Review
This offering from MiniArt in 1/35th is packaged in the usual style, with a cardboard tray and a separate card lid. The instruction booklet is loose inside and the mouldings are provided in a single plastic bag which in turn has a bag contains a clear sprue, photo etch fret and decals. This is one of the aspects of the production that I am disappointed with. Looking over the contents, there is no real moulding issues to speak of, access for removal of parts is reasonable. However, as is common with MiniArt releases there are some exceedingly fine parts that may be broken or lost during removal.
This offering of the Stuart does not have an interior, so the build is a much quicker process. But it does mean that all of the open hatches that are provided separately will need to be closed or the modeller will need to put something to obscure the view. The design of the model is what I would think of as flat pack, and so construction could prove very difficult as regards alignment of parts. However, the hull of the model is rescued by the inclusion of the firewall between the crew compartment and the engine bay, as this provides you with a positive location. This flat pack design has allowed for the replication of exquisite detail on both faces of the mouldings, even though in this case the interior not included. Just about every single panel that you will add to the hull, is in this flat pack style. As it is dark inside the hull, the driver and radio operator’s vision ports can be open or closed, and a figure used in these locations will hide the interior from view. One of the aspects that I am not keen on in this release, is that bolt head detail needs to be added one at a time around the turret rim.
The bogey units for this release are quite complex, and add an excellent level of detail, and as the bogies can be assembled prior to adding the wheels in the case of the road wheel units they can be left off in an aide to painting as regards the road wheels. The tracks for this release are the link and length design, and in some ways this is the best compromise between those who prefer rubber bands and those who prefer individual tracks. The track guards are provided with good detail, and so unless you are hoping to place your model on an uneven surface you have a perfectly representative set of tracks. Taking a close look at the tracks, I am very pleased with the detail on both the inner and outer surfaces. The title of this model referring to sunshields should actually be sand shields and due to these being added quite late in the construction process they will aid with the painting process. For those modellers who do not want the sand shields added, the standard side shield is also provided.
The main gun of this release is supplied as a single piece moulding, and also has a very complete breech. Of particular note is the machine gun mounted next to the main gun, and the ammunition belt that feeds over the top of the barrel to the MG, plus the spent cartridge receiver all being present add wonderful detail that can be seen through the upper hatch. The turret itself, is also manufactured using a flat pack design, which again allows for excellent moulded detail to be present. But this does mean that the modeller will need to make sure they take care to clean the parts up properly and place them in the correct position. However, the turret is a God sent for the modeller as a lot of the interior detail is included allowing the large upper hatch to be open and a single figure hiding the lack of interior detail.
MiniArt has provided 5 finishing options for this release:
Probably 5th Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division Western Dessert, 1941
3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division Wester Dessert Operation “Crusader”, Autumn 1941
8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, Western Dessert Operation “Crusader”, Autumn 1941
9th Australian Divisional Cavalry Regiment, Western Dessert, Egypt, August 1942
Unidentified Company of Towed Guns, Deutches Afrika Korps, Winter 1942 (British Camouflage Kunter painted over)