Jan - I'm still watching your build with interest as I'm building a 1/72 Sherman for the Sherman Campaign. It's odd how uncomfortable I feel with a different scale!

Jesper - I love the finish you achieved! You should do more Allied builds! What did you use for your dust wash? And, did you spray a dust coat or is that all pigments?

Paul - I can't wait to see your LVT weathered! The camo turned out perfectly.

Bill - Another great Sherman! What did you use for your dust wash? I like your base too. Sometimes a simple base really shows off the model well!

Charlie - Great build! The figures are looking good too. My only suggestion is to weather the tracks a bit so they don't look so clean.

Thanks for the comments, Michael and Bob. I appreciate it.

For the weathering I used a sprayed on coat of dust, followed by a MIG filter for tricolour camo, followed by several washes of thinned light earth and sand oil washes mixed with MIG sand and earth pigments. In total around five washes. I think the key is to build up the effect slowly.

Charlie,
Great jump for starting late. Like the way your doing the weathering, looking forward to seeing how you do on the rack and thanks for the comments.

I know I’m a day early but I might be busy tomorrow so I thought I’d do the History post today;
August
August 1/2 - A group of 15 U.S. PT-boats attempt to block Japanese convoys south of Kolombangra Island in the Solomon Islands. PT-109, commanded by Lt. John F. Kennedy, is rammed and sunk by the Japanese Cruiser AMAGIRI, killing two and badly injuring others. The crew survives as Kennedy aids one badly injured man by towing him to a nearby atoll.
August 3, 1944 - U.S. And Chinese troops take Myitkyina after a two month siege.
August 6/7, 1943 - Battle of Vella Gulf in the Solomon Islands.
August 6, 1945 - First Atomic Bomb dropped on Hiroshima from a B-29 flown by Col. Paul Tibbets.
August 7, 1942 - The first U.S. amphibious landing of the Pacific War occurs as 1st Marine Division invades Tulagi and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
August 8, 1942 - U.S. Marines take the unfinished airfield on Guadalcanal and name it Henderson Field after Maj. Lofton Henderson, a hero of Midway.
August 8, 1944 - American troops complete the capture of the Mariana Islands.
August 8, 1945 - U.S.S.R. declares war on Japan then invades Manchuria.
August 8/9 - A major U.S. naval disaster off Savo Island, north of Guadalcanal, as eight Japanese warships wage a night attack and sink three U.S. heavy cruisers, an Australian cruiser, and one U.S. destroyer, all in less than an hour. Another U.S. cruiser and two destroyers are damaged. Over 1,500 Allied crewmen are lost.
August 9, 1945 - Second Atomic Bomb is dropped on Nagasaki from a B-29 flown by Maj. Charles Sweeney -- Emperor Hirohito and Japanese Prime Minister Suzuki then decide to seek an immediate peace with the Allies.
August 14, 1945 - Japanese accept unconditional surrender; Gen. MacArthur is appointed to head the occupation forces in Japan.
August 16, 1945 - Gen. Wainwright, a POW since May 6, 1942, is released from a POW camp in Manchuria.
August 17, 1942 - 122 U.S. Marine raiders, transported by submarine, attack Makin Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.
August 21, 1942 - U.S. Marines repulse first major Japanese ground attack on Guadalcanal.
August 24, 1942 - U.S. And Japanese carriers meet in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons resulting in a Japanese defeat.
August 25, 1943 - Allies complete the occupation of New Georgia.
August 29, 1942 - The Red Cross announces Japan refuses to allow safe passage of ships containing supplies for U.S. POWs.
August 29, 1945 - U.S. Troops land near Tokyo to begin the occupation of Japan.
August 30, 1942 - U.S. Troops invade Adak Island in the Aleutian Islands.
August 30, 1945 - The British reoccupy Hong Kong.
For a more detailed listing go to;

1942
1943
1944


So far the completion status
David Carlson CALLSIGN: TheDiggs, USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413)
Thomas F. Sweeney, CALLSIGN: tsweeney, Diorama Tarawa Marines at the wall
Sal CALLSIGN: ltb073, LVT 4 Saipan
Russ Callsign: russamotto, Margaret, Diorama Saipan and Hellcat, Pacific Operations
Michael Armbrister: Callsign; mopnglo, Colorado Diorama, Tarawa
Thomo Thomson, Callsign: thomokiwi, Type 97
Leo, Callsign: Rebilda, Bushmaster Diorama “Stuck”
Brian Bullock Callsign: bpunchy, LVT 4
Bob Card, Callsign: same, Guam Diorama
Grant Voakes, CALLSIGN: GVoakes, 4th Division Type 3 Chi Nu
Jesper, Callsign: SGTJKJ, Destroyer Guam
Bill Cross, Callsign: Bill C, 4th Marine Division Saipan

Still working;
Jan Etal, Callsign: tread_geek, (Extra small)) Destroyer Guam
Paul P, Callsign: ppawlak1, LVT-4 Saipan/Tinian
Charlie Wegman, Callsign: Wolfsangel, Type 97 Late, 9th Tank Regiment, Saipan 16th of June '44

If I missed someone let me know.

