Hello there!
I have a question about the mentioned figure kit.
I'm trying to adapt the holder of the machine gun to a Tamiya M4 Sherman tank (early production).
I cannot find a 'natural' pose for him - firing the machine gun. He doesn't fit into the cupola, nor behind the turret...
I'm thinking of adding some equipment at the rear of the tank so he can 'lean' on something...
Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance!
Darek
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Dragon Close Combat U.S. Tank Crew Question
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 09:01 AM UTC
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 09:31 AM UTC
Hi Darek,
Did you mean "MiniArt" Close Combat U.S. Tank Crew? Got any pictures of your build?
--mike
Did you mean "MiniArt" Close Combat U.S. Tank Crew? Got any pictures of your build?
--mike
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 09:43 AM UTC
I'm sorry, I did mean MiniArt. My bad.
I guess there's no way to edit the title...
I guess there's no way to edit the title...
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 09:56 AM UTC
Got any pictures of the M4 Sherman and/or a dry mockup? One picture is worth 1,000 words; two pictures ... well, you get the idea. 
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 10:00 AM UTC
Yes, I was just making a mockup for a pic.
I've made an extra bag from Aves, but it's still too low...
Here you go, and thanks!
I've made an extra bag from Aves, but it's still too low...
Here you go, and thanks!
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 10:20 AM UTC
Ah, now I see. I think it'll work!
Suggestion
Bend one leg a little bit more (the left one, I think?); place that foot onto the deck and brace his ankle and calf against the box. This may require a little "Body English" work but it should give him another point of balance besides just pulling on the 50 Cal.
Also, make sure the stowage looks secure (believable).
Good luck,
--mike
Suggestion
Bend one leg a little bit more (the left one, I think?); place that foot onto the deck and brace his ankle and calf against the box. This may require a little "Body English" work but it should give him another point of balance besides just pulling on the 50 Cal.
Also, make sure the stowage looks secure (believable).
Good luck,
--mike
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 10:38 AM UTC
I have the same problem with that guy. His arms are too extended to fit in any tank hatch or gun ring (like on an M8). You could cut his arms at the elbows and flex them more, or use the arms from an old Tamiya figure set that also has a guy firing a .50 cal. The figure is pretty hopeless, but you can use his arms. Frankenfigure strikes again! 
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 10:39 AM UTC
Awesome!
I was thinking on bending the right leg, but your suggestion might work better!
Still working on the stowage and will add ropes to "secure" them. There's also more weathering to be done.
Thanks for the help Sir!
I was thinking on bending the right leg, but your suggestion might work better!
Still working on the stowage and will add ropes to "secure" them. There's also more weathering to be done.
Thanks for the help Sir!
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 10:42 AM UTC
Hey Biggles2!
Yeah, the problem is his freakin' long arms lol
There's no way I'm gonna attempt to cut his arms... affraid of ruining the figure - still kinda new to this hobby
Will work on the leg though... now where's my heat gun...
Yeah, the problem is his freakin' long arms lol
There's no way I'm gonna attempt to cut his arms... affraid of ruining the figure - still kinda new to this hobby
Will work on the leg though... now where's my heat gun...
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 10:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Awesome!
I was thinking on bending the right leg, but your suggestion might work better!
Bending the right leg might actually be better with a slightly bent toe. I'm a "righty" and I'm sitting in that position right now -- without the .50 though!
--mike
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 11:29 AM UTC
I think I'm gonna work on both legs 
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 11:37 AM UTC
Think about the torso and hip joint too -- a tiny bit of hip twist. Could be worse; he's not painted yet! In the end, I think the extra effort will be worth it. Keep us posted.
--mike
--mike
wedgetail53
Joined: October 02, 2008
KitMaker: 658 posts
Armorama: 629 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 11:56 AM UTC
Gents
I think you'll find your figure is based on a photo of a Sherman firing across a river (in France IIRC). If you can find the photo (which of course I can't at the moment) it should help. The man firing is definitely standing on the rear deck of the Sherman in question.
Regards
Rob
I think you'll find your figure is based on a photo of a Sherman firing across a river (in France IIRC). If you can find the photo (which of course I can't at the moment) it should help. The man firing is definitely standing on the rear deck of the Sherman in question.
Regards
Rob
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 01:16 PM UTC
Found these:
I think this was from 'Band of Brother's.'
This thread discusses the possibility but also the impracticality. Sounds like the turret mount was just a poor design in the first place.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090603042031AAC3Fwx
If you want my two cents (disclaimer: No Pro here.), MiniArt created the figure to look cool, so chop, chop, putty, putty ... cover fire! Go for it!
--mike
PS: Check your 'Inbox,' I sent a PM.
I think this was from 'Band of Brother's.'
This thread discusses the possibility but also the impracticality. Sounds like the turret mount was just a poor design in the first place.
https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090603042031AAC3Fwx
If you want my two cents (disclaimer: No Pro here.), MiniArt created the figure to look cool, so chop, chop, putty, putty ... cover fire! Go for it!
--mike
PS: Check your 'Inbox,' I sent a PM.
easyco69
Joined: November 03, 2012
KitMaker: 2,275 posts
Armorama: 2,233 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 02:23 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm sorry, I did mean MiniArt. My bad.
I guess there's no way to edit the title...
haha!! See !! I mentioned that they need a forum revamp because of the same reason!
Railspltr
Joined: March 19, 2010
KitMaker: 96 posts
Armorama: 62 posts
Posted: Sunday, June 08, 2014 - 11:49 PM UTC
Perhaps I am missing something? Why pose the figure leaning on anything? One fires the M2 .50 with the thumbs. You can grip the spade grips (wood back then, plastic now) and put your full weight with arms fully extended leaning back in a pose such as this figure portrays. Doesn't look that stable and probably not much for accuracy, but it is possible.
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 02:15 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Perhaps I am missing something? Why pose the figure leaning on anything? One fires the M2 .50 with the thumbs. You can grip the spade grips (wood back then, plastic now) and put your full weight with arms fully extended leaning back in a pose such as this figure portrays. Doesn't look that stable and probably not much for accuracy, but it is possible.
I agree! I have fired this weapon a lot and this pose makes perfect sense given the position of the mount on the turret. The swivel has a screw in it that dampens movement so you don't fly around the target area when that bad mother starts to chop!
This guy might be in the process of turning the gun to the side to lay onto another target. It is a well done figgie and I wouldn't alter it.
J
Biggles2
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 02:26 AM UTC
Maybe MiniArt could have given an alternate pair of arms that are flexed so that he can be used in different situations, like firing from within a turret hatch or MG ring. 
Vodnik
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
Armorama: 3,938 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 03:00 AM UTC
The figure is based on this image:
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 12:00 PM UTC
Well, I tried making a mockup based on that picture... I don't know... Now the arms seem too long 
Darkowski
Joined: April 13, 2012
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 18 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 12:05 PM UTC
Quoted Text
This guy might be in the process of turning the gun to the side to lay onto another target. It is a well done figgie and I wouldn't alter it.
J
You know, you may be right!
In the process of turning the gun towards its target. That may work!
iowabrit
Joined: November 06, 2007
KitMaker: 585 posts
Armorama: 557 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 12:19 PM UTC
Well, if you look carefully at that second photo he is actually half sitting on a stowage box or something attached to the back of the turret. That would require quite a bit of surgery to the left leg.
justsendit
Joined: February 24, 2014
KitMaker: 3,033 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Monday, June 09, 2014 - 12:26 PM UTC
Darek,
You could think this to death. I've gotta' admit though; I do like that second photo.
--mike
You could think this to death. I've gotta' admit though; I do like that second photo.
--mike
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