Building the Tamiya US M3A2 Halftrack (1/35 scale model)

The M3 halftrack was widely used by the US and Allied forces during WW2. Tamiya recently re-released this old (1975) kit - how does it fare today? In this video I build the kit and the nine included figures - in the next video I will paint and weather everything.
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0:00 Intro & reference images
6:44 M3 half-track versions
9:18 Building the M3A2
15:38 Figures

[@nickbutler7935]

I enjoyed building this back when it was first released here in the U.K., and still enjoyed building them again many years later.

[@ModelNerd]

Always a fun build! :)

[@MikeUSA67]

I've built all three (M3, M21, m16) in the mid 80s - and I still have them 🙂Last year the M21 went through a thorough restoration and improvement process, and maybe this year I can tackle the other two. Back then I really loved all three kits very much, and to be honest, I still do!

[@jonelson1983]

I remember building this about 30 odd years ago! It was a hell of a lot of kit for the money at the time, loads of figures and stuff included.

[@ModelNerd]

Yep, love that about Tamiya. Many kits include a stowage sprue, some gear, etc.

[@user-mu8ho3tt7p]

Your video brought back a lot of great memories from my middle school years ,1975-78. Me n my friends would come over to my parents apartment n spend all day Saturday building n detailing monogram tanks, half-tracks, both German n allies armored vehicles. Think I will pick up a few to model!!

[@ModelNerd]

Great memories! Give it a go! It's still a great way to relax.

[@GorillaCrewWarGaming]

Just finished my vintage, motorized Corals Sea kit and started this exact kit. So far I noticed there are tons of parts.... Having fun, though.

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, you get the parts that a wheeled vehicle would have, and the parts a tracked vehicle would have - double trouble!

[@scaleffect]

Looks like a nice change of pace. Really enjoy watching anything you build. Great progress so far.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it! Painting coming "soon" :)

[@jonr6680]

Maybe someone has already said this but channel host has the BEST ASMR VOICE!! Modelling great, then relaxation bonus!

[@stevie65able]

Halfway through the video you almost expect to hear "now listen to the soothing sounds of the rainforest while drifting off in a deep meditation"...

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, thank you :)

[@typhoon2827]

My mate got this kit back in the late 80s. I covetted it! And his Churchill. I've since built the Churchill. Need this half-track now 😅

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely you do!

[@paulsmodels]

The movie, "Kelly's Heros" has a half track in it with a large calibre gun in the back. Nice build video!

[@ModelNerd]

Ah yes, I think I remember

[@StevenPotts-ij9ue]

Yes thanks for returning to a military vehicle theme, I for one really do enjoy them. The kits that you build are also generally available so we can all have a go, should we wish. There seems to me to be a lot of negativity these days about older Tamiya kits which in my humble opinion are still very good today, keep them coming, Steve.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you. And yes, agreed - nowt wrong with them at all. And who can afford a (these days) £60 or £70 kit every build?

[@BasicModelling]

Very good, Sir.. :)

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you

[@edhorst7212]

Built this kit back in early/ mid sixties, amount of figures included was bang for the low price then with paper delivery helped purchase.. finding many military figures , vehicles now while purging since moving, yeah it’s all coming with us

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, I remember seeing all these in the hobby shop when I was a kid. Definite value for money.

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

I used tissue paper to make the tarpaulin and paint it using enamel paints that gets absorbed by the tissue and looks realistic

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I did that on my first attempt for this kit, but messed it up (I forget how, but it didn't look right). And by that point, I'd run out of tissue paper :)

[@AB-mw8oz]

I love these old Tamiya kits, their Quality, even for today is top notch. My only gripe and it's not a major one is often generic decals. Non-specific markings that could be accurate. I've bought myself the T-62A and it's markings just seem generic Soviet c.1960s. So i bought some aftermarket decals and doing it in the colours of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan during their offensive against the Taliban in the aftermath of the September 11th Attacks

[@ModelNerd]

Agreed - it's a shame they are so generic

[@typhoon2827]

Omg, just got in from work, poured a large glass of wine and see that Nerd *and* Greg have new videos out! Hurray. KZbin's finest!

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, thank you :)

[@goforitpainting]

Cool model. 👏

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

Hi there. The Half Track is looking great. It is still a great kit after all these years. I built one in the 1980's. You have to put the figures in one way, or they won't fit. I like the guy leaning over showing the other guy his watch. I have one to build myself. As far as a trailer goes. You are in luck. Miniart have just brought out a US WW2 Cargo Trailer kit. Kit number 35443. They also do 2 other versions of the trailer. A Water Tank one and another cargo one. They cost about £19. It would be ideal to be towed by the Half Track.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Andy. Yes, I quite like these figures too. I'll have to check out those Miniart kits.

[@MikeUSA67]

Thank you Andy for the info - instantly went on my wish list!

[@Nick-senese1977]

Just watched the video. Fantastic stuff. Loved it and some great ideas and will be investing in a kit soon

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate!

