length which is straightforward enough. Some parts are not used, for example two 37mm gun parts are provided with only one needed here which is indicated in the instructions.

Colour details and decals are provided for five options.

Three are from 4th Armoured Brigade during Crusader in the three-tone Caunter camouflage scheme with the white-red-white recognition stripes ordered for the operation:

Option 1 is CAPONE, listed as possibly 5RTR although they used names beginning with E and the tank with this serial was named CARBINE. It was probably 8th Hussars
Option 2 is CROSS-BOW listed as 3RTR although their Arm of Service marking at the time was B5 not 86 as on the decal sheet and they put it and the Division sign on the opposite sides to those shown. It was also 8th Hussars
Option 3 is BELLMAN of 8th Hussars
Option 4 is 9th Divisional Cavalry Regiment in 9th Australian Division in plain sand dated August 1942
Option 5 is a captured tank from a German towed artillery regiment in Winter 1942, originally in Caunter but overpainted plain sand.

There are many photos of Stuarts in the Desert for modellers to use as reference for other finishes.

A welcome addition for those looking for a model of a Stuart in this colourful scheme.

Peter Brown for Brett Green 23 April 2025

Text and Images by Peter Brown
Page Created 26 April, 2025
Page Last Updated 26 April, 2025