binder001
Command Sergeant Major
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,729
Thanks to George Guerriero at Minuteman Toy Soldiers I just got my new M5A1 (DD67) today, along with "Reach for the Sky" figures (I'd like to be one who can get them ALL at once, but these are the two I can afford right now).
Anyway, the M5A1 is a beauty. The figures are very nice and fit the vehicle. I never had the original M5A1, so I can't state the total of improvements , but from the old ones I've seen, THIS is much nicer. The M5A1 Stuart was an important, but overlooked tank in WW2. Every tank battalion had three companies of medium tanks, and a fourth company of M5A1s. The first few M24 Chaffee appeared at the Battle of the Bulge, but wholesale replacements didn't start until 1945 and some tank units finished the war with their M5A1s.
Andy has done his usual FINE job of adding stowage and extra gear. Some may not like the suspension being cast in relief, but on this little tank it just isn't that big of a problem, especially as Andy has left the dust shields in place.
Downsides: Andy must still be working from the very mediocre Tamiya M5A1 as his sculpting master. My hint - the tracks! Andy on ALL US tanks the end connectors go BETWEEN the track blocks. That's what holds the track together. Tamiya made a common 1970s mistake of putting the connectors on the END on the block and this has carried over to all the M5A1s built using this kit as a pattern (note the 21C plastic one has the same problem). Other than that and the shape of the handle on the .30 cal hatch MG (your sculptors can do better, sir!) there isn't anything to complain about. All-in-all a very nice addition to the DDay series and coverage of an often-missing tank.
Gary Binder
Anyway, the M5A1 is a beauty. The figures are very nice and fit the vehicle. I never had the original M5A1, so I can't state the total of improvements , but from the old ones I've seen, THIS is much nicer. The M5A1 Stuart was an important, but overlooked tank in WW2. Every tank battalion had three companies of medium tanks, and a fourth company of M5A1s. The first few M24 Chaffee appeared at the Battle of the Bulge, but wholesale replacements didn't start until 1945 and some tank units finished the war with their M5A1s.
Andy has done his usual FINE job of adding stowage and extra gear. Some may not like the suspension being cast in relief, but on this little tank it just isn't that big of a problem, especially as Andy has left the dust shields in place.
Downsides: Andy must still be working from the very mediocre Tamiya M5A1 as his sculpting master. My hint - the tracks! Andy on ALL US tanks the end connectors go BETWEEN the track blocks. That's what holds the track together. Tamiya made a common 1970s mistake of putting the connectors on the END on the block and this has carried over to all the M5A1s built using this kit as a pattern (note the 21C plastic one has the same problem). Other than that and the shape of the handle on the .30 cal hatch MG (your sculptors can do better, sir!) there isn't anything to complain about. All-in-all a very nice addition to the DDay series and coverage of an often-missing tank.
Gary Binder