Bolt Action M3 Stuart Light Tank – Warlord Games WWII 28mm Vehicle
Bolt Action M3 Stuart Light Tank
WWII 28mm Vehicle – The "Honey" of the Allied Armored Forces
🔥 "Sweet as Honey" – The M3 Stuart's Legacy 🔥
The rumble of engines echoed across the North African desert as British tankers prepared for battle. Inside the cramped but comfortable confines of their American-made M3 Stuart light tanks, crews checked their instruments and weapons one last time. Despite being outgunned by the German panzers, the Stuart offered something precious in the harsh desert conditions – reliability.
As the tank commander gave the order to advance, the Stuart's Continental radial engine responded immediately, propelling the vehicle forward with surprising agility. "This little honey handles like a dream," remarked one British sergeant, unknowingly coining the affectionate nickname that would stick with the Stuart throughout the war. Fast, dependable, and with a smooth ride that was rare for armored vehicles of the era, the M3 Stuart would earn the respect of Allied tankers across multiple theaters of war.
Add Agile Armor to Your Force 🔧
Bolster your Allied forces with the nimble and reliable M3 Stuart light tank, a staple of American, British, and other Allied armored units throughout World War II. Highly mobile and mechanically dependable, the Stuart earned its "Honey" nickname from British crews who appreciated its smooth ride and operational reliability.
This detailed plastic kit allows you to build one M3 Stuart light tank with multiple configuration options. Though primarily designed for reconnaissance after early war experiences showed its limitations in tank-vs-tank combat, the Stuart remained valuable throughout the conflict, particularly excelling in the Pacific Theater where Japanese anti-tank capabilities were limited.
Fast, versatile, and produced in large numbers, the M3 Stuart was the first American tank to engage in tank-versus-tank combat in World War II. Whether supporting infantry, conducting reconnaissance, or engaging enemy armor when necessary, the Stuart provides your Bolt Action force with a cost-effective light armor option that can fulfill multiple battlefield roles.
✨ Key Features:
- Versatile Light Tank - Perfect for reconnaissance and infantry support
- Multiple Variants - Build with rounded or plate turret options
- Weapons Options - 37mm main gun plus up to 5 machine guns or flamethrower
- Customization - Optional external fuel tanks and sand guards
- Multi-National Use - Suitable for US, British, Soviet or Chinese forces
- Historical Accuracy - Authentic details for 1940-1943 combat operations
📊 Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Crew | 4 (Commander, Gunner, Driver, Co-Driver/Bow Gunner) |
| Weight | 12.7 tons |
| Length | 14 ft 10 in (4.53 m) |
| Width | 7 ft 4 in (2.24 m) |
| Height | 7 ft 6 in (2.30 m) |
| Main Armament | 37 mm M5 gun (later M6 gun) |
| Secondary Armament | Up to 5 × .30-06 Browning M1919A4 machine guns |
| Engine | Continental W-670-9A, 7 cylinder air-cooled radial, 250 hp |
| Operational Range | 70 miles (110 km) |
| Maximum Speed | 36 mph (58 km/h) on road |
📦 Box Contents
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Main Kit | 1 plastic M3 Stuart Light Tank |
| Turret Options | Rounded turret variant and plate turret variant |
| Weapons | 37mm main gun and options for 5 machine guns or flamethrower |
| Additional Equipment | External fuel tanks and sand guards |
| Documentation | Assembly instructions |
⏳ M3 Stuart Combat Timeline
Production begins on the M3 Stuart, designed as a direct upgrade to the obsolete M2 light tank, featuring thicker armor, modified suspension, and an improved recoil system.
British forces receive their first shipments of M3 Stuarts via Lend-Lease, promptly deploying them in North Africa against Rommel's Afrika Korps. British crews nickname it "Honey" due to its smooth ride and reliable performance.
The Stuart sees its first tank-versus-tank combat in World War II when a platoon of five Stuarts engaged Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks in the Philippines, establishing the Stuart as effective against Japanese armor.
After encountering superior German tanks in North Africa, British forces recategorize the Stuart for reconnaissance duties rather than direct tank combat. Various specialized variants emerge, including the Stuart Recce, Kangaroo, and Command versions.
The Stuart proves highly effective in the Pacific Theater, where Japanese forces lack significant anti-tank capabilities. Its speed and reliability make it valuable in jungle terrain where heavier tanks struggle to operate effectively.
Production gradually shifts to more advanced models, but the Stuart continues to serve effectively in secondary theaters and reconnaissance roles until the war's end, with a total of 5,811 units manufactured.
Combat & Conversion Variants
The M3 Stuart proved to be a versatile platform that saw numerous field modifications and purpose-built variants throughout the war:
Stuart Recce
A reconnaissance variant with the turret removed to reduce weight and profile, resulting in improved speed and operational range. This modification was particularly popular with British forces for scouting operations.
Stuart Kangaroo
Converted into an armored personnel carrier by removing the turret and using the internal space to transport infantry. This provided valuable protected transport capability for specialized operations.
Stuart Command
Fitted with additional radio equipment to serve as a mobile command post, allowing field commanders to coordinate actions while remaining protected and mobile near the front lines.
Flamethrower Stuart
Equipped with a flamethrower in place of one of the machine guns or the main gun, particularly useful in the Pacific Theater for clearing Japanese bunkers and defensive positions.
🎮 Gaming Possibilities
The M3 Stuart offers multiple tactical options for your Bolt Action battles:
🏜️ North African Campaign
Deploy your Stuart alongside British 8th Army forces in the Western Desert, using its speed to outflank German positions or conduct vital reconnaissance before your main armored thrust.
🌴 Pacific Theater Operations
Support US Marine or Army units in jungle environments where the Stuart's reliability and firepower made it highly effective against Japanese infantry with limited anti-tank capabilities.
🔎 Reconnaissance Missions
Use the Stuart's speed to conduct forward scouting, identify enemy positions, and provide early intelligence on opposing force deployments before your heavier armor arrives.
🔥 Infantry Support
Provide direct fire support for your infantry units with the Stuart's 37mm gun and multiple machine guns, particularly effective against enemy infantry positions and light vehicles.
🛠️ Conversion Projects
Convert your Stuart into one of its many variants using the kit's flexibility - remove the turret for a Recce version or create a Command vehicle for your force's HQ unit.
🏆 Objective Capturing
Utilize the Stuart's speed to quickly seize objectives early in the game, establishing a foothold before the enemy can respond with heavier armor or anti-tank weapons.
Ready to Add Fast-Moving Armor to Your Force?
Add this versatile M3 Stuart light tank to your collection today and bring this iconic "Honey" of a tank to your Bolt Action battlefields!
ADD TO CARTOur brands
