I have just about finished my M4A3E2. I experimented with filters and preshading on this model. I am fairly happy with the result. I would like to do some further weathering with pastels or pigments before calling it quits. Here are some photos of the model. Any comments are appreciated. I did notice the silvering on the decal.

Very nice model. The only thing, in my view, is the .50 that looks a bit too "flat" and needing a bit more dry brushing...
Ciao

Very nice job. What kit is this?

Only comment might be to add some additional storage, that seems to be the only thing American vehicles have in common, plenty of packs and things hanging on them.

Looks fine.I agree on adding maybe a folded tarp,and boxes and some crew gear bags.Also,if it is not too tricky for you,find and shave off the ribs that the "handles on the drivers hatches,loader's hatch,and TC's hatch.Bend some fine wire,drill holes matching the ends of the ribs,and superglue in.
Also if you can,a sherman always looks good with a towcable.
(++) (++) (++) (++) (++)

How did you complete the vision blocks around the cupola?
thanks
DJ

Good comments and suggestions all. I agree with the comment on the 50 cal it does need more drybrushing to bring out the detail. My next tank model will be a vehicle for me to experiment with replacing handholds and grabs with wire, I am thinking that I will use copper wire for that. I finished the vision blocks by using thinned black enamal, it gives a sense of depth and then careful drybrushing around the block. I love the look of a vehicle with extra gear but at this point I am trying to get the basic paint jobs down.

And the opposite ... the boggies seem to be a tad over drybrushed .... I know you will weather some more .......... I love drybrushing as an effect ...... but when its overdone it can look #:-) . The back decal in the 1st pic is very heavily silvered ... maybe its just the photo that makes it worse. Is there anyway to re-set this. The top decal shows the pentagon shape where you cut it out. One advantage of clearcoating over decals is that it hides this!
On the plus side the modell is outstanding. I love the tracks, the colour and colour variations, and that armored plate at the front ... all excellent. i agree with the others about some stowage ..... really brings the vehicle alive. Nice one!!

Tank, nice jumbo. Some very effective subtle shading is especially evident in the second pic. Impressive. The tools also look good.

You might consider drybrushing some steel on the track to accentuate the wear on the cleat across the rubber track block. The cupola glass could also use another hit of your black enamel to make them a tad more sheeny.

This is looking good---congrats.

Steve

Sorry Plasticbattle, but I had another look to the .50 and I can confirm the impressions I stated before... and I'm one that doesn't look excessive weathering/effects on the models.
Ciao

Phantom Major here, having an ID crisis LOl

i would have toned down the tracks more they look far to black in my opinion.... as it it was new and out of the factory. the rubber should be more grey in colour but appart from that it is outstanding M4 Well done

Are my eyes deceiving me or is it just the photo? Rather looks as if you've used rubber chevron tracks on one side and steel chevron on the other.

FYI to all -- those are T62 steel chevron tracks with duckbill extended end connectors and have no rubber parts.

Also, I wouldn't overdo the wear-and-tear on the .50-caliber. If you get it too silver, it just doesn't look right.

Ok, I wasn't aware of that. So, there should be no rubber effect whatever on this set of tracks then, just rust, dirt, and wear. Is that correct?

I have to apologize for my previous post in this thread and I just completely misunderstood what Frank (Plasticbattle) meant in his reply.
Sorry again Frank
Ciao

That is correct.

Instead of repainting the entire track, you might just try dry-brushing the track pads with the same color you painted the duckbills and end connectors, then adding some bare metal effect on the raised portions of the track. I like to do this with pencil graphite, but other folks use gunmetal or even silver paint. Don't forget to also repaint the spare track blocks at the rear of the hull.

Nice job on the M4A3E2 Jumbo. I like the weathering and fading on your OD paint. I agree that the tracks should be all steel tracks. The T-48 Tracks were Rubber-Chevron. However, Tamiya does its best to represent the all-steel T-54E1 Track (or is that T-62) with Duckbills. These were common to the Jumbo, but I have seen photos of M4A3E2s with T-48 Tracks w/ duckbills (AFV Club makes a nice set of these). The decals should be chipped up a bit I think. Most Jumbo Shermans had no markings (except the the registration codes) at all. Bottom line is you experimented with your painting techniques, and it appears you acheived the result you wanted. Armor modelling is all about taking a kit and learning new tricks on improving that existing kit. Great job so far.

Cheers !

Robert,
Alpenflage Hobbies

I think you are correct, Robert. I popped off my reply a bit too quickly. Doesn't really matter as they are both all-steel tracks and that was my primary point.

I am repainting visible portions of the track to reflect its all metal nature and will do just a tad bit more work to the 50 cal, nothing extreme. I am planning on doing a bit more weathering to the bogies so that will tone done the drybrushing there. Not much I can do about the one decal, it reacted to the decal setting solution by turning white. I will hide it in some way. This input is great and I really appreciate all the suggestions.