Well, Gents...

This will be a multiple and (I think...) interesting project ...

The world of Modelling won another manufacturer of conversion and resin kits The Model Club Productions, from Brazil:
http://modelclubproductions.blogspot.com/


Seeing the propaganda of Model Club, immediately ordered the kit.
Must have been one of the first customers... I love conversion kits, and even more of WWII.

The kit is the 3501 Sherman M4A3E8's Concrete Armor:



The Model Club recommends as the host kit the Dragon´s M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight (kit 6183)


I have this kit, but I also have two other Easy Eights in my inventory.

I decided to assemble the 03 tanks together and then, test the conversion kit in all 03 hulls.

Of course the version with concret armor should be completed with the M23 76mm turret.

The modeler could use the hull Academy with a 76mm M23 turret from Dragon or even Italeri.

Here is the older kit: Dragon 9010:


...and M4A3E8 105mm Dozer Academy, which I bought to cannibalize the dozer blade.


With the removal of the dozer blade, I use the Academy kit to build the HVSS 105mm as used at the end of WWII in the Pacific and in Europe (I only build kits of WWI and WWII)




It is a pity that I have not at hand the brand new kit Tasca M4A3E8 for this multiple project, but who knows in the near future??


let´s rock !!!

The players:


The conversion kit of Model Club is very simple, but very well done.

It consists of 03 pieces that represent "armor" of concrete (two sides and one piece for the front hull).

The polyurethane resin parts are excellent. They feature a textured surface and detailed aspect of concrete, no bubbles or warping ...


I will start assembling the three tanks ...

Observing in detail the photos, we can see the difference that year (and the criticism ...) made with the Dragon models. The Dragon´s older model (9010) features several disadvantages when compared to the more modern. ..


In terms of dimensions and angles, the hulls are very similar



...although the handles of the front hull is more to the sides in the 9010 kit than in the other two ...


The more modern hulls have the option of the engine grills as a separate piece, if the modeler wants to detail the inside.



The Oldest Dragon hull comes with the engine cover "fixed", as well as horrible notches in the positioning of tools:


Dragon 6183 and Academy´s hulls, more modern, have foundries marks with good weld seams ...


The old Dragon (9010) shows the absence of this important detail:


To correct this flaw, I'll use the decals from Archer ...


I decided to start assembling the hull older.

The Dragon used the Italeri´s molds to make the lower hull of 9010 kit...
Impressive....

Well ... live and learn ...

To adapt the bogies HVSS in a hull VVSS, some surgical steps are needed, "candidly" explained in the instructions booklet ...

Look and ...


Compared with the more modern hull (6183). This one, designed for the suspension HVSS:


But back to the Surgical Center ... Cutting the support of the bogies, with Dremel and abrasive tool:


And the hull finished and sanded, ready to receive the bogies HVSS: At least the holes are a valuable guidance for the holders of the bogies ...


Glueing the transmission cover ...

Here, the model age shown blatantly: A piece that was originally cast in earth molds (and therefore with a roughness surface ...) is presented in old kit smooth as "an angel butt"...


Here's the piece of "new" Dragon 6183:


Comparative pic:



But back to the hull Dragon 9010:

Holders of the bogies attached...

Hull signed with the positioning of the return rollers, another pearl of ancient kit.

Measures such as 10.5 mm and 13.4 mm making the strongest cry ...):




To the return rollers become perfectly aligned, follow the steps of the booklet. I used a "ruler" of wood to align the tops of the rollers.

They have different diameters: Instructions of the booklet are correct ...


Always a too boring step: the cleaning of suspension components ...


And the beginning of the 9010 bogies assembly ... The alignment is essential here ...


While the "legs" of 9010 was dry and firm, I started cleaning the suspension components of the Dragon hull 6183 ...

Infernal gods, why there are so many little pieces??

The Dragon is weird ...

Or do an adaptation, like the ugly 9010 hull ... or make a crazy amount of parts in the new kits (many would simply be injected into sub-sets ..) on behalf of "detailing in a state of art ... "

This also led to many complaints and it seems that the Dragon has found a balance in the Smart-Kit ...


But leaving aside the philosophy ...



This was the beginning of the party ... wait more pictures soon!

hugs ...

Marcos,

Excellent story so far! Will you replace the engine access plate on the bottom of the early Dragon hull? It should look like the long one on the later hull, since the Ford GAA engine was very different to the Continental radial engine from the old Italeri kit...

I look forward to seeing how the concrete fits.

Regards,

Tom

You should have waited untill the Tasca kit comes out or use AFV Club's HVSS suspension.
Dan

Marcos: since you're using the more recent DML M4A3E8 kit, make sure you remove the oval grouser covers on the rear engine deck corners and also fill in the notches on the rear bulkhead (where DML had you storing spare tracks for the 19 inch version).

