England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Monday, November 09, 2015 - 06:43 PM UTC
I have been building the M5A1 Late from AFV Club recently. Adding in the Verlinden interior (Tamiya fit so a little reworking) and some ValueGear stowage.... I "think" I have all the bits for the interior sorted. was going to paint the inside of the hatches white as per the instructions but all the images I have seen of them in service would imply "same as outside" so going to be OD when I do that. Must say, I like the verlinden set - a nice addition
PA060335 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
PA060340 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_4 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_1 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_2 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_3 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
the bag on the gun is to catch spent shell cases - made from tissue & white glue
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - 01:16 PM UTC
some of the interior... will have a bit of time tonight to work on weathering it, going to be subtle this time (if I can restrain myself)
m5a1_5 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - 05:35 PM UTC
Quoted Text
some of the interior... will have a bit of time tonight to work on weathering it, going to be subtle this time (if I can restrain myself)
m5a1_5 by Robert Worth, on Flickr
GREAT WORK!!!
You might want to invest in an Exterior PE set to really spruce up that M5A1- VOYAGER makes a really nice set. The Interiors of US tanks are a GLOSSY OFF-WHITE. I just add a few drops of OD to SEMI-GLOSS WHITE for my interiors. Then I shade with weathering powders, followed by a spray coat of CLEAR SEMI-GLOSS...
TIGER MODELS and FORMATIONS both make a GREAT selection of resin Updates for this kit- There are a Correction Turret, Turret Hatch Details, Turret Hatch Opening Correction, Road Wheels, Sprockets and Rear Idlers, Ammo Boxes, etc.
You can get all kinds of resin aftermarket stowage for your M5A1- VERLINDEN, BLACK DOG, etc. I also recommend RB Metal Barrels for your Main Gun, .30 Machine Guns, and .50 Machine Gun- Tremendous value for the money- RB used to make metal barrels for ABER; cheaper and just as accurate as any other metal barrel manufacturer...
Keep up the good work!!!
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2015 - 05:42 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
some of the interior... will have a bit of time tonight to work on weathering it, going to be subtle this time (if I can restrain myself)
m5a1_5 by Robert Worth, on Flickr
GREAT WORK!!!
You might want to invest in an Exterior PE set to really spruce up that M5A1- VOYAGER makes a really nice set. The Interiors of US tanks are a GLOSSY OFF-WHITE. I just add a few drops of OD to SEMI-GLOSS WHITE for my interiors. Then I shade with weathering powders, followed by a spray coat of CLEAR SEMI-GLOSS...
TIGER MODELS and FORMATIONS both make a GREAT selection of resin Updates for this kit- There are a Correction Turret, Turret Hatch Details, Turret Hatch Opening Correction, Road Wheels, Sprockets and Rear Idlers, Ammo Boxes, etc.
You can get all kinds of resin aftermarket stowage for your M5A1- VERLINDEN, BLACK DOG, etc. I also recommend RB Metal Barrels for your Main Gun, .30 Machine Guns, and .50 Machine Gun- Tremendous value for the money- RB used to make metal barrels for ABER; cheaper and just as accurate as any other metal barrel manufacturer...
Keep up the good work!!!
thanks for that and the gloss off-white tip... noted (read gloss elsewhere too so will have to work that out). I have stowage (went with ValueGear - actually a sherman engine deck piece that fits (just) and the PanzerArt sandbag armour. rest will be out of the box most likely
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - 01:24 PM UTC
interior weathering (sorry abut the photo quality) - need to touch up a couple of details but think the interior is now done (unless anyone spots anything glaringly obvious that I need to attend to)
m5a1_10 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_9 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_8 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_7 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_6 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 01:13 PM UTC
lots of progress last night.. interior done (struggled with the turret floor but its in (just) and now the seats & gun is in it isnt all that visible... the sand bags are just placed for now - think when I do come to fit them I am going to have to leave the lights & light guards off and fit them after (fiddly)
m5a1_11 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_12 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_13 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_14 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 04:14 PM UTC
Lookin' GOOD! Keep it up!!!
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 04:20 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Lookin' GOOD! Keep it up!!!
thanks Dennis....
Utah, United States
Joined: December 14, 2007
KitMaker: 3,389 posts
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Posted: Thursday, November 12, 2015 - 09:16 PM UTC
Looks very nice and a lot of that work should be visible with the hatches open. I kept hoping AFV Club would make their own interior for this kit when they added the M8, but they seem to have abandoned the series. Are you going to add figures?
Great nations do not fall because of external aggression; they first erode and decay inwardly, so that, like rotten fruit, they fall of themselves. The strength of a country is the sum total of the moral strength of the individuals in that country.
Ezr
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2015 - 03:22 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Looks very nice and a lot of that work should be visible with the hatches open. I kept hoping AFV Club would make their own interior for this kit when they added the M8, but they seem to have abandoned the series. Are you going to add figures?
Thanks. The vet linden doesn't need too much work to fir and a fair bit is visible.
