October 03, 2025

Preview update: MiniArt's 35th scale M3 Stuart Late Production - Full interior kit

MiniArt's M3 Stuart light late-production M3 with a full interior. We have the CADs, profiles, decals etch, sprue layouts, as well as the original machines that will be captured in the colour choices of the kit, all in our preview...
Preview update: MiniArt's 35th scale M3 Stuart Late Production - Full interior kit

M3 Stuart Late Production - Full Interior
From MiniArt Models
1/35th scale
Kit No #35441
Decals for three options in the box
Photo-etch included
The M3 Stuart Light Tank:
The US Army began development of a light tank in the early 1930s. After a number of models that progressively increased armour and firepower, the M3 series was initiated in July 1940. Provided to British forces as part of the Lend-Lease Act, the M3 first saw combat with British forces in North Africa in November 1941. The British found the M3 to be under-gunned but were so pleased with its mechanical performance that they nicknamed it “Honey”.

This photo shows a British M3 tank during the North African campaign, which is featured as one of the three versions in this boxing.
The M3 saw service with American forces in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in December 1941. Feedback from these actions led to improvements incorporated in the M3A1, which began production in May 1942, including the addition of a gyro stabiliser for the 37mm main gun and a power traverse for the turret. The addition of the power traverse required the turret to be fitted with a basket or floor that rotated with the turret. This was the first American tank to include such features.
The M3 also saw service with American forces during the North African Campaign. The 37mm main gun, which had proved inadequate for British forces a year before, was now even more ineffective since German armour had continued to upgrade. One veteran noted, “Popcorn balls thrown by Little Bo Peep would have been just as effective,” in reference to the 37mm against German armour. 

Following the 1st Battalion, 13th Armoured Regiment’s participation in the Battle of Kasserine Pass, the Stuart tank was relegated to the role of reconnaissance and flank security. The M3 and its successor, the M5, continued to be utilised in Europe through the end of the war.
Although poorly suited to tank warfare in Europe, the Stuart tank proved effective in the Pacific. In New Guinea and the Solomons, the Stuart served in an infantry support role. Although the 37mm gun was not ideal, the small Stuart was much more practical for jungle warfare than the much larger and heavier Sherman that largely replaced it in late 1943.

The kit from MiniArt
MiniArt's new-tooled 1/35th scale M3 Stuart – with the late production kit features, easily identifiable with that low, welded, horseshoe-shaped turret. We have several CADs below, showing you the features of the kit.

Realistic weld seams and textured armour plating are features of this kit.
The hatches on the tank and turret can be posed open or closed.
Photo-etched parts are offered for correct scale thickness and a scope for damage or removal if so desired.
TBoth simplified and detailed versions are included int he etch options of this tank.
The tall cupola is a feature of the late version.
With the parts of the roof taken away, you can see the complete interior detailing for the turret and the crew compartment – the full engine is provided in this kit also.
As we go lower, you can see the full crew compartment.
The sprue layouts of the kit in CAD below
The photo-etch that comes with the kit for the finer parts of the kit.
Marking choices:
There are six marking choices supplied in this kit. Decals are provided on a single small sheet for early Stuarts from the Commonwealth.
Three Stuarts are included in the marking choices...

This kit should be available next month from MiniArt's distributors worldwide. You can see more about this kit on the MiniArt website...