42 enlisted, was 44 enlisted but I guess some dropped out.

Campaign Gallery

Thanks everyone,
Bob

Hey guys !

I'm almost there, a little more weathering to go (with pigments), and a touch up of the dust effects on the upper hull is still to be done...

I'll also look at some of the details such as chipping and rust and touch those up

Here's where I am at the moment - the pigments are still wet so they are a little darker than what they'll be when completed



The axle on the Front LH wheel has snapped (so the track is loose on that side), I'll fix that over the next few days.


Cheers

Paul

It wasn't much work to fix the wheel and tighten the tracks so I did it this evening - here's a better pic.



Like I said above - the weathering needs to be touched up, and some details need to be fixed before I call this one done

The pigments also need to be brushed off a little in some areas ...

Cheers

Paul

Paul, you LVT is looking great the same axle broke on mine too must be something wrong with the engineering I fixed mine with a piece of metal paper clip

Paul,
Looking great, nice weathering.
I know this is a bit late but from David Harper's Project LVT book;


Maybe for the next one.

I like the hole in the pontoon, for an idea, they always carried a number of plugs for such an emergancy, you could put one in but don't clear the weathering, they would have just pounded one into the hole. Just an idea.

Great work, looking like it will be a great model,
Bob

Nice looking LVT, Paul. The weathering seems a little light, but I guess all the LVTs were overhauled and maintained just before going into battle.

Looking forward to see the finished result.

Michael, I'm sure that I'd be uncomfortable trying to deal with the more gargantuan scales. My fourth build after returning to the hobby was a 1/144 Tomcat and was that an eye opener. The decal sheet alone had 100+ individual markings. From what I saw of your 1/72 Sherman in the other campaign, you've done really well.

Back on topic and a picture-less update. I've been toiling with trying to get the tracks on the Destroyer. It's a good thing that I didn't glue the sprockets on or I'd really be up the proverbial creek. Another problem is that to get the track over the return rollers you have to feed it over them and the idler from the back. So I can't glue the DS track before I feed it around or I'll never get it to fit right. This appears to be an issue with all Dragon Shermans with the VVSS suspension. The HVSS with the doubled bogies isn't as bad as it has single as opposed to double track horns. Now to figure out a solution.


Cheers,
Jan

Hi mates , good to see so many completing their models , like the add says ;Oh what a feeling .
Paul your Lvt-4 is as good as your figures , brilliant .
I had the same problem with breaking off the axle and replaced It with a bicycle spoke (?) , that I found in my shed .
Thanks

Thanks Guys,

I'm not a fan of massive weathering - less is more IMO.

I'll finish this off in a couple of days.

I fixed the axle with a bit of copper tubing, so all is good now.

Cheers

Paul

can i offer up my M4a2 Sherman from the dragon M4a2 Tarawa kit, just need to pick out the details and drop it on a base. In fact it is my first ever Sherman I have built in over 20 years of modelling

its "cannonball" from Co. C 1st marine Corps Tank Battalion Tarwana 1943









cheers

keith

Hi Keith,
Nice details and weathering for a "first timer", everything is there for qualifing so congrats on completing the Campaign requirements.

So far the completion status
David Carlson CALLSIGN: TheDiggs, USS SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE 413)
Thomas F. Sweeney, CALLSIGN: tsweeney, Diorama Tarawa Marines at the wall
Sal CALLSIGN: ltb073, LVT 4 Saipan
Russ Callsign: russamotto, Margaret, Diorama Saipan and Hellcat, Pacific Operations
Michael Armbrister: Callsign; mopnglo, Colorado Diorama, Tarawa
Thomo Thomson, Callsign: thomokiwi, Type 97
Leo, Callsign: Rebilda, Bushmaster Diorama “Stuck”
Brian Bullock Callsign: bpunchy, LVT 4
Bob Card, Callsign: same, Guam Diorama
Grant Voakes, CALLSIGN: GVoakes, 4th Division Type 3 Chi Nu
Jesper, Callsign: SGTJKJ, Destroyer Guam
Bill Cross, Callsign: Bill C, 4th Marine Division Saipan
Keith Forsyth, Callsign: docdios, "Cannonball" from Co. C 1st Marine Corps Tank Battalion Tarawa 1943

Still working;
Jan Etal, Callsign: tread_geek, (Extra small)) Destroyer Guam
Paul P, Callsign: ppawlak1, LVT-4 Saipan/Tinian
Charlie Wegman, Callsign: Wolfsangel, Type 97 Late, 9th Tank Regiment, Saipan 16th of June '44
If I missed someone let me know.