As for figures. Yes and a 2nd vehicle (not sure what) and a base maybe...
Not sure which figures. Some possible vet linden ones to depict the crew at rest but also thought of some sort of orders grouping too.... suggestions more than welcome
Arizona, United States
Joined: October 20, 2015
KitMaker: 304 posts
Armorama: 293 posts
Posted: Friday, November 13, 2015 - 10:11 PM UTC
Nice looking interior, the model is coming along nicely.
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2015 - 12:14 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Nice looking interior, the model is coming along nicely.
thanks....
more progress (and again, sorry for the image quality). I have used a blank piece for the engine deck to allow the stowage (beautiful ValueGear casting) to fit neatly. The machine gun assembly nearly went the journey- did my head in at times.....
m5a1_16 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_15 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Monday, November 30, 2015 - 02:08 PM UTC
last update for 2015 - modelling is now on Christmas shutdown for space reasons (may try to take some better photos tho)....
progressing well, just the grousers (what ARE they?) really to complete - wheels are done and in a bag ready... hope to get this to paint early in the New Year (not totally sure about the trackon the back, have used the same configuration on a StuG and it looked OK, this time I am not sure)
m5a1_19 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_18 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
m5a1_17 by
Robert Worth, on Flickr
#417
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
Armorama: 2,539 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2015 - 01:53 AM UTC
Quoted Text
progressing well, just the grousers (what ARE they?)
Grousers are things added to the track to increase traction in crappy ground. They attach to the end connectors between two tracks facing outwards.
Track over the stowage - Well I've never seen it on Allied tanks and placing it on the stowage would be an additional "not great" idea.
The American tracks were (and still are) "Live", which means they will curl up towards the guide teeth if left unattended. So they could not sit as you have them.
Also a string of track like that would weigh a couple hundred pounds, crushing whatever you have under them and making accessing the stowage really difficult.
Another thing to watch out for with the premade sandbag sets is that the top of the bags MUST sit lower than the top of the roof plate as the drivers' periscopes must be able to see over them and they are right on that roof plate. Normally the bags stop a bit below the roof line to provide some downward vision in front of the vehicle.
HTH
Paul
Paul Roberts
Past Editor, Boresight
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2015 - 01:15 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
progressing well, just the grousers (what ARE they?)
Grousers are things added to the track to increase traction in crappy ground. They attach to the end connectors between two tracks facing outwards.
Track over the stowage - Well I've never seen it on Allied tanks and placing it on the stowage would be an additional "not great" idea.
The American tracks were (and still are) "Live", which means they will curl up towards the guide teeth if left unattended. So they could not sit as you have them.
Also a string of track like that would weigh a couple hundred pounds, crushing whatever you have under them and making accessing the stowage really difficult.
Another thing to watch out for with the premade sandbag sets is that the top of the bags MUST sit lower than the top of the roof plate as the drivers' periscopes must be able to see over them and they are right on that roof plate. Normally the bags stop a bit below the roof line to provide some downward vision in front of the vehicle.
HTH
Paul
thanks Paul - will scrap the tracks (and thanks for the grouser explanation - I had assumed they were something to do with the tracks but wasnt certain
and thanks for the comment on the sand bags. Will have to have a look - I think they are slightly lower than the top of the hull (wont put the shovel on the top which was another thought but may still go with camo netting draped over it (have photos for that one and wrapped round the turret)
United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2013
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Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2015 - 11:05 PM UTC
I'm a bit unsure about the amount of kit piled up on the deck - isn't there a vent under there? If so and you block it, you can expect to run into cooling issues with the engine if the troop sergeant doesn't spot it first. Stowage space was tight on small AFVs but experienced crews would never compromise combat efficiency by doing things that made the tank less effective as its better the be alive than comfortable. Inexperienced crews who tried would be brought into line by higher authorities within the unit.
I know there is often loads of stuff piled on M4 decks but the rear of those was just a solid plate so no issues with cooling, although being able to turn the turret was still desirable.
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, December 01, 2015 - 11:29 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I'm a bit unsure about the amount of kit piled up on the deck - isn't there a vent under there? If so and you block it, you can expect to run into cooling issues with the engine if the troop sergeant doesn't spot it first. Stowage space was tight on small AFVs but experienced crews would never compromise combat efficiency by doing things that made the tank less effective as its better the be alive than comfortable. Inexperienced crews who tried would be brought into line by higher authorities within the unit.
I know there is often loads of stuff piled on M4 decks but the rear of those was just a solid plate so no issues with cooling, although being able to turn the turret was still desirable.
there are 2 vents - 1 sloped at the front (completly clear) and a horizontal one at the back - partially covered... there are shots of M5A1 loaded "sort of" like this which is why I went for it... know the Sherman has a solid deck which made it easier but i like the way she looks (it gonna be painted by me so accuracy is never an option ;-)).. will scrap the tracks tho
#417
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, December 02, 2015 - 01:55 AM UTC
I've seen M5A1s with a lot of stowage, but the boxes you have, where you have them, will prevent the turret from turning more than 15deg or so. You might want to reconsider that exact pile of stowage and opt for something a little further back leaving room for the radiator air inlet and the turret to turn.
