_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Another Sherman and questions
MZ3
Visit this Community
Colorado, United States
Joined: August 26, 2005
KitMaker: 229 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 10:12 AM UTC
Dragon M4A2 Tarawa

First pics







Now questions...

Should the exaust be rusted?
I had a hard time with the antenna, trying to go off of the pics at Tarawa on the web. Is there a proper length for antennas on Shermans?

I don't normally build tanks. I wanted to do a nice, straight forward Sherman.
Hollowpoint
Visit this Community
Kansas, United States
Joined: January 24, 2002
KitMaker: 2,748 posts
Armorama: 1,797 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 05:46 PM UTC
Jason: Very clean build and nice finish. The antenna is OK -- it could be a little longer and thinner, but it is alright. Don't go nuts rusting the exhaust -- a light coat of rust or other discolorations from heat will do it.

One thing that kind of bugs me are the tracks. Are they the kit tracks or aftermarket? The driver's side (left side) track is especially droopy on top. Sherman tracks were "live tracks," meaning they did not sag. They rested on the top skids, but did not sag between the bogies. If the tracks are too long, you may need to remove a link to tighten them up.
GeraldOwens
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 06:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Jason: Very clean build and nice finish. The antenna is OK -- it could be a little longer and thinner, but it is alright. Don't go nuts rusting the exhaust -- a light coat of rust or other discolorations from heat will do it.

One thing that kind of bugs me are the tracks. Are they the kit tracks or aftermarket? The driver's side (left side) track is especially droopy on top. Sherman tracks were "live tracks," meaning they did not sag. They rested on the top skids, but did not sag between the bogies. If the tracks are too long, you may need to remove a link to tighten them up.


In his review and build, Steve Zaloga suggested either positioning the idler at its rearmost position or removing a link to keep the tracks tight. Glad I read that before I started building mine.
MZ3
Visit this Community
Colorado, United States
Joined: August 26, 2005
KitMaker: 229 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 06:31 PM UTC
The tracks are Friul's. The idle wheel on the left side actually broke off a couple of nights ago and I had to pin it back in place, but I just couldn't get it back in the original place. I'll mess with them later.

Thank you for the info.

I put the ilde wheels in the lowest position. I'll change that. Hopefully.
SGTJKJ
#041
Visit this Community
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: July 20, 2006
KitMaker: 10,069 posts
Armorama: 4,677 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 07:23 PM UTC
Hi Jason, good job on this one. A very nice Shermie by any standard.
Small corrections on the tracks will make it perfect.

Thanks for sharing
exer
Visit this Community
Dublin, Ireland
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 08:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I don't normally build tanks. I wanted to do a nice, straight forward Sherman.


Good luck

That's the way it starts you think I'll just aftermarket tracks and before you know it you're buying up Formations entire back catalogue

Apart from the tracks already mentioned I think you've done a terrific job. So what do you normally build?
MZ3
Visit this Community
Colorado, United States
Joined: August 26, 2005
KitMaker: 229 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Friday, July 27, 2007 - 04:09 AM UTC
I usually build sci-fi and mechas, sprinkle with a hint of other stuff. I have a couple of posts on Modelgeek's message board.

I fixed the tracks, I'm letting it dry before I move it.


Quoted Text

Good luck

That's the way it starts you think I'll just aftermarket tracks and before you know it you're buying up Formations entire back catalogue


I started a M51 last night
MZ3
Visit this Community
Colorado, United States
Joined: August 26, 2005
KitMaker: 229 posts
Armorama: 32 posts
Posted: Friday, July 27, 2007 - 08:30 AM UTC
Tracks fixed.



I repinned the left side and put a pin in the right side. After that, there was still too much track, so I removed a link.
Hollowpoint
Visit this Community
Kansas, United States
Joined: January 24, 2002
KitMaker: 2,748 posts
Armorama: 1,797 posts
Posted: Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:22 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Tracks fixed.



I repinned the left side and put a pin in the right side. After that, there was still too much track, so I removed a link.


Much better! I'm glad you could fix it without too much trouble.
 _GOTOTOP