Hi Everyone,
This is my first post here and I thought I would share my most recent build. This is the second model I have made in about 15 years so please go easy on me. This is the Dragon M4A1 76 (W) "Operation Cobra" kit. I have added in Some Formations Tools and Tow Cable as well as a TMD Late Split Hatch and Aber Photo Etch. I would say this is about 80% done. I still have some small details to add on as well as finish the turret texture etc. Your comments and helpful tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to look

NICE MODEL! Im am almost certain you looked up steven Zalogas work or bought one of his books, that tarp on the back is made from kneadatite right? What did you use for the periscope guards? Looks really well done. The tracks, i commend you on that, mustve been a pain in the @!#$. Nice job overall!

Hi Calvin,
Thanks for the comments. You nailed it Steve Z's books have helped understand all these new building techniques and mediums. To answer your question about the Periscope guards they are Aber PE items with "dimensional" acrylic paint applied so they look like round bars instead of flat ones. The tracks were the kicker and I almost threw this model against the wall because of them. They are torture x10.

Well either way, i can see you havent lost your touch! Ive got this kit in my stash, hope you dont mind me saving the pictures? Im a big shermaholic and i collect whatever pictures i find LOL

Nice and clean! keep it up!

Russ

Nice and clean build! And this is only your second model?!? Wow!

I have a thorough dislike for Dragon Sherman link to link tracks as well... Had the "pleasure" of building one for a Sherman Firefly. So I just bought two of Academy's Sherman track sets and have enough for all my Sherman needs...

Cheerio!

PS: Welcome to the site!

Thank for the kind comments guys

Dangeroo I would be really interested to know where you bought the Academy track sets??

The Tracks are manufactured by Academy Europe, click here for a review on PMMS. I bought them from a vendor in Switzerland, don't know wether they're available in the USA. You might try a European seller maybe? PM me if you need further Info on the Swiss seller or a German one that should have them.

Cheerio!

very nice looking model! looking forward to see it completed

Agreed, very nice model.
As for easier-to-use tracks, Dragon sells the DS track separately, I pick it up at my local shop. Just be aware, all varieties I've used so far have required a couple of links to be removed for a tight fit. They are however very well detailed.

Thanks guy's I appreciate the encouragement.

Very nicely done! I'm looking forward to seeing it painted up.

Darryl

Very clean build. Nice work on the link to link tracks. If you'd rather not suffer through them again, Dragon now offers superb soft plastic "Dragon Styrene" tracks made with four-part molds, so you get excellent recessed detail on the edges as well the top and bottom, and no nasty seam down the edge. They are included in all the newer Shermans, and are also available separately from Dragon's Cyber Hobby subsidiary. They are much nicer than the old school vinyl tracks from AFV Club and Academy.
Steve Zaloga gives this kit an entire chapter in his Osprey book, "Modelling the US Army M4 (76mm) Sherman Medium Tank." You've already covered many of the problems in the kit, including the two part mudguards in front. One small correction--the support rib spot welded on the front mudguards that angles out from the hull side is not the full width of the fender--it's a small sheet metal triangle about one third the width. There are a couple of good photos of late M4A1's in Zaloga's "US Tank Battles in Germany" (published by Concord) which show this feature
In the Osprey book, Zaloga shows how to backdate the kit. The large casting numbers on the turret top were not seen on the castings used for M4A1's (he places them further forward, using smaller numbers). Looks like you've already puttied them over. Early castings also had a figure eight shaped coaming surrounding the two cupolas (easily added from epoxy putty), and the armored vent cowling on the turret rear was not present on the first batch, either.
You may or may not want to backdate the turret--since you haven't painted it yet, you could just depict a later tank. The first batch of about 200 were issued for Operation Cobra, but more were delivered in early 1945 (most tanks delivered in the Fall of 1944 were M4A3).

Thanks for all the great Info Gerald. I'll look at the fender issue and get that sorted out. I guess I should have provided a Picture of the turret roof details I changed. I do have Steve Z's book and have used it as a build compass. I really do appreciate the helpful comments, they are going to make a better modeller and help me with my next build. Thanks again guys

Looks great!!

I'm one of the few people who don't mind doing the indies.Ya just have to get into a zone!!

Thanks for sharing.

Andy

Well done!, I like it so much. More pics!!!!

Regards, Alvaro

PD: The M4A1 76 w, Its my favourite Sherman!

...and we're ready for paint. This beast rolls into the paint shop tomorrow.

I can't wait to see this one with some color on it. I have to admit, though, it looks pretty darn neat as it sits now, clean build that it is. Nice work.

-YL

Sorry Yoni, I had to put some paint on it Here we go.

Hey Cameron nice paint job! I like the black and live drab camo, what paints did you use?

Nice paint and nice mags

Russ

Thanks Guys,
Calvin I used Tamiya OD and Dark Yellow approximately 60-40 mix.
Those mags are 1/1 scale Russ and come pre-assembled LOL.

Clap, clap , clap ! Well done, I like your paint job and mix!

Regards, Alvaro

Nice build and paint job for 15 years away that is killer.

Keep it up.

Now the mags from what Model 1 to1 scale may I ask?

Impressive job. Like the contrast of the O.D. and black camo. Hard to imagine its only your second build in so many years. Excellent work and attention to detail.

Doug