[@Nick-senese1977]

@@ModelNerd my absolute pleasure

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

I built these in the late 1970s with the 81mm Mortar, the "Meat Chopper" with the 4x .50cal Machine guns and the " normal version, but i did convert one to put a 105mm gun in it as used in North Africa at the battle of Keserine Pass.

[@ModelNerd]

Cool! I'll have to look up some images of that!

[@wakachangimightyfinebeer373]

Good timing - I’m just building the M16 version at the moment…

[@ModelNerd]

Cool! Enjoy, and thanks for watching!

[@stevie65able]

Warriors made a 75mm GMC conversion set many years ago (early 2000's). Still available on Ebay, but hard to find. I think it was originally a mould from Kendall Model Corporation-long defunct.

[@ModelNerd]

Great info-thanks

[@masudaharris6435]

Great video. An average person is 7.5 head-lengths tall, but Tamiya's figures are considerably less. And their out-of-scaleness is especially evident in kits like this with an open compartment. Still, before Tamiya came out with their Military Miniatures series (early 70s), there was nothing comparable.

[@ModelNerd]

For sure. Their new figures (the very latest) are another step forwards in terms of fit (and size!)

[@davidpowell6098]

Mini Art have released some US Army trailers, quite a variety, too.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks David. I will have to keep an eye out for those.

[@paulhennessy5627]

A very useful source for the M3 half-tracks is Tom Gammoms volumes from Barbarosa Books. They do focus on Israeli variants, but he provides a useful history to the "originals" and their key distinuishing features. As always another cracking build and once again providing me with loads of inspiration for stash reduction.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you, Paul. I will have to look those up.

[@tonyrobinson362]

They are basically all M3s nice vlog well done.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@IanPotts-lv6os]

Hi are you the actor Tony Robinson

[@nickclaydon2488]

Tamiya have re-released the M16 version. I have bought several of all the Tamiya versions for my stash.

[@ModelNerd]

I'll keep an eye out for it

[@JuergenGDB]

Wooot 2nd here.. LOL I love the M16/M3 Halftack. I could not imagine being on the receiving end of this monster. I served in the USMC Infantry and would have to say, there are few places to give adequate cover from x4. 50 Cal guns blazing in your direction.

[@JuergenGDB]

As far as camouflage, They did sometimes spray an Olive Drab/Khahki color over the base dark green in large stripes. (Pacific) You are right they did use Black in the ETO.

[@ModelNerd]

Yeah, not where I'd like to be at all

[@ModelNerd]

I think they also used a yellow sand colour on some vehicles in Italy, so that's another option

[@JuergenGDB]

@@ModelNerd For sure, can't wait to see it. Cheers!

[@DutchDaveModels]

Halftracks are a good reason to pack them to the rim with figures and stowage and tarp 💥👍💥

[@ModelNerd]

For sure!

[@tomtruesdale6901]

Great job on the model. Interesting that the model is of a vehicle that wiki says was never built. I am pretty sure you will do an excellent job on the build, painting and hopefully a diorama.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! I'll try!

[@basilbean5085]

If it's off any help, Miniart do some superb ''Ben Hur'' cargo trailers.

[@ModelNerd]

Ah yes, I saw those in my local shop recently

[@alankeith7866]

Dragon has also come out with these variants, including the 75mm GMC. Of course, they're probably over engineered and have very confusing instructions...😁

[@ModelNerd]

It wouldn't be Dragon otherwise :)

[@simonmowatt]

I think Dragon has more versions of the half-track, including the GMC. They look to be good kits.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - I'll check them out. You can always rely on Dragon for interesting versions of vehicles!

[@user-oi4xx1jp6k]

Dragon has the m3 gmc in 1/35 scale

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, good to know

[@riff2072]

1:26 I believe Dragon has a halftrack kit with the 75 AT Gun. I have built this kit 3 times. In three different decades. 😀

[@ModelNerd]

Good to know, thank you :)

[@Spur1Denmark]

The 75 mm version was done by Dragon, prod.no. 6467. I've built all the subassemblies, and I had a great time :) So, it can be recommended, thus far.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you

[@rutgaurxi7314]

Any idea if you will convert or change up the crewmen or other models with the half-track in any way, or do you intend to leave them as they are?

[@ModelNerd]

I will probably leave them as they are, as my attempts to altering figures haven't been great so far. However, I do have a couple of extea figures I might add in...

[@theplasticsurgeon1956]

the M16 was re-released at the same time

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - I thought so

[@Rpantherluzero]

Quick build, an old kit, but still nice

[@ModelNerd]

For sure

[@Rpantherluzero]

Great job

[@Keeldem]

I believe the sitting crew member you left off is showing his squad leader his watch which I always believed was part of planning a raid or attack but i could be wrong as i built this model 40 + years ago

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, good interpretation. I was imagining he was showing off his new 'find' :)

[@steve1315]

Old but still got it 👍👍

[@ModelNerd]

Definitely!

