A while back, I acquired the Formations Ram II OP conversion (Thanks John!!!!) and I thought it was time to get started.

So an afternoon of work, some sanding and gluing, has the upper hull attached to the Tamiya donor lower hull. Overall so far, the fit is pretty decent. The air filters were a tight fit, and I had to sand the back side of them flat.

I'll be watching this with great interest. I haven't seen anyone build anything I've cast that I can think of.

John

What Tamiya hull are you using?

Tamiya 35190, early Sherman kit hull.

Kevin,

The Formations Ram is an outstanding kit. It's quite accurate and goes together pretty darned well.

The only "rivet counter" change I made to mine was to increase the radius if the hull shape where it rounds over from the sides to the top of the sponsons. It's too sharp, it should be much more gentle, even for the later Rams, though those are a little sharper than the earliest hull castings.

It's a subtle thing, but does change the look enough for me to have corrected mine. If you do it you'll need to add some epoxy putty on the interior surface of those corners as you'll end up removing pretty much all of the existing resin material to get to the right shape.

Paul

I have added a few more parts, and must say for a resin kit, the parts fits well with little sanding.

I have marked out the tie downs on the rear deck, which are not included in the kit or shown on the diagrams, but reference show them.



Also the fuel filler caps are on, and the wire is included.



Back soon with more.

And more progress, tools placed on rear deck, spools built, lights mounted using plastic strip for guards, and antenna mounts.




Next up running gear.

Looking good there Kevin! Spools look great!

Sorry been a while since I have updated this blog. I completed the bogies, which were from the Tamiya kit. The conversion set did include wheels, but I found them too narrow for the Tamiya bogies, and due to the difference, the Tamiya wheels looked better in the bogies. Now that is not to say the Formation wheels are bad, they are very well cast, just don't look right in the Tamiya bogies in my opinion.

Anyways bogies are mounted, and I have used both Tamiya primer(anal because of the resin) followed by a thin coat of Ammo black primer. Several light coats of Vallejo Olive Drab have been applied, and gloss coat and decals will be next. I have multiple set of Archer decals that will be used.




I do have to say, I am rather impressed with this conversion from Formations. I have heard comments about it not being 100% accurate due to the roundness of the corners, but in my opinion it builds a rather nice looking Ram II OP. It builds very well, and would be a model to be proud of. And I can't wait to get it marked up, stowage'd, and weathered.

That looks great! i didnt realize just how much different the Ram was from a regular Sherman till i saw this. I always thought it was just a new turret.

The Borden tank museum has a really nice restored Ram there

It really is a nice model and the rounding of the corners is a small point compared to all the things that Dana (master maker) and Rob (caster) got right.

Not that I didn't rag on Dana about the corners when I saw him after seeing the kit.

Paul

Decal now on, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, 23 Field Artilley.




I have started working on the track, ModelKasten T54E1, and not fun to put together. The track pads sandwich the connector rods, the end connectors with horns then attached, the connection bolt added(very very small), then the tread added. But after hours of work, one track done, and must say it looks great.





Working on some stowage as well, combination of my favorite Value Gear, with some AFV Club jerry cans, etc.

This is looking great and the tracks too! Looks like they still articulate which is no mean feat.