Tamiya 35313 - 1:35 U.S Light Tank M5A1 w/4 Figures

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the U.S. M5A1 light tank with 4 figures

Tamiya 35313 reproduces the M5A1 – an improved version of the U.S. Stuart light tank, accepted for service in September 1942. Powered by two Cadillac engines, this nimble, fast vehicle served mainly in reconnaissance units. The kit includes four figures and hedgerow cutters mounted at the front of the vehicle, characteristic of the fighting in Normandy.

The model faithfully captures the welded and bolted turret and hull parts, giving sharp, realistic detail. The turret is notable for the additional armour shielding the anti-aircraft machine-gun position. The four figures are shown in dynamic poses, forming a ready-made combat scene.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with turret and hull featuring welded and bolted detail
• 37 mm gun and three 7.62 mm machine guns
• Additional armour around the anti-aircraft machine-gun position
• Hedgerow cutters from the Normandy period
• Vinyl belt tracks
• Four figures: anti-aircraft gun crew and a three-man mortar team
• Decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35313
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 124 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (tank with figures)

Note: This kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The hedgerow cutters mounted at the front let you reproduce the tank from the period of fighting in Normandy. The figures are best painted separately before being placed on the vehicle and in the scene.

For painting, the typical U.S. Olive Drab is recommended, matching the chosen marking option. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail and recesses benefit from a wash and dry-brushing.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M5A1 Stuart:

The M3 Stuart was the representative U.S. light tank of the early WWII period. Its improved version, designated M5A1, was accepted for service in September 1942. Powered by two Cadillac engines of about 110 hp each, it reached a top speed of around 58 km/h.

The vehicle was armed with a 37 mm gun and three machine guns, and the turret was notable for the additional armour shielding the anti-aircraft machine-gun position. From January 1943 to June 1944, around 6,800 M5A1s were built. These vehicles served mainly in reconnaissance units on the Italian and Western European fronts.

Original specifications (M5A1 Stuart):

• Length: approx. 4.34 m
• Width: approx. 2.29 m
• Height: approx. 2.31 m
• Combat weight: approx. 15.4 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 37 mm gun
• Secondary armament: three 7.62 mm machine guns
• Powerplant: two Cadillac V8 engines, approx. 110 hp each
• Maximum speed: approx. 58 km/h
• Production: 1943–1944, approx. 6800 examples

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.