[NATO/Cold War] Portugal M5A1 "Gina"

[ColemanCollector]

Here's my group build for this round, a Coolbank M5A1 used by Portugal in Angola for convoy protection from FNLA (Fronte Nacional de Libertacao de Angola--National Front for the Liberation of Angola) guerillas in the late '60s-early 70s.

There were only 3 Stuart's used there, and I've chosen "Gina" that was posted in Luanda.

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It'll be a fairly straightforward build--fix the suspension ride height and add details, remove the sandshields, add a rear stowage bin, add Portugese markings and the distinctive Angola camouflage.

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As an added bonus for me, there's a Canadian connection to these three Stuart's, and it is pretty cool to watch the subtle changes to them over their service in Angola. Kinda like watching your kids grow up!

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Mike.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

That camouflage is going to be a challenge. I am eager to see how you accomplish the "brand new leopard-skin pillbox hat" look.

[Stormbringer]

Looks interesting

[ColemanCollector]

The Angolan liberation guerillas called them "Elefante Dundum", yes spelled "Dundum". Major Joao Luiz Mendes Paulo saw the need for better protection for the Portugese convoys in 1967, so fought with his higher ups for some tanks. He ended up getting permission to get 3 old Stuart's from a Portugese tank depot holding about 90 of them and some Shermans. How'd they get all of these Stuart's? They bought them from Canada!

In 1956, Canada offered up its old Stuart's it had bought from the USA in 1946 to any NATO countries that wanted them. Portugal was the only taker. Once in Portugal, some were put in use, while most sat in the tank storage depot. Here's the full crazy story, and if you see a M5A1 in a museum today, it might be part of that dealio!
https://canadianarmsandarmour.ca/m5a1-stuart/

The 3 Stuart's that were selected by Mendes were refurbished and sent to Angola. They were nicknamed "Milocas", "Gina", and "Licas". Their serial numbers are prominently displayed on the glacis so it's fascinating to see their changes over their service ('68-'73).

I purchased this DVD from a Portugese seller and it has helped immensely sorting out the looks and equipment of "Gina".

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There's also a book by the same name but it's long out of print and crazy pricey. No translations for either so Google translate for Portugese is getting a workout!

Mike.

[Panzermechaniker]

Very cool subject. Did you ever finish that crazy Indian Army camo job? That would have driven me nuts

[ColemanCollector]

I got part way through building the 1/2 size external fuel tanks for the back of the Indian T-72 and kind if lost interest in it. But the mojo will return.

I'm feeling this M5A1, baby! Worst part is shaving off all of the crude Coolbank "details" and not skewering myself with the X-acto!

Mike.

[HERMAN BIX]

This is a great odd subject & just goes to show whats out there as a subject if ya look hard enough !
Cant wait to see the camo go on, its going to be so
Best of luck getting a crew with the Lizard-cam style uniforms

[Kaczor]

Cool project. I love the camo.

[ColemanCollector]

This is a great odd subject & just goes to show whats out there as a subject if ya look hard enough !
Cant wait to see the camo go on, its going to be so
Best of luck getting a crew with the Lizard-cam style uniforms

Those uniforms are crazy. I'm not sure how you'd paint them--stand back and slash away with a paint brush like a crazed fencer? I also love the look of the Portugese field cap that looks a bit like a Sherlock Holmes deerstalker.
Edit--found out they're called a "swallowtail cap" or "bigeard" in the French military.

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Mike.

[ColemanCollector]

Figured I'll get the suspension sorted first. Coolbank's suspension is pretty crisp, but lots of missed details. But that's the fun so I acquired the usual hex head bolts everybody uses, plus added some boltheads to get things a bit more Stuartish. Anything not green is new.

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Ecam posted his excellent study of the ride height issues in his M5A1 build and used weight to make things right. I used small spacer blocks (2mm x 2mm) to get the hvss sitting at the right angles.

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Hey, it also gets the bar in the middle of the vertical slot on the suspension to sit in the middle like on the real deal. Cut down the inner guide pins by several mm as well. I suspect Ecam's leadsled will ride more tank-like with the weight. Less-sproingy is the technical term, I believe.

Before--note the crazy angle of the vertical links, and also the Phillips screw for the bogies. I've noticed on many people's Stuarts that the phillips head is on the inside of the bogie arm
(tried an M1 bolt for the bogie axles but too out of scale)

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With spacer blocks

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An actual Stuart

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Since the Coolbank suspension is very simplified, I added the track skids on the suspension uprights and on the rear idler assembly. Thicker than scale but hopefully stout enough to put up with use.

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And finally, the very plainly molded rear idler mounting got an end cover like the big boy tank and some cast texture.

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Suspension work done, on to the uppers.

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Mike.