Review

This offering from MiniArt arrives in the usual manner of a cardboard tray with a separate card lid. Inside is a single sealed plastic bag containing all of the sprues with the exception of the clear one. The clear sprue is packaged in another bag, along with the photoetched fret and decals - this is a practice that I do not approve of due to the risk of damage to the decals which in this case has caused some minor creasing which will hopefully be easy to rectify. An examination of the contents reveals a large number of gates in some cases, as an example each side panel of the hull has 9 connection points and the floor panel 8. This is not a major issue, but it does mean that clean-up of removed parts needs to be tackled with care to ensure that all areas are cleaned. One thing that I will say is that the gates themselves are of a good to reasonable size and for the most part not located where you would struggle to reach them. 

The Mark 1 version of the Stuart was referred to and known as the Honey by British crews and this was said to relate to how smooth the ride tended to be, and how reliable the mechanicals were. This being an interior model, you will be working on replicating a cramped area which is small in size due to the scale. To the best of my knowledge, the internal structure of the hull and the parts replicated within it did not get altered however the radio equipment was upgraded and the vision ports improved. MiniArt has replicated some very nice parts, such as what appears to be a water canteen at the back of the vehicle near the internal radio setup. The radial engine is provided with a very good level of detail throughout, which along with the fuel tanks and exhaust ports gives the rear of this hull a very pleasing appearance, should you decide to show off the interior segments of this model. One further thing that I should mention, is that decals are provided for instrument dials where applicable. 

As you progress through the build, you will come across small details that MiniArt has included and ones that you would only really expect to find on an exceptionally high detailed release. Some of these details that caught my eye were the inclusion of items such as, battery packs for the vehicle, fuel containers, and an extremely large number of panels that can be shown open or closed, and in the belief that you have purchased an interior kit to show off, you will be having an awful lot of panels which will make painting a challenge, but the chance of a stunning finish has been built in by MiniArt. The only thing that you will need to add, would be paint, glue, a good degree of patience and finally wiring where you feel it is needed. In critique of the model, I feel the need to add bolt detail in some areas is a pain that I could happily live without. The bogie stations are again another extremely well detailed area, which while not workable do show the model off well. Part of the reason why the bogies are fixed is that the tracks are provided in a link and length format. Looking at the tracks themselves detail is of a very high quality and I see no reason for replacing them. I personally feel, that the high level of detail will satisfy the modeller who likes the detail aspect of individual track links, while those who prefer the rubber band model are provided with a better detailed quality product without the need to glue every single link together - Even I do not like that. 

With the hull assembled views of the interior cover the engine bay access panels, crew access panels and if you have the driver’s position open you can see a reasonable amount of the interior detail that you have built in. The tools mounted around the model will please everyone, as you get tools with moulded on clamp detail and another set of tools for which photo etch clamp detail has been provided. Stowage bins have been included for mounting on the exterior of the vehicle, which are not intended to be shown open, but if you take you time and add some interior detail to the opened area you could use these with whatever you want inside. Some British fuel containers have been provided for stowage on the exterior. Ariel mounts have been included, and you are provided with details on the length of the aerials required for which you can source your preferred materials. You will need to be careful, as aerials are mounted in different locations depending on the variant you are building or finishing option.

Moving onto the turret of the vehicle, one of the changes on this variant is that a cupola was often not installed. A rounded or horseshoe shaped turret, which was low welded. The internal layout is believed to have been different, but I have not been able to find specific reference. The turret in this kit is definitely different as it is a single piece moulding for the roof and side walls which is classed as a horseshoe shaped turret. Interior detail is provided vis fillets that are glued in place, and if you want to save yourself a lot of swearing make sure you add any specific parts to the panels prior to installing them into the turret, as it is a particularly small area. The main gun of this vehicle should be and is, to my knowledge, a 37mm M6 gun. A significant number of 30 Cal machine guns are littered around this vehicle, meaning that if it runs into an infantry concentration they are in for a really bad day. I have been told that the 30 Cal relates to the 7.62mm round and so penetration into hard areas should be good. Once you install the main gun into the turret, you will realise just how small an area the gunner and Commander were working in. This release has a raised roof hatch which gives anybody using the exterior mounted 30 Cal some much needed extra protection. Twin side wall smoke grenade launchers that utilise cut off 303 rifles are present. The tow cable needs to be provided by the modeller, so whatever your favourite material is crack on - MiniArt has provided the eyes for either end of the cable. 

MiniArt has provided 3 finishing options for this release, along with a very comprehensive decal sheet.

5th Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, North Africa 1942

3rd Royal Tank Regiment, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, North Africa 1942

8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, 4th Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, North Africa 1942