Hi Guys, it's been awhile since I posted on here or had any updates on some of my posted builds, but for the last few months now I have been working on this 1/6th scale Dragon M4A3 kit. The model itself was built for commission and will be going to a private collector.






The model started off as a Dragon 1/6th scale M4A3(105) kit, The tank was built as a 75mm M4A3 as per the request of the customer.



The model received tons of mods and new upgraded details. Basically outside of the upper / lower hull, turret, gun / mantlet none of the kit components were used. In their place I used the resin and metal components that I have and use on my 1/6 scale sherman builds (VVSS suspension, track racks, storage rack, hull fittings...etc).































several of the molded in parts were cutaway and were replaced, some parts are carry overs for the 1/35 kits and are not needed for the A3, but were not instructed to be removed







One part in particular that was molded in that I replaced was the rear grill work, The molded in kit ones were removed and I had 3d Printed replacements crafted in their place













Some of the kit parts were salvaged like the rear exhaust deflector grill, but was modded as the OOB version was too large, Once modded I was also able to make it fold under the tank like the real unit, To do this I also had to mod the rear area of the hull as the DML version was inaccurate











Other components were retooled to have better interior and exterior detailing, This would include the bow and turret hatches















Another part in particular that I replaced as the kit one was terminal was the commander copula, The kit one is under detailed, but is also underscaled. I fabricated a new one and replaced it









Other mods include adding a spring to the gun elevation system, as the kit one was terribly frail and weak, and adding cast texture to all aprpriate components / sections.







The tank was painted / weathered , and has all painted on markings. Once done I added new track and new tools with straps



















To complete the tank I added a white metal M2HB and M23 cradle to the pintle mount.







Like with my other builds I made update videos of this tank, and posted them on youtube,

http://youtu.be/DstXSSCCC18

http://youtu.be/PNzGjXTBuFY

http://youtu.be/kzQ_bQfJV7A

http://youtu.be/c36joNlkTC8

http://youtu.be/eg7B0Bfi480

http://youtu.be/6gOURCirgJ4

http://youtu.be/CqhW3u8voZ8

http://youtu.be/-8uXU5gIhdg

http://youtu.be/tnDLRdVbTEg

In addition to the videos Many more pics were posted on the ECA facebook page,

http://www.facebook.com/EastCoastArmory

Now that this build is out of the way I'm now focusing on another commission build in the same scale... only this one is an RC armortek Tiger I

very very cool build great work.

Looks amazing john.

Outstanding work.

Superb work, John. You did an A-1 job on all the mods.

Great work, how much does it weigh?

Erik

Thanks guys, being static the model is not as heavy as it's metal RC counterparts, the tank all in all weighed in at around 20 - 30 pounds.

If the stock suspension and track was used the tank would have weighed a little less

Amazing, as always!