I have become engrossed in World War II history and I have decided to join the rest of you and build some armor models. For my first project, I have decided to build Tamiya's M4A3 Sherman 75mm tank (35250), and I was looking to see if there were any guides on the web that would help me build and paint this exact model. I have a few magazines and books illustrating some techniques used for armor model construction and painting, but I believe having a guide for this exact model would be more beneficial.

I also need to buy paints but I have noticed that Tamiya recommends 16 different paints for this particular model. Are all of these paints required to get a fairly good representation of this model? I am sort of on a tight budget and spending $50+ on paints is probably too much. Are there any good acrylic paint sets that tamiya sells?

Hi Brett and welcome to Armorama. There is an excellent article by our own Dave O Meara (Grumpyoldman) on building that very kit here on Armorama

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/1053
Enjoy.
As for paint, well you need Olive Drab, black or grey for the wheel tires and brown for the tool handles, You could use graphite pencil for the tools and MGs and some powder pastels for weathering.
Build up your paint collection slowly- that way you won't feel the pain.

Hey Brett, welcome to the club.
Testors makes a whole slew of enamel paints that will fit the bill for any minor colours you need.

http://www.testors.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=33

Their #1180 Steel, #1181 Aluminum, #1182 Brass and #1183 Rubber are all useful for anyone who's going to build AFV's.
They're small 1/4 oz bottles and should cost about $1.50 to $2.50 each

Testors also have a range called Model Master II in acrylic and enamel which cover a great number of WW II colours, Allied and Axis.

http://www.testors.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=42

http://www.testors.com/catalog_browse.asp?ictNbr=47

A little more expensive but worth looking into,
Cheers

jjumbo

Gday Brett
I am about 85% done on the construction phase of this particular kit.
Having built primarily Shermans, I can say that I have learnt plenty more between the time it took me to build the first of this version, until this recent one of the same kit...
I'm also building Tamiya M4 (mid production) 35190, which to me would possibly be more user-friendly, but I say this in regards to building a fairly accurate kit. They both build easily but as stated there is more work needed to represent an accurate version.
If you need any assistance during the build, don't hesitate to post, as like me there are a few blokes here who like to see Sherman threads...
Paints can be bought cheaply. I have even used artist's pastels ground into powder and applied with water, and then used a clear fixer to seal them. I don't have an airbrush, so I do a primer job with general purpose grey primer spray can, and then splurge with a Tamiya Olive drab rattle can to put a base down.
India inks can be used for filters and washes too...
Cheers
Brad

Great I will look into all of your suggestions. Thanks for the help


The basic order of painting would then would be:

Primer -> Base Coats -> Clear Gloss -> Sealer-> Wash->Weathering Pastels->Dry Brushing->Optional Second Sealer

????

Hi Brett,
WELCOME...TO ARMORAMA...Glad your here. As to the painting this is how I paint .
(#1)Clean model trees with dishsoap)(#2)build model)(#3)Prime..I use Tamyia LT GRAY Primer)(#4)Main paint coat..)(#5)Glosscoat only were Decals are going)(#6)Washes)
(#7)Decals)(#8)Pastels)(#9)Flat Coat Sealer)
That's how I do it just make your own style and build and paint in the way that's is good for you.

Cheers.
Mike.