Does anyone make the Stuart V Recce Tank?

[Dave Homewood]

Is there a 1/35 scale kit available for the Stuart V Recce tank that the New Zealand Division's Armoured Corps used in Italy? This is a Stuart V with no turret and a different top. They look quite neat and i just wondered if a kit or a conversion was available.

also, did the NZ Division use the Stuart V with the turret fitted in Italy or were all their tanks Shermans?

[30sqnatc]

The armoured regiments of the NZ Div in Italy were equipped with Shermans. Initally the Armoured Regiment (close) Reconnaissance Troops were equipped with Lynx armoured cars but after Cassino they were replaced by 11 x Stuarts. Only three had turrets.

The Divisional Cavalry had Staghound armoured cars for recon work.

Some of the story is at kiwisinarmour.hobbyvista.com/. Jeff Plowmans book 4th New Zealand Armoured Brigade in Italy is the best reference. The pictures show they were armed with .30cal MG and were modified to provide overhead protection.

See here for model with Accurate Armour conversion 70.86.163.186/gallery/5610

Here is the manufacturers page www.accurate-armour.com/showaaproducts.cfm?category=5&subcategory=38

Beware they are EXPENSIVE



Paul

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Paul. No they're not cheap are they? I might not go that way then. They do look neat but that's too much money for me, even if the Pound is so low at the moment (50p to the dollar I heard the other day).

[trx850]

Hi Dave. Just spotted your request regarding the Stuart V Recce.
Accurate Armour does the only conversion set for these, either early or late. Neither kit has the armoured roof that the Kiwis fitted to many of them

Attached are a few pics of my slowly ongoing build based on the AFV Club Stuart V kit.

I don't think the AFV Club kit is available in NZ, but reasonably cheap from Lucky Models in Hong Kong!
I managed to get two during one of their sales at $US15.00 each!

Cheers,
Pete M.

[Dave Homewood]

Very nice work Pete, please post more progress pictures in due course.