discussion 1 35 Tamiya M3a2... advice please.

[Lee W]

Morning Forum buddies,

I'm wanting to make Tamiyas M3a2 in to British/ Commonwealth rather than the usual American one.

Any tips, advice, pictures would be amazing.

I also have the M21 and M16, did the British/ Commonwealth use these?

I have found pics but they are not the best quality.

Thanks for any help

 

[Guest]

M3A2 what? Oh, halftrack … You really need to mention that when talking about American vehicles and equipment

The British/Commonwealth didn’t get many M3-series halftracks, but they did get some, so it’s an option if you remove the A2-specific bits to turn it into an M3A1 (see Tamiya’s instructions, the little bit of text to the left of the painting/marking guide: remove the rear stowage racks, the “ladders” on the sides and the rear extension to the MG ring armour). To be on safe ground you may want to backdate it to a basic M3 (that means getting rid of the ring mount and a few others details), but I’m not sure that was the only version of the APC used in the British Army.

The M21 was produced in very small numbers and used only by the US Army, AFAIK. The M16 was used by the British, but only in small numbers, to the best of my knowledge.

Most halftracks used by the British and Commonwealth armies were of the M5-series and its derivatives (M9A1, M14, etc.) because they were mechanically different from the M2/M3-series, and the US didn’t want to mix the two if it didn’t have to. However, converting an M3 into an M5 is not trivial. The grey bits here are the conversion parts:

View attachment 495876

 

[Lee W]

M3A2 what? Oh, halftrack … You really need to mention that when talking about American vehicles and equipment :smiling3:

The British/Commonwealth didn’t get many M3-series halftracks, but they did get some, so it’s an option if you remove the A2-specific bits to turn it into an M3A1 (see Tamiya’s instructions, the little bit of text to the left of the painting/marking guide: remove the rear stowage racks, the “ladders” on the sides and the rear extension to the MG ring armour). To be on safe ground you may want to backdate it to a basic M3 (that means getting rid of the ring mount and a few others details), but I’m not sure that was the only version of the APC used in the British Army.

The M21 was produced in very small numbers and used only by the US Army, AFAIK. The M16 was used by the British, but only in small numbers, to the best of my knowledge.

Most halftracks used by the British and Commonwealth armies were of the M5-series and its derivatives (M9A1, M14, etc.) because they were mechanically different from the M2/M3-series, and the US didn’t want to mix the two if it didn’t have to. However, converting an M3 into an M5 is not trivial. The grey bits here are the conversion parts:

Oops yeah about that... uh whoops!

Nice one thank you Jakko

 

[Allen Dewire]

Oh, come on Lee. just go for it. After building that microscopic floaty, this should be a breeze for you to do. You'll be able to see the parts too!!! LOL!!!...

Prost
Allen

 

[Lee W]

Oh, come on Lee. just go for it. After building that microscopic floaty, this should be a breeze for you to do. You'll be able to see the parts too!!! LOL!!!...

Prost
Allen

I think I might, seeing things won't be an issue, it'll be the sanding and cutting of bits, I can be a little bit too heavy handed! :upside:

 

[Allen Dewire]

You'll be fine Lee! Measure twice, cut once, but leave the chainsaw in the garage Buddy!!!...

 

[Lee W]

You'll be fine Lee! Measure twice, cut once, but leave the chainsaw in the garage Buddy!!!...

Hammer and chisel for me mate! Haha

 

[Guest]

I think I might, seeing things won't be an issue, it'll be the sanding and cutting of bits, I can be a little bit too heavy handed! :upside:

Lee, imagine you are caressing the thigh of your loved one..... Sorry wrong forum... Just be gentle with the saw, I now use one of the fine blade saws (see Johns shop) for most of my sawing, or if I need heavier a 'Zona' saw (medium) for heavier work.
Mike.

 

[rtfoe]

Lee, hold the handle with the tips of your fingers and lift your little pinky pointing out when sawing just like holding a tea cup. Definitely will get good results just don't let your rough toughies see you doing it. :smiling6:

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Lee W]

Lee, imagine you are caressing the thigh of your loved one..... Sorry wrong forum... Just be gentle with the saw, I now use one of the fine blade saws (see Johns shop) for most of my sawing, or if I need heavier a 'Zona' saw (medium) for heavier work.
Mike.

Thanks Mike, I'll have a nosy and yes I'll be gentle

Lee, hold the handle with the tips of your fingers and lift your little pinky pointing out when sawing just like holding a tea cup. Definitely will get good results just don't let your rough toughies see you doing it. :smiling6:

Cheers,
Wabble

Thankfully I drink coffee and coffee only!