Hi there

Been flying through this build (I hope it doesn't show ) It just seemed to go together so well.













Not stealing from Jim Rae's in depth blog on this kit, but felt compelled to show some pics of the kits detail...
I did replace some things which I felt were lacking, namely the two piece plastic guntube, plastic brushguards and spruced up the cast effect on the upper hull and turret. The tracks are DML from the Sherman III kit (a preference only, as the kit tracks look good for 1 piece bands)
Brad

Wow Brad, you don't mess around! Looks great, any chance we're gonna see this one painted and finished this decade?


James

Pretty cool job so far Brad, appreciate the pictures. Like the way the cast effect came out, should look really well after some color's been added to it.

Will be following your thread...enjoy! Cheers!

Tim

Brad, What aftermarket barrel did you use and what did you use for the casting texture? Dan

I'm feeling the love with this one James...hehe


Tim, no worries with the pictures mate! Glad you like them. I'm happy with the cast effect at this stage, but after the primer it should show up any necessary adjustments.




Gday Dan. I actually had a mate turn this for me. It was based on a Jordi Rubio M3 barrel, but was a tough fit as the plastic kit one beds deep inside the turret. I had to bulk it out with putty, and it is now only barely the correct length. I don't recommend copying me!
There is a barrel comparison on PMMS if I recall correctly, and the length varies with them so the longest would be the most ideal.
As for the cast effect, it is Mr Surfacer 500. This is brushed on (don't use your good brush!) and stippled slightly. The same effect can be gotten with standard Revell liquid cement (you can see it lurking in the background of the last pic) which I smear on with my finger. Both can get stringy but no matter, as a light going-over with a sanding stick can be needed to flatten off the effect.

Brad, Thanks for the tips. I glued the barrels halves together last night and sanded, and sanded...I'm thinking of using liquid glue and a stiff brush on my kit. Keep up the good work! Dan

A couple more photos of some progress on details mostly.

This shows the brushguards which I always scratchbuild; kit ones in plastic are too thick, and the PE ones too thin... Photos of some Shermans in the Italian theatre showed the locking clamp for the .50cal positioned near the turret centre as I have modelled it. Seems the TCs hatch ring was mostly positioned with the .50cal in front, and the barrel swung inwards, and the clamp used for this set-up. Learn something new everyday!


Scratched the tool holders out of brass. The tiedowns are plastic strip with a few spare PE buckles.



Added a jerry can holder out of brass bar. Was a field modification, and may not be entirely accurate for the tank battalion I want to portray, but needed some variety!




Brad

Hi Brad,

Looking good, nice muddy, wet base you have it in

Cheers

Al

Not at all - i'm really glad you're doing it as well and in particular being a damn sight faster than me. There are some useful indicators you posted - i'll be applying them myself

Looking good Brad. I like the little extras you´ve added .. this should be a real stunner.
I noticed the the tasca idler-wheel axel arm is a lot longer than the Dragon, which should allow fixing the taughtness of the tracks much easier. Dragon´s is short and stubby, which made it hard to get the tension right.
Nice work on the muddy base also. Will you be adding some of your own converted/sculpted figures in the turret?

Look great! Dan

Gday Al, I could see a couple of your Shermans on manouver in the quagmire also




Thanks Jim. Seems the change in theatre of operations has taken the blinkers off a little, too...



You're right on the $ Pat. That's why I felt compelled to take a pic of this very feature. Logical, and plain to see how horribly easy it is to get something right...


Thanks, and I have seen a pic of a TC with his arm outstretched signalling the following tank to stop, as he has spotted something ahead in the field. This could be a good option to sculpt, as it will give the impression of involving 'unseen others' and lend to the operational feel of the scene which I'll be trying to convey...

Thanks Dan. Working concurrently on the base helps to keep the brainbox sharp(ish)

Brad, Please tell us how you did the muddy base; I'm thinking of modelling my 'A1 in the mud also. Dan