Looking forward to more updates,
Bob

Ok a bit more work on the weathering.

Pigments brushed off in some areas, and added in others. I've left it fairly conservative as far as the dirt, rust, sand etc goes. As I mentioned earlier I like less (Less is more !).

I'm going to call this one done. Time to build some Shermies

Picture unloaded to the Gallery also Bob.

Any comments appreciated





Cheers

Paul

Very nice LVT, Paul. Looks great and the camouflage on those big areas really look striking. It was been interesting to follow your build.

Very nice Sherman, Keith. Are the tools painted green or does it just look like that in the pictures? Very nice subtle dusty weathering.

Thanks Jesper !

This has been a lot of fun, and I've learnt a lot obout these vehicles, their history and use.

Bob has been awesome as a campaign leader, and the feedback from everyone on improvements etc, has been fantastic !

Thanks again team !!

Cheers

Paul

Paul,
Outstanding model, just enough to show use and not to much on the dust since it should have just came out of the water not too long ago or those 2 guys are going to get hot in those life preservers. Just a great job. I really have to practice my rust, just perfect.
I'll add you to the completed list and congrats on such a great job and thanks for all your comments and participation in the Campaign.

And for everyone else, if I haven't done so already, thanks for posting and making this a great campaign. Only 14 more days to go.........
Thanks,
Bob

Well, I spent a good part of yesterday afternoon fighting with the treads and sprocket issue. I originally thought that the tread length was okay out of the box. When I finally got it around the suspension I found that it was just too slack. More surgery. Removed a link from each end and tried again; success. It was a royal pain having to hold the two ends together until the glue dried. I had tried various clips and clamps but nothing could match the Mk-1 Fingers.



Darn digital cameras. I had to touch up the rubber portions on the wheels after I took the above picture. Now to get the other tread on and then the further weathering can start.

Cheers,
Jan

YES, VICTORY!! All right, I finally beat the right or starboard track into submission. The build side of the Destroyer is now finally complete. This side was a slightly different story as I had to remove the equivalent of a link and a half. Took a while to decide how to do it so that it would look right.



I was so elated with the success that I thought I'd add a bit of humour to the thread.

It seems that Destroyer was captured by the Japanese. They took it back to the mainland and with German help turned it into a Flak Panzer.



Now onto the fun stuff.

Cheers,
Jan

Jan, well done! Do you think there is anything that could be done during the build to prevent the problem with the tracks?

Short of what I did I can't come up with a better way, Michael. As I mention earlier you will have to thread the tracks over the upper part of the suspension which means they cannot be joined into one piece. From all my fiddling the clearance over the return rollers is quite tight. You will also need to not have the sprocket glued on as it needs to turn when feeding the treads through.

I've had to do this with a couple of other non Sherman Dragon tracks and it seems that they make a lot of them a tad long. One nice thing with the DS tracks is that they glue with regular glues. Give me a bit of time and I'll post some pictures of the track modifications.

Cheers,
Jan

@Michael (mopnglo) -Okay, as I was thinking of this becoming a build feature I took far more pictures than I normally would.

Here's what the treads look like without modification. Maybe I am just too picky but I didn't like the sag below the idler.



You can also see how tight the fit is in the upper part of the suspension.

Next is two pictures of what I removed and an M4A3 track from another Dragon Sherman. The track is not quite identical to the Destroyer's but it's very close and the attachment points are the same.





Basically I left two pins and two holes on the end of the track to assist in aligning. You'll need to look at the ends of your track as they may be slightly different. I never compared the M4A3 track to the M4A2 until today so I presumed that all VVSS tracks were the same and suffered from the same problem. Definitely do a test fit before joining the ends.

Hope this helps,
Jan

Nicely done Jan. Looks like you took care of the sag, thanks for letting us know how you did it. Remember, from watching your build I've gotten up enough guts to try the 1/48 scale campaign. I think if I run into any of those real tough problems, I'll be doing my own modification, putting wings on it and seeing how far she'll go.....

Really great job Jan,
Bob

Thanks Bob !

I'm happy with the way it finally came out, and I also got the lighting a little better having received the new photo lighting globe in the mail

The Camo was a bit of work but the result is worth it. I think an LVTA1 is worth doing in those colors too

I 'm looking at a nice reference on one of those.

I have some Marines that may also be ready by the time the Campaign finishes, (if not shortly afterwards).

When thery're ready I'll post pics with the LVT-4

Cheers

Paul

Thanks Paul,
I guess it's just slowing down since everyone has moved off to other Campaigns.
Been thinking of another one to start up, see if I can plan this one a bit better.
Looking forward to seeing your LVT completed, really like modeling these, I have 4 others in planning but just no time to get to them.
Good luck with the final touches,
Bob