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Sherman M4A3 105mm HVSS ** WIP **
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - 02:12 PM UTC

Quoted Text

@DJ Judge: Thank you very much! *bow*

@Jeff: Thanx, dude. I'm looking forward to the rest of the weathering too, and to get the tracks on. Can't say I'm looking forward to stowage painting thou, but it's gotta be done.

Yup, I'm using MIG products, awesome products in my opinion. The 502 Abteilung oils is just superb for washes, fading, well you name it. Great selection of colors and easy to dissolve in turpentine. I'll be using these oils and adding some MIG pigments to the different mixes later down weathering avenue.

@Randall: Thanx for the kind words. The PE was a challenge, but a fun one.
I know I've covered up a bit too much of the rear grills, but I'm blaming it on the crew of this vehicle. They had to pack up and leave in a hurry due to reports of nearby enemy activity, so the stowage is just thrown up there in a hurry with no time to think about placement.



I should have guessed based on the 10 AD decals! I actually met a 10 AD tanker once. His unit was outside of Bastone and ended up getting mauled helping fight off the attacks towards St. Vith. His wife dragged him off before I could get any more from him (vehicle display with my '44 Willy's).
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 11:52 AM UTC
I did notice one mistake Mate.
You painted that nice Clear Horn in OD green.
Gosh how could you of done that.

Kidding still can't wait to see where you are.
sgtreef
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Posted: Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 01:16 AM UTC
So what is up on this mate?

Cheers
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Friday, August 22, 2008 - 11:42 PM UTC
Well looks like another bump is needed.

Where did you get that camo net from Per- Erik?
Stampede
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Østfold, Norway
Joined: December 06, 2007
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Posted: Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 12:30 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Well looks like another bump is needed.

Where did you get that camo net from Per- Erik?



He he....bumpeti bump!

Coming along slowly. Tedious process detail painting the stowage, tools and lower hull, bud.

The camo net is medical gauze from my cars first aid kit(!)
Dipped in a mix of white glue, water and a couple of Tamiya colors...

Later...

Per-Erik
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 01:08 AM UTC
I bet that painting is getting you to hit a few of these

Nice to hear that it is coming along.

I figured a few posts would get some news

Enjoy the tedious part.

Thanks for the info and you really are dedicated as to robbing the First aid kit.
HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 03:02 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The camo net is medical gauze from my cars first aid kit(!)


Now don't go pranging your car into a pine tree mate!
She's looking a real beaut mate. I like the tonal variations you are reaching with your OD too...
I have finally applied a coat of OD to my M4, and hope to get a photo up tomorrow?
Great stuff
Brad
Stampede
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Østfold, Norway
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Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 11:37 AM UTC
Thanx guys! Nah, I don't have any plans 'bout hitting trees in the near future...

The slow part is finally coming to an end soon. Got all the stowage painted and have slowly started the weathering process. This one is going to get dirty cause most of the Sherman pics I've seen are of dirty ones. Painted the stowage with a combination of Vallejo Model Color and their Panzer Aces colors, and some various MIG washes. Struggling a bit when it comes to getting any variation on the OD, but I put a first aid bag back there and some other stuff with a bit of color on them. Recon I'll put an orange air recognition panel back there too for some more color.





I've started with the rest of the vehicle adding a pin wash with MIG Brown wash and more heavy specific washes with MIG Dark wash in various places.
I've also tried to add fuel stains with layered washes around the caps and on the visible parts of the rear deck and hull. More stains and grime will follow later. I also noticed when starting to do the different washes that the work I did with the weld seams around the armored fuel cap shields and turret vents paid off, they are really standing out when washed.





Here's the rear turret vent...


Found a color pic of an M6 perscope showing that the "holder" was painted light grey and the periscope itself in OD, so the "holder" is now grey...with a dark wash


Some front detail...


And here is how she stands now, ready for some more weathering. It's time to bring out the oils and do some fading and some dust in the nooks and crannies.




sgtreef
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Posted: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 - 12:42 PM UTC
Looking killer Dude looking killer.

Nice start to the "end" and I bet you are glad that is around the corner on this one.

Now I await the tracks.

So when are they going on>

I think they will tie it all together?

So I guess those red and white things are aiming Stakes?

Cool job.

Nice finish Per-Erik.


One little thing to add are not those rods to the left the aiming stakes or whatever they are called?



210cav
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Posted: Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 01:53 AM UTC
So, what are you doing with the track--vinyl or individual tracks? She really is coming along.
sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 01:52 AM UTC
Question Per-Erik?
Why have you not applied the telephone at the rear?
Thanks.
PvtMutt
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Missouri, United States
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Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 04:39 AM UTC
Eric

Your work is a absolute knock out.

...Tony...
ToMuchGlue
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California, United States
Joined: September 15, 2007
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Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 08:45 PM UTC
Awsome welds, they really pop! Great detail. Very nice job and first place quality.

Kevin
Stampede
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Østfold, Norway
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Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 12:42 AM UTC
@Jeff: Thanx dude, it's starting to come togheter but still quite a bit of canvas to cover.
The tracks will not be mounted until the final stages, I've test fitted them thou and they seem to be a bit too long so I recon they will present a small challenge.
I didn't mount the phone on the rear because the instructions state that it's a part not to be used, and I haven't seen any pics of the 105 with the phone mounted. But hey, it could just be me that haven't noticed...
To be honest Jeff I dunno what those red'n white rods are called, I just saw a pic in a book of what seemed to be the same wrapped up rods and they where red and white. The rods to the left, I have no idea...

@Judge: Thanx! The tracks will be the kit supplied DS vinyl, if I can shorten them a bit.

@Tony: Thanx, I appreciate it!

@Kevin: Yeah, I think the welds came out great too! Thanx for the first place comment.

