Hey guys,

Yesterday I Finnaly started working on my next project, the Sherman III "Balaclava"

Base kit is from Tasca, and I added the resicast lower wading stacks.

I'm still in the very beginning of this build, and painting won't be done before August, but I already wanted to share this.

All comments are welcome!

The tank I'm trying to depict:


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr

My humble effort:


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr

Thanks for looking!

Dave

Hi guys,

Some more in progress pics.

The superstructure should now be finished, and should resemble Balaclava. I'm deliberately saying should, because there might be any errors. If so, please let me know! Many eyes see more then two.

One question, do the wading stacks have the same color as the base?

Thanks for looking!

Dave


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr


photo by ddepickere, on Flickr

Hi Dave,

Lookin' good! What resin set did you use for the gun? I like the way the waterproofing canvas goes up the barrel.

Tom

Thanks Tom!

The gun mantlet is part of the resicast set.

Besides the lower wading sets it also includes two mantlets and a machine gun cover.

Although the set was made for the dragon Sherman's they fit fairly well on the tasca kit.

Dave

Dave,

I have subscribed and will follow. This is gonna be a sweet build and im really looking forward to see it finished with the proper wadeing goodies. Nice clean build so far Dave and the resin set looks high quality. Are you pleased with the set? Thanks for sharing your build.

Gary

Hi Dave, Good work, this is My unfinished sherman III Balaclava (Dragon)

Out of interest, you might like to know that 'Balaclava' is the Commanding Officers tank of 13th/18th Royal Hussars (QMO). Balaclava being a reference to the charge of the Light Brigade and October 25th being 'Balaclava Day' in the regiment.

Hi Dave,

Nice progress. Look forward to developments.

Al

Lookin' good so far, Dave!

Dave,
Looks really good so far, looking forward to watching your progress. Balaclava with those nice big Regimental numbers adorning the turret has always been an eye catching vehicle for me.

Cheers,
Rick

Any Updates to your project?? I am following intently as a new sherman enthusiast.

Euge

Nice thread bump Eugene...i was wondering if we would see this one again anytime soon. Whadya say Dave....update soon?

Gary

Looking very nice but one observation. It appears you have opened up a hole on the turret for the inbuilt mortar. If so it shouldn't be there on Balaclava as she has the earlier turret as confirmed by the external smoke mortars in the photo. I look forward to seeing this one finished.
Al

Hello Eugene, Gary, no updates yet.

I've been going through an aircraft phase the last few months.

Anyhow, I feel like going back to the armor side, unfortunately I'm currently suffering from an eye infection which keeps me from doing anything. As soon as my eye is normal again, you will see some updates.

Al, are you 100% sure about the mortar hole? I remember that I've been searching a lot whether to open the hole or not. The Tasca manual tells you to, but I couldn't see it clear on Balaclava. Then I read somewhere on ML that these British Sherman IIIs all had the hole even when they placed external mortar charges. They didn't use the inbuilt mortar, but it was there factory fit.

Anyway, I'm really interested to know - and to have the definite answer - when and when not to open the hole on Sherman kits.

Thanks!

Dave

There is a nice front view of Balaclava in a landing ship. You can find it on the IWM site

Al,

Looking at this:

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/turret_types/75mm_turrets.html
It seems you're right and I have some filling to do...

Dave

Dave

Speedy recovery my friend. We'll see back on it soon.

Euge

Finnaly an update!

The build is finished, I just need to add a lot of stowage, for which ill use some Legend stowage sets. I'm just wondering, would I first paint and decal her, and then add the stowage, or first add the stowage and then paint everything? Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks for looking!

Dave


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

Glad to see this one back.

Personally, I paint the tank whole, and then add stowage.

Thanks Jesse.

I hope to put on her green dress tonight.

Thanks for the tip, normally I work the same way, was just thinking due to all the stowage on Balaclava if the other way around wild be interesting...

Dave

Hello Dave,

Shes a sweet Shermie my man! Lookin forward to the green dress!

Gary

Thanks Gary!

here she is, base painted and some shadowing/highlights

Hope you like it.

Dave


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr


Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

I'm afraid I screwed up with the decals...

These are Archer dry transfers. Actually first time I used these. Not the best job ever. so ill have to start over.

Tips are always welcome, so I don't screw the second time. ;€

Dave

Untitled by ddepickere, on Flickr

Hey Dave, outstanding paint job buddy! Ive only use archer dry transfers once and the were small. Thats some awful lare transfers to apply, wish i had some advise for ya. I hope ya get it all sorted out Dave....good luck!

Gary

Hey Dave!!

Greetings from Afghanistan, I am still here but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. You know I have never done an armor kit yet,except the tamiya panther I started. and definaley new to Armor, but I saw one time at my Local IPMS meeting, that one of our tank guys used some dry transfers and said the same but he used that as a weathering tool and kinda used the imperfections and irregularities as a start point, I remeber it was a Tiger and the Numbers were not so good he said but he misted them alittle and then ran streaks down from the parts of the numbers where the colors didnt connect and it looked like a fast paint job than ran while in a rain storm and then the other side was broken up a little and he scratched and weatherd it to look like tree and bushes scrapes he even added some leaves and twigs by a little cannister next to the numbers, you couldnt tell, it was Awsome. You and others probably know this already being experienced armor builders. But thought I would add that from something I saw.

PS. When I get back and settled I still would love to do our Charmer/Comrade Build.

Euge