Hi Guys,

i need some feed back on these two kits. They have done the rounds before but I've finally goten around to sorting out the crews and have upgraded them with periscope guards and things.

They will form 2 of the 4 tanks in my IG dio and as this was what brought me back into modelling I want to get them as right/good looking as I can and as I think they are finally done (famous last words) I need some honest comments as the other two still need upgraded.

This is an important project for me because the dio will also repesent my old regiment and I therefore want to get it as right/good looking as possible which is why I've taken so long to get the crews, and learn how to do different things.

Crews have harness where appropriate and I've added some internal features to the Sherman turret, nothing ground breaking but just so that it's not an empty hole. Even managed to ues some of the little PE guards on the Stuart although I scratched a few two. Even scratched a radio for the Sherman although little can be see of it.

So where can they be improved??? The Mk V has been slightly more heavily weathered than originally shown but I'm not sure if it looks right or not.











I think the Stuart looks much better with the additional crew members









I can't decide about the weathering I've done, what say you? The Ultracast Crewman gives a much better feel to what I'm working towards.





Good or bad - fire away.

Thanks in advance.

Al

Al,

I like them. I was mainly focused on the Sherman (surprised?), but I think both look good. I think the mud/dirt along the side of the Sherman above the bogies (in the area of the sandshield attachment strips) is a little heavy for my liking, with maybe a bit too much of a demarkation line where it just sort of stops going up the hull. But it's not bad by any stretch. The builds look solid as well. Love those Irish Guards tanks.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Thanks for that. It's kinda my feeling too that it goes a bit too high on the sides creating as you say a demarkation line although I like the tone. The original had less mud but the tanks will be on a muddy track and I was tring to create the idea of previous encounters although they will be in a convoy type situation.

I think the front has worked well but more work on the sides to lessen the mud and bring it down nearer the line.

Cheers

Al

Hi Alan,
I agree the weathering along the Sherman's sides looks a little heavy and maybe it's the photos but some paint rubbed off around the hull hatches wouldn't go amiss.
Other than that all I can see is the M5 commander's map.
It looks too new and stiff.
Maybe some light staining and more creasing would help (a couple of rings on it from tea mugs?).
If he was up and down into the turret all day how long would the map stay looking like you have it? He'd button up and hastily cram it into a nook somewhere while he got on with commnading the tank.
How big is this dio going to be?
All the best
Tom

Hi Tom,

Excellent point about the map, thank you. Couldn't see it for looking at it. That problem has been dealt with

The dio will contain two more Shermans, another Mk V (late) this time and a Firefly VC. along with the new Bronco Humber Mk 1 when it arrives.

The New Ultracast figures got me going on it again as they are just right for what I wanted, that and Brad's periscope technique, which will help complete the vehicles, as I have still two more to upgrade.

I have two boards one 17 x 28 and the other 23 x 28. The tanks will be advancing up a rising farm track past the side of a small French Farm. Parked by the farm wil be the Firefly (providing fire support) and the Humber. If I use the larger of the two boards I will put some infantry moving across an open field on the LHS. There may be some German Paras with AT weapons further up the track if space allows.

Thanks again for the feedback, very useful.

Cheers

Al

Alan,
What are the base kits?
I might have a bash at a Stuart sometime myself.
Happy Modelling
Tom

Gday Al
I really like the weathering, as to me it is much more representational (whew!) of actual mud and dust and grime.

Helluva point Tom makes here! I was thinking along the lines of having the top half folded over onto the turret top, but some extra touches

are a great idea!
As for the hullside 'muddy line', I reckon you could get away with it if you had some sporadic finer dots sprayed lightly up, even to the top edge, (flicked off a brush tip?) to represent when muddy water gets squeezed out of puddles etc. Once on the muddy road it'll make more sense...

Keep up the good work bloke
Cheers
Brad

Hi Charlie, Tom, Brad,

Thanks for the reply guys. Changes are a-foot as they say!!!

Apologies for the delay in replying, home PC is in for repair.

Tom for the Stuart I used the old Tamiya kit and the AA conversion but now the AFV Club kit is out tht might not be necessary. The Mk V is the Dragon Firefly VC Hull and a Tamiya M4 Turrret.

Thanks for the feedback. More later as I hve now added some additional stowage and sorted out a few things.

Cheers

Al

Hi Al

I can just picture the commander of the Stuart with the map wrapped round his face

Crashing through a few hedges would also remove a fair bit of the mud from the sides (and also any stowage which is why it wasn't put there). Apart from that, the only question would be about two of the crew of the Stuart both being on the radio at the same time. Is that feasible?

Minor nit picks really.

All the best

David

They both look great mate, interesting to see Armargh written on the tank as its not far from me, shame its not Tyrone!

My only nit-pick is as David mentions:




That map is far to big! trim it down to a more 'scale' size and you have yourself a couple of lovely tanks mate!

James

Very nice couple of british tanks! Congrats!

I am looking forward to see the finished dio. The mud on the side of the Sherman has already been discussed. No need to keep beating the poor dead horse. The weathering on both AFVs look comparable and look as though they have been traveling in the same convoy, on the same roads. Nicely done!

Cheers
Dave

Hi David, Dave and James,

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll post a few updates on them all when my PC is up and running again.

Cheers folks.

Al