Hi all,
Since last time: I have moved the tools, removed filler caps and turned handles around on rear deck. I have addded a cullin device and some sandbag armour could you please give me some comments on the sand bags this is my first time doing them( I know the shot isn't the greatest and I apoligize)
On the house i have added the door and wallpaper. I still need to stain the upper window frame and find a floor covering.
All comments welcome

The sandbags looks a bit floating.

Thanks Ralph, I realise that they are just there in a test position. But thanks for the comment

Hi Andy...

Coming along nicely....but don't you think those sandbags are a bit out of scale? I think they had to use a crane to get these things on!!

Just my two cents, John.

LOL :-) Probaly John, Do you think half that size would be better?

Hi andy,

Half size would be a lot better I think, but here's a link to my Sandbagged Shermie, which is done with Trakz AM stuff...

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/34740&page=1

Hope this helped, John.

Andy ... I have to agree with the other guys ... the sand bags look way to big and have too many gaps between them. If you are making sandbags they are better placed on the tank and painted in poisition.
Check Roadkills excellent article on making them. I have used it twice and its the way to go.
Making sandbags by Ronny Noben

Its also a good idea to push some extra protection from spare wheels and tracks into the soft bags. It addes to the detail of the subject as well.
I would even consider these bags of mine bordering on being too big as well!

Ooops!! I think you didn't get some of my explanations right .. The filler cap you had to remove is the one on the back part of the engine hatch..and the handles for lifting the engin hatch have to be the other way around and not like in the diagram that was posted.. The shovel you used is a british shovel and is not in the right place ..also the only tool that should be back there is the hand crank.The sledge hammer and idler wrench are just behind the engine hatch between the gouserbox covers on top.. The shovel should be in the same place as the later M4A1 as with the axe ,matlock and pry bar.You should remove the hinges for the luggage rack as these M4A1 didn't have these on the back. Hey Andy I feel bad that you sanded off the wrong gas caps ...if you don't have any spares PM me and I'll send you out a few I have here extra.. The sand bags are way too big but everyone has told you that ...a little trick on making sandbags use a putty like milliput and while the are wet use either a fine mesh or a pair of nylons and press in some fabric weave then use your exacto and make the seam around the middle .. Don,t forget the size compared to 1/35 scale figures and not all were filled as much as the other ... I'll try and have a friend scan my picture for me this week end and I'll send it to you asap. Sorry again for the misunderstandings..I feel bad about it ...

Rick

Hi Andy,
First let me start by saying I think you are doing a great job so far and taking on a sherman is never an easy project at the best of times. That said I agree with what everyone here has mentioned. I wish I had seen your previous thread earlier. I guess you have 2 options now to fix the rear end. One would be to cover it all up with a few tarps or Air recognition panels. Or fix it, which really wouldnt be all that hard to do. I have plenty of parts laying about the shop if you need any,,Just holler.Also here is a pic of Cheehong Ahns M4A1 75 Late borrowed from Missing lynx. Usually I dont like to use a model as an example but it does give the clearest view I could find. Here you can see the complete tool layout and the Filler caps that need to be removed. I hope this helps in some small way. Rick really knows his stuff too so your lucky to have him pulling for ya as well
cheers,
Bryan

Andy I think your house is coming along very well! I have to agree with the others on the sand bags they need to be halved I think. Keep us posted on progress.
Cheers Kevin

Hi guys, i have already changed the sandbags and will hopefully post some pics later tonight.

Rick: Thats all right, I probaly misunderstood your instructions. The reason why I took of those filler caps is because there are no others to remove in that area .I realise the shovel is British I put it on cause I didn't have any US ones. I think Iwill just cover the rear deck with ID panels and stowage. I may just leave the tools there if I can't unstick them.
Bryan: Thanks for the photo it is good

Hi all,
Here is a photo of the redone Sand bags. Do they still look a little big?
TIA

I'd make those sand bags even a bit smaller and then don't forget to push them down over the details ..Remember these are full of sand or dirt and will mold to the shape under them.

Rick

Some of the sandbags looks a bit more round. I agree with thebear, it needs to be pushed all way down. Sandbags are heavy.

Lord Kiwi

You have under taken quite a project here young Jedi :-)

Andy, as usual your base work is really solid. The walls/window/interior look, and (I believe I detect cobble stones in the last pic) are well done. I admire your scratch abilities here as your dio scenes of late are going up a notch every time. Well done.

As for the sandbags. For size, "The Verlinden Way" Volume II mentions he sizes sandbags by rolling out his putty and cuts to a size about 1/4 inch thick and about 3/8inches long, and then shapes the sand bag from there.

As a reality check, try looking at one of your sandbags in relation to a 1/35th figure. If the sandbag looks like it would be a nut buster to carry (relative to the fig's size), its probably too big.

Your second attempt however is an improvement over the first. I like the way you have arranged the pile. Don't be afraid to softly push/form them around each other, or over the light guards, etc, on the front of the tank. A nice touch would be to place a board across the front glacis plate between the two fenders and start your first row of bags sitting on the board. An alternative to the board would be a welded metal beam of some sort across the glacis, perhaps with some points to hang a bucket or other such gear.

Keep it up pal.

Steve

Since that last photo of the sand bags I have done them again and they are smaller I followed Ronnys technique in the link given by Plasticbattle and they look a lot better. Though now I have decided not to have as many sand bags.

Steve glad to see you are still looking for the bucket way lol

I finally got a friend to scan the image for you ..This comes from MMiR Modeling the Sherman Tank ..


Hope this helps a bit .

Rick

Thanks very much for that Rick It is excellent

Hi Andrew:

Here is a pic of a Sherman M4A1 76W that yet isn´t finished. I´ve seen the other pics of the tanks with sandbags and I dicided to post mine too. I don´t know if they are the right size but I like how they look. Maybe it helps you in determinig the size of the sandbags.

Cool sherman Carlos,
My sandbags are much the same size too