this is great stuff Brad i can sit and read threads like this all day long, i really need to check in this forum more often also great job on the documentation im always saving these for future reference, very inspiring work

Thanks Al, encouraging as always mate.
And Ron, thanks for your reply and when this is all done and dusted, I'm going to follow your method of weathering and try to attempt a real 'deep metal' finish.

I have just received the Formations conversion set so it's all systems go from here on in! Will get some photos of it installed tomorrow hopefully...
Brad

A little more progress, with the installation of the conversion set started.
The rear plate was removed carefully with a dremel and cutting disc, back to the weld that runs over the top and edges of the rear deck.
The Formations plate has a recess that runs around the edge ensuring a tight fit, so I needed to trim back the plastic a little further on the kit to accomodate it. A beautiful fit resulted.



The rear deck comes in two pieces, the larger incorporating the air intake. The smaller, as can be seen, I managed to wreck mercilessly with a slip of the razor saw... As it was just a rectangle, I could replicate it styrene with my eyes closed. (This one proved to be ill-fitting and more trapezoidal in shape, so I threw it out and made a second with my eyes open :roll: )
I also added the grouser vent covers, to which I'll have to drum up some mesh coverings. These are a little delicate to remove, and I managed to split one, but salvaged it and with a little putty it won't be noticed.





The hullplate again was a perfect fit. You know when you can just spread the existing tub walls on the kit part, and the resin just 'clicks' into place? Mmmmmm, mmmm! Fantastico.

Easy to glue from inside.




Really cracking on with this now. There are the tools to be added to the now in place hull plate, rear plate (under the overhang with the engine access doors) some turret features, the commander's hatch ring which has yet to be started, etc.
One problem I have encountered with periscope flaps is that any plastic or resin versions are not hollowed to enable them to sit over the periscope tops accurately when in place. The best representation is the Aber photo etch versions which are pretty much identical to the real thing. I have two left over, and will use them cautiously!
I hate the running gear with a passion, and these will probably be finished lastly.

Brad

Man, I love those Shermans. You have a great build happening there, Bradley.

Brad, I'll have a look see for some screens for you. Dan

Carl, thanks very much for looking in (and for loving Shermans!)



Thanks a bunch Dan, the little so 'n' so's are quite elusive, but nonetheless necessary...
Gotten a little more work done, namely on the hatch details and also added lifting handles for the rear deck engine access door.
Photos to follow!
Brad

"I hate the running gear with a passion, and these will probably be finished lastly."

Very well put!

Great looking model. If only the US had adopted the Christie wheels think how much easier our lives would have been.

But then one would have to paint springs!

Hmmmm.... sponson-deep in mud....hmmmm.....

Hi some more work done. Liddle fiddly things like turret fittings and hatch details...

The commanders hatch features some resin parts, styrene, and brass wire in addition to the kit parts... ie. Fiddly as all heck!



The close to finished turret. There is still the periscope guards to make, and although the pics don't show it, the guard has been made for the hatch out of brass wire.



Thanks for looking
Brad

Brad-- great work. I had a heck of a challenge seating the gun mantle in the turret. It is somewhat smaller than the opening. Did you experience the same problem?
thanks
DJ

Thanks DJ
No, this rotor shield seemed to drop in perfect. Possibly a stupid question, but did you add the bolt strip to the turret interior first? I overlooked this for a while, and nearly gave up because it has nothing to rest on without it!
I did the foolish thing of fitting a DML rotor shield into a Tasca turret on my last build, before they released the mid production M4A1 which had the rotor shield I needed...
Brad

Oh no! I could not have done something that dumb ...or could I have screwed that one up (again) I am going to rush home and check the building diagram (again)...more to follow.
thanks as always
DJ

hehe how did you go, DJ?

Well I think I'm close to having this done in so far as the build is concerned....

Some more fiddly details done tonight. Got some femme-free time to myself...



Added some chain to the searchlight and fuel filler cap locking pins. Maybe a smidge overscale, but will blend in once all is said and done... (Or sad and done, taking into consideration my poor finishing form)


I have evily decided to go with the kit PE headlight brush guards. Still can't explain why (I normally make these out of flat brass bar, as per the siren guard)

Have gotten the siren in place, which sits on a small flat-bottomed bracket which attaches to my scratched guard frame.




