Australian Stuart Mk. I

Plastic model kit of an Australian Stuart Mk. I tank

• Scale 1:35
• Highly detailed kit
• Sectional tracks
• Clear and photo-etched parts included
• 3 marking options
  • "Cabby" - C Squadron 12th Troop 2/6 Armoured Regiment 1st Armoured Division, Papua New Guinea, Buna Area, Winter 1942/43
  • "Capt. Gore" - C Squadron 10th Troop 2/6 Armoured Regiment 1st Armoured Division, Papua New Guinea, Buna Area, Winter 1942/43
  • "Bacchiles" - B Squadron 5th Troop 2/6 Armoured Regiment 1st Armoured Division, Papua New Guinea, Buna Area, Winter 1942/43
• Unbuilt, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The Australian Stuart Mk. I was the Australian operational version of the American M3 Stuart light tank, which was used during World War II as part of the The Stuart was delivered to Australia under the Lend-Lease program. In total, the Australian Army received several hundred of these vehicles, which saw extensive use, primarily in the Pacific War. The Stuart was armed with a 37mm gun, had a crew of four, and was considered fast, reliable, and mobile, though it possessed relatively light armor. Particularly in the fighting in Papua New Guinea, for example at Buna and Giropa Point in 1942 and 1943, the tank proved useful in supporting infantry against Japanese positions, despite the difficult jungle terrain. The designation "Stuart Mk. I" corresponded to the British/Commonwealth naming convention for the early gasoline-powered M3 models. Later, Australia also developed its own modifications and modernized versions of the Stuart tank.