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Tamiya M26 Dragon Wagon and M4 Sherman

a build story by Michael Walsh
14
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Introduction
The task of building the M26 Dragon Wagon and trailer was somewhat of a mega project to take on for this is the biggest model I have built to date. The inspiration for building the M26 was due to covering the American Army formations and the recovery of the armoured vehicles during WW2. The M26 entered service in 1943 and had a number of upgrades from an armoured cab to an un-armoured cab and after WW2 it was handed over to various European nations and the Japanese self defense forces. I wanted to portray this vehicle in its intended role of recovering of a mine damaged M4 Sherman. The intention was that the mine had damaged the lower side of the Hull and needed to be returned to the rear for repairs. The M4 was limited in markings as to place the vehicle into a particular theatre of operations.

About the Author

About Michael Walsh (airborne1)
FROM: QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

My interest in plastic modeling started when I was 10 with building the odd 1/72nd scale plane or tank ,with moving around a lot there was a break from the model building until 1987 when I come across the Verlinden Publications which sparked my interest to building military vehicles and dioramas. I...


Comments

orange_3D
Impressive. Very nice model.
JAN 10, 2011 - 03:28 PM
Big-John
Incredible, breathtaking, I like it very much!
JAN 10, 2011 - 06:10 PM
Carter
Beautiful work! These were rated at 40 tons, but I've read that in practice they could haul a heavier load. Did these ever carry Pershings?
JAN 11, 2011 - 08:10 AM
airborne1
Thanks Everyone for your kind words.They are appreciated . Can I also add a special thanks to Darren and Kieth for their work to provide this article at Armorama. My apologies I have no weathering progress photos as I have tried a variety of methods used on this vehicle which used various techniques from pastel chalks to Pigments and a small variation of mixing gyprock wall filler, acrylic paints and bird sand for the mud in the tire tracks. I would like to share more articles in the weathering process in future articles throughout the year. I'm glad you like the images. Michael
JAN 11, 2011 - 07:37 PM
Spiderfrommars
A stunning work Michael congrats, i'm very impressed I'm sorry, probably you've already written it in the article, but how long did it take you to finish it? I Always complain About my modelling slowness...If I were you I'd finish a similar work in about a century (and of, course with not the same results) Cheers and congrats again
JAN 11, 2011 - 08:22 PM
airborne1
Hi Mauro, Thanks for your kind words. The time it took to do this was a period of a good 9 months. That was for both tank and Dragon Wagon. The intention was to complete this and a diorama for Euro 2003 The diorama was partly started halfway through 2003 withe the dragon wagon. I realised doing the groundwork on the dio that it was not going to be finished in time The Dragon Wagon made Euro 2003 but was not completely finished . It was another 12 months for weathering from using pigments and different weathering techniques during 2004 The final one was using faber castel pencil scratches and marks for the m26 and M4 . And now ,you see the end result . Michael
JAN 11, 2011 - 11:46 PM
Dangeroo
Great looking combo Mike and a very insightful article. Thanks! Cheers! Stefan
JAN 12, 2011 - 04:33 AM
Spiderfrommars
Yes i can see really stunning On average, how many hours a week do you model ? Did you give a primer coat on your models? (as i said, if you've already written in the text, i'm sorry in advance) If yes, what primer did you use? The m4 wreck seems to me incredible convincing and realistic I think that modelling is not just a a matter of correct execution of techniques I believe that just talent can make the difference between a "good model" and a "special one".Well, i'm happy 'cause here in Armorama i have the chance to see the works of many "talented" modellers. In my opinion you're one of them. Cheers and thanks for share your work
JAN 12, 2011 - 11:07 AM
airborne1
Thanks again Mauro and Stefan for your kind words. modelling time per week could be anything up to 4 hours. I am in the midst of completing a M2 Half track although this has taken far longer than anticipated. I have been side tracked playing Bad Company on XBOX live and this does not help when you have cupboards full of models to build The primer used on the 2 models would have been Humbrol No1 Matt primer. I like Model Masters primer but have found when you do not use it for awhile it solidifies . I only prime the parts or areas that need priming .I do not spray the primer all over the model. Once primed I then airbrush the model with the base colour . Michael
JAN 12, 2011 - 03:23 PM
Spiderfrommars
As I thought. Using less primer is better Thanks a lot for your explanations I hope to see soon another of your work cheers
JAN 12, 2011 - 07:35 PM
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Copyright ©2021 by Michael Walsh. Images and/or videos also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. The views and opinions expressed herein are solely the views and opinions of the authors and/or contributors to this Web site and do not necessarily represent the views and/or opinions of Armorama, KitMaker Network, or Silver Star Enterrpises. All rights reserved. Originally published on: 2011-01-10 00:00:00. Unique Reads: 38673