I recently acquired the Tamiya M51 and Legend stowage set and I just couldn't wait to get started on them.



With two young daughters my modeling time is somewhat limited so I'm really loving the shake and bake Tamiya kits these days.

Friday night after everyone was in bed and cracked the box, cut the parts from the sprue and cleaned them up. Assembly began during nap time on Saturday.

Lower Hull:


Suspension:


No more open Tamiya Sherman sponsons:


I was able to get pretty far by the end of Saturday's nap time:

The major parts for the turret:

A couple shots of the turret.
The Tamiya turret has a faint raised square to ensure each of the four dischargers are aligned properly. You'll need to ensure they are on straight if you intend to use the Legend ID panels as they form fit to the discharger bases.





The mantlet cover, which comes in four parts, needs a bit of putty work on the joints.

I drilled though the bags just under the flap (there is already a shallow depression there) and then cut out a section of the turret rail. Then just carefully slide them in place.

Looking great so far. I just finished the same kit with Legend stowage as well. It was a great kit to build, no problems at at all.

Wow, nice job David.
Agreed, I haven't encountered any problems with the Tamiya kit.

The Legend set has a tarp that it molded attached to the rear shelf. It simply replaces the Tamiya shelf.

The tarp overhangs the sides so as it is, it can't be used with the phone box and jerry can mounted in place.

I had to cut away a little bit of the Legend part to get everything to fit....second photo.

Still chugging along....
I'll be adding a Taska/Asuka (left) .50 cal in place of the Tamiya .50 (right).


The hull is now glued together. Before doing so I sprayed some of the harder to reach areas.

Herb-- great work. What color do you intend on painting her? Are you going to use figures with her?
thanks
DJ

Thanks for checking in.

Since getting a new airbrush has been far from one of my top priorities I've been using rattles cans. Testors SAC Bomber Tan is my default for IDF armor.

I'm toying with the idea of using the Bravo6 "looking better every beer" figures. They've got the perfect, exhausted, after the battle look I'm going for. I don't think they'll be too difficult to adapt to IDF tankers. I might also pick up the Sabinga Martin Israeli Tanker #1.

Herb-- if I can add my two cents on airbrushes, I am totally sold on the Iwata Eclipse....fantastic piece of equipment! I would also add that my use of Tamiya XF series paints and the brush have worked well. Ask the guys on the Paint Forum about airbrushes and you are sure to get a balanced view....Best of luck, I am closely following your work.
DJ