[@KGmodels]

Amazing Stu,where did you get all these images from,I always struggle to Find any image that is not a knocked out one.Anyways,could I Please have Like 1 or 2 questions for my own Q&A,as I just need about that much to finish off the video,and it would be amazing to have questions from the first modeller I watched when getting back into the hobby!Thanks a lot Stu and obce again looks pretty cool honestly just for a halftrack! ;)

[@ModelNerd]

Most of the images I get from WorldWarPhotos.info. For the Q&A, sure, go ahead. Do you want to email me (address on the About tab)?

[@KGmodels]

Nah,you can just write the question here in the comments for me!

[@ModelNerd]

Can you give me a bit more info about the kind of thing you're looking for?

[@KGmodels]

Hey Stu,I just want you to ask me a question for my own Q&A video,something Like What is your favourite paint (although someone has already used that question),basically any question towards me about modelling for me to answer in my video I will do later this month.

[@ModelNerd]

@@KGmodels Ah, ok. Gotcha. How about what was the first model you built, what is your favourite subject to build / which subject have you built the most of, what would be your dream kit (subject & scale), and what is your favourite local (not online) model store? That's a few in case any were already asked :D

[@stuartmiller8053]

forgot what a great kit this was. doesn't italeri do a single 1/35 trailer kit? that would make it like the old airfix 1/72 on steroids! looking forward to the end result. thanks stu

[@ModelNerd]

Cheers Stu - I'll have to look that up

[@peterbrown3608]

I do remember reading somewhere that the version portrayed by Tamiya, with the ladders on the side, was a prototype and never went into production with those on the side. So it's a bit odd that Tamiya decided to do a kit with them molded on the side.

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, an odd choice indeed. Especially given the note on how to backdate it to a M3A1 (I wonder if that was introduced in later releases once they realised their mistake?)

[@peterbrown3608]

@@ModelNerd I went to have another look, to see if I could find what I'd originally read, instead I found some which stated that they aren't actually ladders (although the way they're depicted on the model they look like it), they're some kind of 'racks', but I don't know how they would have worked. But still, I'm not sure they were ever incorporated into the production vehicles.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, that's good to know.

[@sgtatarms4780]

@@peterbrown3608 They most likely a fold down. You would just tie your gear to them.

[@MikeUSA67]

Hiya Stu and Happy Easter! That really took me back four decades 🙂About the "jerry can rack" on the side panel - I don't think the racks were meant for jerry cans because they are too tight and cans wouldn't fit. But as we established by now, the "ladders" weren't supposed to be there either, so if we deleted them, maybe it would enhance the fit of the cans? Anyway, I am looking forward to the paint job you have chosen. See ya then, meanwhile have a nice weekend 🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚🥚

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you - I just tried to put a couple of jerrycans in now and they don't fit. Although they did in one of the reference photos!

[@MikeUSA67]

@@ModelNerd Yeah, I noticed that. If I remember correctly in the instructions they put some anti personnel mines in the racks. Makes me wonder if Tamiya got their measurements wrong??? Wouldn't be the first time 🙂Is it possible to somehow extend the width of the racks? Cause in the photo the row of cans really looked awesome.

[@ModelNerd]

@@MikeUSA67 I think it should be. Or just pull them off and scratch build a new one.

[@MikeUSA67]

@@ModelNerd Why don't you give it a try? Just so I can be more on the safe side when I do my restoration 😁

[@bobholmstrom786]

one photo (Tarp over the top) looks like it is towing maybe a generator. Funny as Miniart just released one

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, I think you're right

[@Jregidor1961]

Hello I like your videos, well explained and documented, I think it is a fundamental part of modeling, documentation and its study I wanted to tell you that in Spain it was in service, for example in the Reg. Asturias 31, in the Museum of armored vehicles of the Army they have it and it has a camouflage that you may be interested in, well you tell me and I will send you a photo. Greetings from Madrid, Spain

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you - I didn't know that. It would be interesting to see the photo.

[@Jregidor1961]

@@ModelNerd How can I send you the photos?

[@ModelNerd]

@@Jregidor1961 It might be easier to email. If you click my name and then the About tab, the address is there. Thank you!

[@Jregidor1961]

@@ModelNerd Information sent

[@markquinn1104]

He loves hearing his own voice

[@ModelNerd]

Awww, you love it too, Mark 🤣

[@user-vu3pd5jw4v]

M3ハーフトラックは、陸上自衛隊でも供与されていました。

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, I didn't know that

[@rickmoreno6858]

Becareful with those "seam" lines on frame, they may be weld beads, have your references handy. A lot of frames are of welded construction pieces.

[@ModelNerd]

Good point, thanks

[@rickmoreno6858]

You can get the 75mm gun carriage, dragon makes it. I got it and rb barrels made a metal , which I have I just need to aquire some resin wheels and I'll be ready to build her

[@ModelNerd]

Good tip, thank you