US Light Tank M5A1 w/4 Figures

The Tamiya M5A1 Tank kit was, overall, a good kit. In fact, normally I would give it a 5 star because the fit was great, instructions were clear, and overall it looks good. However, I gave it only 4 stars because there was a lot of trimming required to get rid of molding and clean up edges, something that I've never experienced with Tamiya before. This extra work wasn't a problem, but like I said, not what I'm used to from Tamiya products.

This was my first Tamiya kit that gave me problems. I've had minor ones before but this kit just kept on piling them up. Had problems with the fit and had to either cut pieces off or fill in gaps. Not what I usually have to do with a Tamiya kit. I have photos of a couple of the problems below. In spite of the problems I am happy with the result just not with the journey getting there. From the other reviews I must have gotten the cull of the crop. Hope this is a once only thing. I have switched over from German armor to American for awhile. So don't be put off by my review. You may have a better experience than me as most other reviewers seemed too.

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.