If I did this correctly, you should be able to go to:
http://groups.msn.com/armorama/shoebox.msnw, hit the picture line and see the folder marked "Sherman Crab." If someone tells me how to do this correctly, I would be in your debt.
My Sherman Crab is now done and ready for painting. This is the M4A4 DML Kit 6035 with the Coree Crab Mark I (CE 3503) add on. Now, from everything I found and good old Hollowpoint provided, the replication is that of the Crab Mark II. She is also fitted with Jordi Rubio 75mm M3 barrel (TG-17) and the AFV Club T-49 Track (AF 35028). Additionally, I am preparing to mount the Collector Brass .50 CAL Machine Gun ( CB 16) and the Pioneer Tools (CB 43). Let me know if you can access.
thanks for any comments on the work.
DJ

Here's the link:

http://groups.msn.com/armorama/shermancrab.msnw


Is the gallery public? I don't have my login for the MSN Groups at work, so I'm not able to open the thumbnails.

BC--gracias, Amigo! The gallery is public and you should be able to view the four shots. Please let me know if you can access.
thanks again
DJ

I still get:

I'm going to try this and if it works I'll do the others.

Here are the others.








Looks pretty good to me. What are those round things are the rods from the rear view? Some kind of light system to warn others behind?

Rodger--- God love you! How did you do that? I have tried all afternoon to figure out how to place the photo in the forum e mail without success. Believe me, I read all the post concerning photo placement. I could use some advice. At any rate, the photo came through superbly. Many thanks
DJ

Open the page with the picture, highlight the entire address, and right click and choose copy. Then in your post, click on . Then highlight "http://put.url.here/image.file" and right click and choose paste.
That's about the best I can describe it.
HTH

Looks an excellent conversion. I can only imagine what all those chains will look like when they are painted up. Delightful model. Can wait for the paint to tie it all together.
One thing that might need adjustments is the first and last wheel on each side. As the boggies are workable, the wheels are both curled up because of the track fit.. You may need to glue them down... or are you planning to model it on rough terrain?

wow I like it I really do. An unusual vehicle that seems to be very well put togeather. Would like to see it finished.

Looks like a very well done start. Can't wait to see more.

Looks good so far DJ As far as the tracks go,did you get the type specifically made for the longer M4A4? AFV Club made a set for the regularShermans and the longer hulled M4A4 Also did you get the regular 75mm version or the Firefly? If I remeber correctly DML made the lower hull 6mm too long They corrected it on the Firefly version,but not the 75mm version That maybe the reason the firts and rear bogie wheel arm is cyrling up
Also how is the conversion to work with? #:-) (++)

M1Garand, the only "trick" I can tell you is you have to make sure you have the entire URL. When you go into the properties it lists the URL, but only part of it. You have to hold the mouse button down and drag it down the URL so you'll see the entire thing. I think the URL that first appears is maybe two lines, the entire URL is about four lines.

Try that and see if it works.

Friends--many thanks for your commentary. You are absolutely correct regarding the track. It is too short for the suspension system by a fraction of an inch. This caused the idler wheels to bow in. I plan on placing the vehicle in a diorama and cover that area in mud. As for the conversion itself. Typical. The Coree plans are horrible, but they are in color and they require detailed study before assembly. Hollowpoint (Bob) provided me drawing which were invaluable in figuring out what went where. You'll note that I placed pencil numbers on the various parts as part of my organizational effort. While I realize this modification served with US forces, I plan on painting her in British Army green with 79th Armored markings. The chains on the drum are individually placed on a rather thin retention piece. I found it expeditious to drill (55 holes as I recall) a small hole then place the retention triangle bottom protrusion in the hole with Crazy Glue, wait two days for everything to dry before placing the chains in place. You have to eye ball the chain length from the continuous chain provided. Mounting the fifty is questionable. When utilized the flail threw considerable amount of debrie in the air and the turret was traversed to the rear while the machinbe gun was dismounted. I know the elongated back deck markers are meant to provide a visible guide for follow-up vehicles, but I have not discovered what the wooden slates at the left and right rear are meant to be. If someone can enlighten me, I would appreciate it. My thanks to the fine folks who assisted me in getting the pictures posted.
thanks
Keep those comments flowing
DJ

Other than the track length, this looks like an awesome project.
Looking forward to the finished product.
Thanks for sharing,

Andrew

First let me say that it is an excellent build of one of my favorite vehicles of all time. I just love these vehicles of 79th Armoured... This is also the type of build which really would justify a complete article on the site... As this one of these "one of these days I want to build one of these vehicles" , a simple thread doesn't do it justice. The same is equally true of Cliff's (Mr.Roo) trucks and many other projects which appear on this site. This is one vehicle which really deserves to be seen in all its glory....Looking forward to seeing it finished although its looking so good at the moment........ Jim

DJ -- Glad you found the reference useful!

A couple comments. I'd leave the .50 cal. off and save it for another project. I don't think I ever saw an operational photo of a Crab with a .50 mounted.




OK -- the two rigs on top are marker lights. They worked kind of like modern cat's eye lights in that if you were following this vehicle through a minefield, the lights should look a certain way. => one over the other. Any other than that and you are off the beaten track. (DJ: take another look at those plans I sent -- the lower lights should extend back, not out to the sides.)

The two parallelogram-shaped boxes hanging on the sides near the rear end are chalk boxes. These boxes had an opeing on the lowest rear corner that was opened up so the Crab would lay two lines of chalk, which marked the right and left boundaries of the beaten path. This certainly sounds more reliable and permanent than following lights.

Also, on the tracks -- you should try to get a set of AFV Club tracks three-bar cleat tracks for the M4A4. These are some of the the best "rubber band" type tracks ever made. They come in two lengths -- make sure you get the set for the M4A4 and they should fit fine.

Bob--as always, your insightful comments are most helpful. With regard to the marker lights, what color goes in the circle? Is it a light or a reflective coating? I take it the chalk box is a wooden structure.
thanks
DJ
PS I will try to adjust those markers, but they are delicate!

They weren't meant to project light out as much as just being visible. Near as I can tell from photos is that they were white.




I'm not sure about that. Nothing in photos suggests to me that that they are wood, but they may have been. When I modeled my Crab, I was running on the assumption that they were made from sheet metal -- this would give them a greater capacity than a wooden box.




Pop 'em off, re-do them and put them back on. I scratched mine with styrene sheet and rod, and -- compared to the other structures on this beast -- they are fairly simple to make.

Good luck, and hang in there.