Hi,
Will this is my First post on here concerning armor.
I decided to have a go at a sherman tank OOB (Tamiya), so far i think its coming on nicely, I haven't started any real weathering yet, I'm in two minds to either add loads of dirt on the tracks,wheels or just to give it a light dusting with pastels any suggestions?
I admit i have been bitten by the bug, tanks are so much fun to build
Thanks for any comments. :-) :-)

that looks like you have done a nice job. I would blacken the inside end of the gun barrel though.

Okak, here's the good news: Your finish is excellent, decals look just about as good as they come, no silverng and blended into the nice subtle dusting. I don't see any seams, even along the barrel and on top of the .50, where many guys forget to clean up, or sprue attachement leftovers. The stowage, especially the wooden box is very nicely shaded and the "rope" tp tie it all down has a nice taughtness to it.
IMHO, weathering can be very easily overdone, hiding the really nice work you've done here, but that's my opinion and I know a lot of other guys love to see the mud boggers. #:-)
Suggestions, The bad news, if you will, I agree with Cliff, paint the inside of the barrel black, if nothing else, to give it depth. Paint the inside of the spotlight on the roof bright silver and add a drop of clear resin or clsoe it with MicroScale Krystal Klear. Consider adding a crewman to the hatch, it looks kind of empty in there. Double check your references...Is there a handle for thos two napsacks to be hanging from?
Overall, an ecxcellent piece of work . Kudos!

Great finish. I would be tempted to try to get the track to go a bit sharper around the drive sprocket and return idler. It still looks like a rubber band as opposed to a ton or so of steel.

She's looking good.

I will agree with everything said here especially the bit about a crewman and the tracks. You should try to glue those tracks down to the rear of the drive sprocket and to the tops of the track skids and return rollers because as Paul said it was very heavy and would never have floated above the running gear like that. When I built my Sherman with Tamiya tracks, I used tiny drops of 5 minute epoxy to hold my tracks down.

Add the following simple mods.
Drill some small holes near the bullet splash guard near the turret/fuel filler caps,and drill one on the guard for the filler caps.These allowed rain to drain away.
Great tools,can you add a towcable?
;ooking fine,just give it light weathering. (++) (++) (++) (++) (++) (++)

This looks well done---very solid build.

I would ask that you consider applying some dark pin washes around the hatches, and raised areas on the turret and hull to make those features "pop" a little more.

Love your storage, nice mix, and tied down, however the 3 ammo boxes and the gas can on the back end look like they could slip off when this beast is underway.

I concur with the other comments above. Good work!

Steve

Very good work sweatydogz......superb build. :-)

As to your query of whether to weather or not?...........I always ask myself these simple questions when deciding HOW to detail my model:

When is this vehicle deployed?
Where is it geographically?
Who is operating it?
How long has it been 'in theater'?

In other words sweaty, try to mentally place your model in a diorama environment. This will help you decide by process of elimination exactly how/whether to detail/weather you prize.

Regards,

Tread.

Very nice...good detailed and painted...
I think you have to to a little work of weathering....and do dity the tracks...because I think it's too clean, but this is only a my idea...
regards

What do you mean? There is NO SUCH THING as too many Shermans. This one looks good to me, except for the suggestions others have made. The one thing that really stands out to me is the packs hanging in mid air from the turret. Other than that it looks great.

I think that it looks great!

If I may add to the above, I would paint the inside of the turret black as well even before sticking a goober in the hatch. Some rust shades on the end connectors too.

Definately

Sweatydogz,great lookin sherman My only comment is that I think the rope is a little to thick Just my opinion For tying stuff down I use green sewing thread To me it's more scale thickness Also how did you get the decal film to blend in? I usually don't use Tamiya decals because their film is hard to blend in even over a glossy surface Other than that keep up the great work
Treadhead welcome back I haven't seen you post in awhile How ya doing?

Howdy 'Zod!!!!

Many thx for the 'shout out!' you old trucker you! I'm flattered you noticed my absence.......

aw shucks...

Tread.

Very nice job. I agree with what was said. You can improve the tracks and add some weathering and dirt . It will become a GREAT JOB

First I really want to thank everyone for their comments
I find the people on armorama to be so positive in their feedback.

I will take all the advice/comments on, and hopefully with a little scratch building bring my sherman up to a better standard. I hope you don't mind me showing it again when i have finished with the improvements.

All the best

Ricky.D

:-) :-) :-)