Gotten the hatch spring finished, and am ultra pleased with the result. The finished spring looks no different to the real thing, and I'm confident at not losing the part during the painting stage as it actually has a looped piece of wire embedded into the hatch top to hold the hook in place. The trick is getting the driver's side one in place, as with the hatch in an open position the spring needs to be shown slightly bent as taking the weight, and is not laying flat like this one but more vertical.



The turret fittings. I have added a lip with a wire ring for the top of the .50cal mount, (EDIT: The darn thing fell off before the photo was taken, but has since been resecured.) and a locking handle. The .50cal cradle on the far side of the hatch ring is the kit supplied plastic part, and was carefully trimmed to more accurately portray the flexible steel prong on top. As can be seen, the (loaders) periscope in the foreground needs a guard attached yet; the holes can be seen ready to use. The newer sighting vane is half of the resin item, and has yet to be added to the brass support on the turret front as this is most definitely tone of the most breakable items known to man... It's going on last!



The searchlight itself was for sure going to be delicate being all resin, so I substituted a DML kit handle, which I drilled out and added wire (to give it more support) both down into the base and also into the side of the searchlight, so at this stage it actually moves on both axes, latitudinally and longitudinally.


The rear of the tank, showing the beaut Formations items. There is some mesh to add under the overhang (anyone have a good clear shot of this mesh?) and of course the aircleaner boxes. I'm not going with the Formations ones (which represent the earlier type round cleaners) but the squarer Tamiya ones.



That's all for now. I think there is the rear lights to go, and then the running gear. Oh speaking of which, DML seem to have included PE brushguards for the headlights, but you need to use plastic for the rear? What's up with that?!

Brad

Hi Brad,

The M4 is looking really sharp. Excellent stuff.

Al

Thanks for the support Al! (as always)

Some more work done. I figure I'm very close to having him built now (95%?)

Added resin fenders, which fitted pretty good. The sandshield attachment strips will be done close to last. I have the mesh grouser vent covers to go, as well as front clevises, some periscope guards and of course stowage



Tried PE tiedown handles for the bustle, on which I have always drilled out and used wire... I think they came up well, especially with a blob of ca representing welds to each side...



A shot of the turret details, and what can be done with the kit supplied .50cal barrel clamp with some careful blade-tip cutting... You can see some crap on the turret side, which will be reworked to represent some casting scars for added variety.



The accursed DML idler adjuster which is in two pieces and is missing a bolt (there should be three along the lower side, not two as shown)



This is the Tasca offering. Bloody beaut!



Cheers
Brad

Brad-- I certainly had to play with seating the main gun in the turret, but she is in there now. What colors will you apply to get that sand-blue combination? Also, are you spraying the blue or hand painting?
thanks
DJ

Hey DJ. The resin set from Formations actually converts this into a US M4 Sherman, so I really have no troubles with the sand/blue! In honesty, this will be getting the Tamiya OD rattlecan treatment, and will hopefully be doing some wonderful washes and weathering to give good effect
The idea is for a fully refitted Sherman that has come across from England to Normandy and be in a bocage country diorama scene.
I'm glad your guntube fitted the turret in the end though mate.
Brad

Brad-- thanks, once again you are doing a great job and your work is instructive as always.
DJ

Dang between you and Per-Erik two great builds.

Can't wait to see paint on both.

Some really butifull shermans coming out here excellent detail just inspiering

Thanks for your support lads!
And Jeff, I don't think I can match Per-Eriks patience mate
Cheers
Brad

A little more done. I gave her a shot of primer, partly to identify flaws etc. Of course I forgot to change the idlers! These are off another DML kit (which one escapes me at the minute) A little dremel work to remove part of the bracket, and some putty to bulk out behind the adjuster. This was trimmed immediately to the rough square shape, but as there will be mud accumulation, the smoothness mattered little. The mud spatters are texture paste. (Jo Sonja brand)



A couple of pics showing the primer on...
I used the texture paste on the turret and transmission cover to show the casting effect for the first time, and I believe it was the easiest thing I've used... Applied it flat like a spatula with the side of a #11 blade, and sanded back later. Gives it the irregular look.





Cheers
Brad

Looking REALLY good, mate!
Maybe you cannont match my patience , but you sure outrun me when it comes to "knowing your Shermans".

Can't wait to see your paint and finishing touches.

PEK

Thanks Per-Erik
The new decals have arrived from Hannants, and I have the Tamiya OD rattle can ready to rumble...
I am also in the swing of constructing a base for the tank. Nothing flashy, just a dirt road between two embankments... Keep you posted on that soon...
Brad
P.S. Oh, almost forgot I have sculpted a tanker for the scene also...