...and the work continues

sgtreef
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 02:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

@Jeff: Thanx dude, it's starting to come togheter but still quite a bit of canvas to cover.
The tracks will not be mounted until the final stages, I've test fitted them thou and they seem to be a bit too long so I recon they will present a small challenge.
I didn't mount the phone on the rear because the instructions state that it's a part not to be used, and I haven't seen any pics of the 105 with the phone mounted. But hey, it could just be me that haven't noticed...
To be honest Jeff I dunno what those red'n white rods are called, I just saw a pic in a book of what seemed to be the same wrapped up rods and they where red and white. The rods to the left, I have no idea...

@Judge: Thanx! The tracks will be the kit supplied DS vinyl, if I can shorten them a bit.

@Tony: Thanx, I appreciate it!

@Kevin: Yeah, I think the welds came out great too! Thanx for the first place comment.

...and the work continues





Okay Per-Erik.
On the tracks f you left off the Idler which I think you did,I think that is the adjustment point for them as I noticed that the mount is kind of six pointed so I think that will take the slack out.

But have not tried it yet as just finished the Bogie's

Good luck on them buddy.

So I guess I should see if the Darn things are to big too late for me as I will leave them as they are.

Well good luck and can't wait to see it done.
sgtreef
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Posted: Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 12:45 PM UTC
So how is this coming along Per-Erik?
Stampede
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Posted: Monday, September 22, 2008 - 09:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

So how is this coming along Per-Erik?



Slow bud, real slow...
The wife has got me doing all sorts of things around the house, she in total re-decorating mode for the time being...

So, all work and no play...
sgtreef
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Posted: Monday, September 22, 2008 - 12:38 PM UTC
Well tell her all work and no play makes Jack a Dull boy.

Can't wait to see it done.
whittman181
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Massachusetts, United States
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Posted: Monday, September 22, 2008 - 12:52 PM UTC
Awesome!!! I also cant wait to see it done Great job on every part of it Bob
Stampede
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Østfold, Norway
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Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008 - 11:20 AM UTC
Thanx Bob, appreciated!


Been kinda slow progress on this here Sherman lately.
The wife found out all by her lonesome that we oughta do some rebuilding at home. So it's been quite a bit of building, but not models. The upside of it is that I got myself a bigger hobby room! Not much activity there lately either but I got a little bit done yesterday and this evening.

I've started the pigment phase.
Mixed a light mix of MIG P026 Concrete, P028 Europe Dust og P037 Gulf War Sand. Put it on with an old brush and used Pigment Fixer to set it.

First step...


Then I mixed a 2nd darker blend. Applied this too with the old brush and used the fixer to set it aswell. I found it to be smart to re-wet the entire section so that no tide marks were left from the Fixer as it dried. The colors I used are in the pic.

Step two...


Then I used MIG Dark Wash to re-define earlier made oil stains, stains by the wheel hubs, grease nipples etc. Not so visible in the pic, but it's there.



Finally I mixed a 3rd even darker blend to put a layer down low and on the road wheels. Re-wet the entire area with the Fixer, and here's the result. The colors I used are in the pic.




Hopefully I'll get some more work done in the near future on this one.
Time will show...
sgtreef
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Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2008 - 10:46 PM UTC
Looking Killer Buddy.

I was wondering when you were coming back on here.

Nice and wet looking.

I have heard that Mig stuff does not leave those tide marks.

Well a lot more dusty then mine will be.

I guess my crew has some more cleaner folks on it.

Can't wait to see it all done up.

Great job and thanks for the inspiration to do one.

Enjoy the new hobby room also.
Stampede
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Østfold, Norway
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Posted: Monday, October 20, 2008 - 04:40 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Looking Killer Buddy.

I was wondering when you were coming back on here.

Nice and wet looking.

I have heard that Mig stuff does not leave those tide marks.

Well a lot more dusty then mine will be.

I guess my crew has some more cleaner folks on it.

Can't wait to see it all done up.

Great job and thanks for the inspiration to do one.

Enjoy the new hobby room also.



Thanx for the cudos, bud! I appreciate it!
Been a while since I posted, I know, but recon I'm back 100% now.

It does leave tide marks so re-wetting the whole area is cruical.
He he...yup my crew are some sloppy SOB's...

Me too, I'm eager to get it finished, but I'm not rushin' it

Thanx!
sgtreef
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Posted: Monday, October 20, 2008 - 11:53 AM UTC
No problem Per-Erik.

Well I am done with the thing.

I am still not to satisfied with the tracks but will let it roll this time.

How about a Lee build next?

Then a M4A2 from Tarawa.

I am starting mine now.

Will keep my eye on this build .
Stampede
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Østfold, Norway
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Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 12:38 PM UTC
I'll be home with belts on.... ( Dolly Parton re-written! )

Got a couple of things done this evening, and finally got the tracks mounted.
Had to shorten the kit supplied DS tracks with one link, even with the idler in the most rearward position, no biggy, but kinda lame on Dragons behalf.
With that being done it was time to match the weathering on the lower hull with the tracks.
Did the same "layering" with the pigments on the tracks, and I feel it came out pretty good.
I also had a go on the front and rear with the pigments before I mounted the tracks, and I used a bit of MIG Dark Wash to simulate oil stains and stuff.

Here's the result of this evenings work...






HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 06:17 PM UTC
Hey Per-Erik
This is looking great mate. It stands up to the scrutiny availed by such high quality photography
The mud looks very natural, although a couple of extra clumpy blobs a bit higher than the 'tide mark' of mud on the transmission housing will add to it more I reckon...
One other thing. The rear taillight guards should be more of a continually round shape over the light fitting; as per an arch. Any chance of squashing the apex down a touch to give it less of a pointed shape at the top? If too delicate, don't touch the darn thing
Brad