Hi, all...posted a query on ML a while ago regarding figures of the female persuasion in 1/35th for a model/dio idea, and thought I'd clue you all in too and ask some questions. The idea in broad form is to model a vehicle literally rolling off the production line with a Rosie the Riveter crew driving it to the vehicle park. So, I've been given a few ideas about where to find figures I might transform into lady factory workers (gonna get expensive...) and the AFV will be some member of the Sherman family. Tank or TD I haven't yet decided. Now, photos of vehicles right off the end of the line are not too common but they show the vehicles relatively shiny with brand new paint--I'm thinking a ssemi-gloss overall finish? But what about tracks...I presume the rubber pads (if any depending on track type) should be pretty black and shiny too. And the end links, or the whole thing if a steel track--talk to me about that. Does an overall steel sound appropriate? I doubt that they would be rusty in the factory, but I don't thing that they were painted, either. For an all-steel track, how about steel with some light silver drybrushing where the treads meet the gound? I should think that even driving off the production line to a place in the back lot would shine them up some. And while I am at it, should I assume that basic vehicle tools would be stowed in the approved places before it leaves the line, or was that stuff added at the ordnance depot when the vehicle was assigned to a unit? Shower me with your accumulated wisdom...
Greg

This article at AFV Interiors

US M4 Sherman Factory Photos

can give you some ideas. Hope it helps.

Thanks, Jose, I've seen that page--good stuff! I guess I'm not sure about colors here, from looking at old B&W pictures. It can be really tough to discern sometimes. Even shiny metal can be several kinds of silver/grey with different degrees of sheen. I mean, in a sense it is easier to do a weathered vehicle since the evidence is much more readily available. I can go to my local armory and see the M60A3 on the lawn to get a good idea of how tracks rust. But there's no tank factory near my house to see a brand-new one.
Greg

Greg--I would attack the track painting by doing in flat black and then lightly highlighting it in a silver rub on tone. Of course the end conectors rust over time. However, factory fresh track is flat black from end connector to end connector. The silver highlighting would indicate that the track has started to wear. Hope this assist your efforts.
DJ

Hey.....I dinna see no women in those photos!

Jim

All black from end to end, with silfer highlights....Thanks, DJ! Your suggestion sounds like a winner.

Jim, you're right...not a lot of women in published photos. But the whole genesis of the idea was to do a couple of different things at once. First, build a factory fresh vehicle so I can be really lazy and not weather it beyond a very light wash and drybrushed highlights to emphasize shadows and reflections. Second, make a little commentary on the contributions of women to the home front war effort in factories. Lots of pictures of women in aircraft plants and shipyards; tank production strikes me as between the two in diffuculty so I have to presume some were there. And I think it would make a really interesting model; nobody is used to seeing women operating tanks (outside the old Soviet Union).
I'm thinking something like Academy's upcoming M36, with three our four ladies aboard and a little something painted on the side like "1,000th M-36 from Fisher!" or such like.
Greg

Greg--given you thoughts, you might want to review that Shep Paine book on dioramas. I speak specifically of the production line he duplicated showing an assembled B-26 and mirrors as I recall. Really effective technique. I do not believe (cobwebs in the brain) he used any figures. There are several Verlinden photos that concern the repair of a U-Boot and a tank repair depot. I only broach this line of thought to you as a way of getting construction ideas (lifts, cranes, pullieys, etc.). Ambitious undertaking, wish you well.
DJ

Got that book, DJ, and that is what got me to thinking about the topic. So many ideas, so little time, so mediocre a skill set...
Greg

Brother I know how you feel
DJ

Me too. I will never complete my kits because they don't look like those we see in here.

speaking of fresh off the assembly line,vehicles left the factory in blue lettering .it wasnt till they were delivered to the military that it was changed over to white.
this may not be true for all factories but some did.
i have seen pictures of jeeps and trucks with the powder blue lettering.

Scott-never heard of that one before. Where did you find that information?
thanks
DJ

Hey Greg,
If you're still ln need of females for your "Rosie the riveter" diorama, Preiser, the model railroad company may still have available "Eve" which is in 1/32nd scale but is VERY close to 1/35th. If you can PM me with your e-mail address I can send you the box images which I've just scanned. These figures are truly multi-pose, nude and absolutley fabulous!
A little pricey but worth EVERY PENNY!!! ( turns out to 7 figures for around $28.00 US)
Chuck

i got the info from a guy i know that is a military vehicle collector.and he has an m38 jeep in his collection that has the blue letting.I asked him why the blue letting and that is what he told me.

one of these days i will go get a picture of the jeep with the blue letting and post it.