1/48 scale late-production Ram Badger conversion from Gaso.Line (France)for Tamiya Sherman. I used the "rubber band" steel chevron tracks from a HobbyBoss kit as late production Rams used this style of tracks until worn out and then they were usually replaced with three bar cleat tracks.

The conversion kit needs some modification as it is really an amalgam of early and mid-to-late production features, some of which have to be removed such as the side panniers, a feature of the Ram MkI. The side armoured exhaust covers are too prominent and need to be sanded down. The fire extinguishers have to be re-located to the rear. Most importantly, the engine air scoops have to be scratchbuilt. This was the most "fun" as I had to estimate their dimensions based on few photographs. Also, the vertical rear engine plate needs to have the hinges redone as M3 ones, not M4s. The strip metal brush guards for the lights on the forward right side and fender need to be scratchbuilt as well. I didn't bother with the guard for the left light as I decided it might interfere with the proper functioning of the flamethrower.

A few Tamiya parts such as the antennae bases and covered periscope guards were used as finishing touches. I gave it a CT number beginning with 16, but fudged the rest of the numbers so as to not to identify it as a specific vehicle. (example: one Ram Badger, according to www.ramtank.ca had a CT # 160133). Vehicle numbering beginning with 160 are very late production ones. Ram Badgers were converted from Ram kangaroos late in the war for use in the Rhineland campaign and the Netherlands.

I hope I used the right decals to mark this as a Lake Superior Regiment (Canadian 4th Armoured Division) vehicle. I placed it by a Shell station to denote the setting as Holland. the Shell gas pump is an O scale product, the name of the manufacturer I cannot recall, as are the scalloped lights. The building is from ProduitsMP (Quebec).

This conversion kit has enough interior detail that it can be used as a Kangaroo conversion. In fact, some of the early late model Rams that were converted did not have the air scoops, which makes it a simpler conversion.

(This is the second time I've posted these pics on this site, but the first time on this forum).

I really like your model but if I may, I find your red particles on the ground to be distracting. They don't look like anything found in nature that I'm aware of and also don't match your bricks either. Just a thought for you.

Ahh, the red rubble. My intent was to have the debris of shattered buildings-brick buildings on the opposite side of the street strewn about. However, if it is too distracting, I can fix it easily by overlaying the debris with dust and grey pigment powders to mute the colours.

Your rubble should be deeper against the building - it's too uniformly spread out.

I see what you mean. I have to decide if I want to shift the large pieces around or add moreof them closer to the building. Unfortunately, the diorama is in Toronto and I am in Northern Manitoba currently. It will have to wait awhile before the amendments can be made.