¹⁄35

hold on...hold on...

Part 2 "#11- M4A1"

There are a couple of things that must be remembered; I had an excellent reference source for how exactly the tank would look, plans always change, and things happen.

Details of #11 were discussed at length between viewing the photos, reviewing Mr. Holt's Fathers Diary, and reviewing veteran's accounts. Included in the discussion was the type of headlights, casting marks, tank markings, camouflage, tools, stowage and damage. These are some of the reference photos:

Photos 0025, 0025a, 0025b, 0025c and 0025d

Construction of M4A1 #11 of A Company of the 752nd Tank Battalion

For my 1st attempt I used the Dragon M4A1 Early #6048, Fruilmodel T54E1 Tracks, Edward PE Detail #35339 and the Czech Master 75mm Gun with Late Mantlet and MG Shield #CMKHB058. Scary isn't it. My 1st attempt. To make a long story short this is the point where I dropped the tank on the floor and stepped on it as recalled in Part 1 "The Base".

For my second and final attempt, I used the following list of kits

• Dragon M4A1 Early #6048 (Just the turret was left)
• Italeri M4a1 Early #0225
• Tiger Model Designs M4A1 Early Hull with Hatches
• Edward PE M4A1 Detail #35339
• Formations Models:
• Round Air cleaner's #F023
• 3 Piece Transmission Cover #F024
• Siren Assortment #F046
• Headlights #F050

A much better selection of kits then the 1st go round. My view on all these different detail kits are; Use what looks best and closely resembles photo references. I swear I have enough left-over parts to make 2 more. The construction was all normal with no hidden flaws in the material. The basic construction is the always the same, what's fun is changing specific items to get the look you want.

First is the transmission cover foundry marks. We had a perfect example to follow. I cut off the markings from A Tamiya sprue I had in my spares box and applied them to the housing. Of course after scrapping off all the others.

Photo 0026, 0026a, 0026b and 0026c

General photos of construction; Photo 0027, 0027a and 0027b

The camo netting; Made with cheese cloth, painted a camo design, dipped in liquid starch and formed on the tank. The deflector made from lead foil. The lenses were repainted to the correct state at a later date. Also applied was a black camo pattern painted very light and dry brushed over in armor sand. Of additional note is that I applied 4 washes to the tank. Black first for depth, umber over all for dirt, pin point dark brown for caked dirt and sienna for a slight used look.

Photo 0028

Just before starting on #221 I experimented with powders and what combination I would use. These are the samples; Photo 0029 This ends this portion of the M4A1 construction; the final weathering is covered in the final section when I weather all pieces together.