US Light Tank M5A1 w/4 Figures

This is a nice older kit. The level of detail is not up to today's standards, but it builds up nicely. The parts are big enough for young modelers to handle. this one also has the rubber band Tamiya tracks that glue does not like to stick to. I heated and flattened the posts in the tracks after the track ends were joined, as per instructions. Just in case, I put a staple across the join. To install the tracks, I left the side skirts and drive sprocket off until last. I threaded the track around the wheels, and then fit the drive sprocket inside the track. The drive sprocket was pressed into place. This keeps pressure off of the track join and makes it easy to slip the track in place. the skirts were added last. Why only 4 stars? it is an old mold with a bit of flash to trim off.

I recently purchased this 1/35th scale winner of the model equipped with the Cullens Hedgerow Cutter on the front. Fully aware that Tamiya really goes to great lengths to preserve history made my choice clear with this kit; place it in the hedgerows, and replace the M3 that was already shown there. After highly detailing and weathering the M5 I placed it into the battle, complete with crewmen seeking the Germans and ready to plow through the overgrowth. My diorama was immensely improved by this model. I did not use the version of the kit with the mortar crew.

This kit is similar to the Tamiya Panzer II (DAK) and the SDKFZ 251 kits. When you open it there's about four trees and it's a VERY straight forward kit. The pieces all fit together with minimal trimming or shaving. However, if you ware wanting to make a representation minus the side skirt armor, you will need to shave down two portions of the lower hull. I'm hoping to get pictures up loaded soon showing what I'm saying and save everyone the heart ache of explaining. Over all, an excellent kit and the potential is limitless given the amount of extras you can buy in the way of stowage and figure sets.