Remember, you've still got the stowage box t mound on the aft face of the engine deck and a lot of stowage was piled up on that puppy allowing the turret to turn.
There are pictures of my build at the end of my review here:
http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=1632&Type=FBJust a thought.
Paul
Paul Roberts
Past Editor, Boresight
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 02, 2015 - 01:43 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I've seen M5A1s with a lot of stowage, but the boxes you have, where you have them, will prevent the turret from turning more than 15deg or so. You might want to reconsider that exact pile of stowage and opt for something a little further back leaving room for the radiator air inlet and the turret to turn.
Remember, you've still got the stowage box t mound on the aft face of the engine deck and a lot of stowage was piled up on that puppy allowing the turret to turn.
There are pictures of my build at the end of my review here:
http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/Reviews/showReview.aspx?ID=1632&Type=FB
Just a thought.
Paul
cheers... "fish 'n' chips" as depicted in the painting guys doesnt have the rear mounted stowage box - I wanted to do that version to get the star on the turret roof...
will revisit the stowage (have a 2nd block and some individual pieces), there is a bit of room to move it further back but in test fit I wasnt having difficulty rotating the turret but that was most likely before I added the aerial mounting and the MG fairing....
really like your build, given me some ideas....
#417
Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2004
KitMaker: 3,123 posts
Armorama: 2,539 posts
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2015 - 01:34 AM UTC
Quoted Text
but in test fit I wasnt having difficulty rotating the turret but that was most likely before I added the aerial mounting and the MG fairing....
You'll likely be surprised at how much the extra width restricts the rotation.
Quoted Text
really like your build, given me some ideas....
Ta, much!
Paul
Paul Roberts
Past Editor, Boresight
Armor Modeling and Preservation Society
Puerto Rico
Joined: December 05, 2013
KitMaker: 314 posts
Armorama: 253 posts
Posted: Monday, December 07, 2015 - 09:52 PM UTC
Very promising work, I like the work done on the interior, really neat .
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
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Posted: Monday, February 15, 2016 - 02:32 PM UTC
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 15, 2016 - 03:18 PM UTC
VERY NICE!!!
Yeah, I was very disappointed when AFV CLUB just strung everybody along for a couple of years with their announcement of the M8 HMC, "Soon...", and then just let it float out into oblivion, never to be resurrected again. We could sure use a brand-new "state-of-the-art" M8. So far, my suggestions and pleas have fallen on deaf ears, with various manufacturers that I've contacted. I DO have the "The NEW TMD" M8 Conversion kit, and it's a beauty! It's just too bad that no one has bothered to do an entirely new plastic M8- That old TAMIYA THING need to be put out to pasture!
BTW, VERLINDEN makes a VERY NICE T8E1 (Turretless) Reconnaissance Vehicle Conversion Set, based on the M5A1. I did one of those- came out really nice!
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 15, 2016 - 03:22 PM UTC
Quoted Text
VERY NICE!!!
BTW, VERLINDEN makes a VERY NICE T8E1 (Turretless) Reconnaissance Vehicle Conversion Set, based on the M5A1. I did one of those- came out really nice!
cheers... do like the look of the recce version, will have to have a look at the Verlinden AM - may be get the Tamiya base kit as the hull etc
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 15, 2016 - 03:32 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
VERY NICE!!!
BTW, VERLINDEN makes a VERY NICE T8E1 (Turretless) Reconnaissance Vehicle Conversion Set, based on the M5A1. I did one of those- came out really nice!
cheers... do like the look of the recce version, will have to have a look at the Verlinden AM - may be get the Tamiya base kit as the hull etc
Don't get the TAMIYA M5A1- EVERYTHING is so wrong that you'll regret doing buying that old frog, just to save a few bucks! Please do yourself a favor and buy another AFV CLUB M5A1- early or Late, it doesn't matter, because you won't be using the Turret anyway. I have a couple of extra AFV CLUB M5A1s in my inventory, (no, I'm not a Hobby Shop
) $20.00USD + Shipping each, via PayPal, if you're interested...
You can find the AFV CLUB M5A1s on ebay, and the VERLINDEN T8E1 Conversion kits as well, if you want to go that route. If you have deep pockets, The NEW TMD M8 Conversion is VERY WELL WORTH THE MONEY, if you REEEEALLY want to build that puppy!
12745630_10153555422152979_5746511097544306605_n by Robert Worth, on Flickr
12744608_10153555422192979_8417267638357617557_n by Robert Worth, on Flickr
12744276_10153555422442979_4115027138527650932_n by Robert Worth, on Flickr
12729287_10153555422092979_7381514899659022214_n by Robert Worth, on Flickr
10527867_10153555422317979_4908461152839315845_n by Robert Worth, on Flickr
10380364_10153555422367979_2344128308671439577_n by Robert Worth, on Flickr