Also I don't remember if DML used a correct HVSS idler mount. You might want to check on that too. (Formations makes a replacement)

Also, if using the Academy hull, their weld seams aren't good in reality. They are trenches (like the old Tamiya) when they should be proud of the seam and flowing.

Another one of your most entertaining build logs, and on a US subject as well! cool! I'm on. It's always good to see these old kits being updated. I built that kit about 10 years ago.

Cheers!
Stefan

Nice job, showing the differences so clearly.

Great work Marcos. 28 or 29 pieces for each of the new DML suspension units-I remember them well

Good work on the older Dragon too. I have one of them, maybe it'll find a place in the sun

Hello!

Nice work here Marcos. Thanks for the praises about the 3501 Sherman M4A3E8's Concrete Armor conversion.

Note that the said conversion fits perfectly on Tasca's Sherman M4A3E8. Recently we made a measurement for a costumer and the concrete armor fits well on the Tasca hull.

Best and keep up the great work!
Cadu Souza
Model Club Productions

I almost passed this bye, I'm glad I stopped to take a look as this is most interesting and helpful

Tom, thanks...
The old Dragon use only the Italeri´s lower hull. The upper hull have the two large doors with grills, over the Ford engine (not present, unfortunately...)



Thanks for looking and continue following ...

Sorry, Dan .. But I will not make a kit, cannibalizing the others ... I will build three, trying to correct the errors (without after-market...) and test the conversion kit on them. What better fit, will be "concrete" ...

What about the kit Tasca, the worms prevented me to wait ....

I'ma little desperate ....

All the best !!!

Roy, thanks for the corrections tips:



About HVSS idler mount, I'm avoiding using after-markets in this project, just use that one common modeler use to make a simple conversion with the kits that it could have on your shelf ...

Thanks again for the tips !!!

Stefan, thanks for following up ....

I guess I'm kind prehistoric ...

I love these old kits, which are at the bottom of the shelves ...
Waiting for a charitable mud to turn into beautiful replicas in our collections

Continue with us in these "digs "....

Thanks, Karl !!!!

More stuff comes around ....

Hello, Pat!!

Glad that my topic can bring life to your old Dragon ...
This is one of his goals ... resurrect the old ladies in this world of photo-etcheds, after-markets, with 1000 parts kits, etc ...

It's good to remember the old (and hard...) days!!

About the new Dragon´s suspension, I remember a phrase from the movie Amadeus:

"Too many notes ..."


All the best !!!

Thanks, Cadu...

Continue ligado na festa ....

abração

Thanks for stop and write, Jeremy...

I am happy that my project is helping in something ... stay tuned !!!!

regards

Three Sherman's at once you are brave Marcos
I know by what you have built in the past going to be a good build here.
Well I need to start my build for the Sherman campaign.
Did you not do a Mine Roller back awhile ago?
I think you added the missing parts.
Could you be so kind and point me to it.

Thanks
Jeff

Jeff, first of all, thanks...

Yes.... I built a M4A4 Crab (Legend) for some time ago ...




I wrote an article about it in my home page.

Is in Portuguese, please use the translator of Google Language Tools...

Here's the address:
http://www.tempodefolga.com.br/Sherman%20V%20Crab.htm

Be my guest....

Big hug !!!

Actually the Dragon 9010 hull looks to be from Italeri too - Italeri released their own M4A3 ages ago by cutting a new upper hull to fit on their M4A1 lower hull. (Dragon borrowed heavily from Italeri in the early days...) Italeri released it in several variations, most memorably with the T34 Calliope rocket launcher on top.

I buy and upgrade the old Italeri M4A3s occasionally because they are so cheap. The access hatch under the engine gets sanded off, and a new one made from plastic sheet. I guess that's a sign that I have too much time on my hands!

Looking forward to more photos!

Regards,

Tom

Thanks Marcos but the other one the Mine roller T1E3.

I hope it was you or, I am embarrassed.

UOPS !!!
:_|

Jeff... My fault....
Wrong post...

yes, I build the Mineroller T3E1;

That´s the beast:


...and ALL the pictures here:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Panzerserra/M4%20Mineroller%20T3E1/?start=all

Be my guest !!!



Big hug !!!

Thank you Marcos.
I will save it now so I will have for when ready.
Still a brave soul to do 3 Sherman's at a time.
Will keep an eye on these builds
Cheers
Jeff

PS of cause the women might help you also.

Ok, Jeff.

I remember this poor, poor girl, with her jeans
torn and old ...

Don´t forget to post pictures of your Mineroller, when you
build it ...

And, anything else, please write ....

Mi casa es su casa !!!!