New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 07:26 AM UTC
Donald!
I'm amazed that your way of building armor is so similar to mine! Yours looks so good that I feel more confident that my work isn't too shabby, either!
Again, GREAT WORK!
New York, United States
Joined: May 02, 2013
KitMaker: 4,403 posts
Armorama: 4,078 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 07:33 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This is very nice. I have a quick question. In pic 81 of the hull hatches, they have a beveled edge. How common was this because if I remember right, Blast is the only people that ever added this feature to the hatches. I havent noticed it in many photos but that doesnt mean much...I miss lots already.
Jeff
Hi, Jeff!
I could swear that I've seen beveled and straight edges on different Sherman Hull AND Turret Hatches. It's not something that many people have paid much attention to. GOOD QUESTION!!! I'm sure that some of the REAL Shermaholics/Experts can come up with a straightforward answer for you. I'm only sure that I'm not sure!!!
The only thing that I can think of is,
Different-style Hatches being made at different Tank Foundries..?
Yes, no, maybe???
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 08:16 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This is very nice. I have a quick question. In pic 81 of the hull hatches, they have a beveled edge. How common was this because if I remember right, Blast is the only people that ever added this feature to the hatches. I havent noticed it in many photos but that doesnt mean much...I miss lots already.
Jeff
After checking the Son of Sherman Book I couldn't find out much about the Hull Hatches I think it's all in how they were made.
If they were cut from sheet armor plate they would have a more sharper edge, and if they were Cast or Forged they might have a more rounded edge. Here's a pic I found showing both next to each other.
Hope this helps.
Donald
Michigan, United States
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
Armorama: 3,947 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 05:56 AM UTC
You asked if there was any screen above where the exhaust are located. Normally the armored louvers are locked down in place. No one could access that underhang area
Roy Chow
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United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 07:04 AM UTC
Quoted Text
You asked if there was any screen above where the exhaust are located. Normally the armored louvers are locked down in place. No one could access that underhang area
Just what I thought I just wanted to be shure.
Donald
United States
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Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 07:06 AM UTC
Now for the structure of the Turret.
View of the inside front a lot of detail for an interior.
The outside front.
If you'r not using the canvas cover the pins go this way.
If you'r using the cover it don't matter.
Skip the lifting rings on the mantlet if using the cover for they will be in the way.
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 07:14 AM UTC
Front view with the canvas in place.
Some filling and sanding is required on the joints of the canvas
& the rear areas f the turret.
Next to add all the little detail parts.
Finished for today.
Donald
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Friday, July 26, 2019 - 08:11 AM UTC
Quoted Text
This is very nice. I have a quick question. In pic 81 of the hull hatches, they have a beveled edge. How common was this because if I remember right, Blast is the only people that ever added this feature to the hatches. I havent noticed it in many photos but that doesnt mean much...I miss lots already.
Jeff
The front edge, between the hinge and the handle, was rounded. The backside was square.
KL
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 02:09 AM UTC
The Cupola has a separate ring to hold the clear parts.
There's a small latch to hold the Hatch open, it was a lot of fun bending the Pe. there.
The Commanders Sight should have been on the Pe. sheet, this is from an old sheet from my spare parts box. the one in the kit is really bad.
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 02:18 AM UTC
The Cupola isn't glued down yet.
The Radio Antenna is from RB Models the 2 that come in the kit aren't too bad but this looks a lot better.
That's all for now.
Donald
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 01:32 PM UTC
What did the stock TC sight look like? That's one of those pieces that's in a lot of PE sets but just looks better to me in plastic. The real part was made from 5/8 x 1-1/4 bar so .005 brass doesn't cut it for me.
KL
United States
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2019 - 09:56 PM UTC
The part that I used is really heavy Pe. Brass,this is what the Kit part looks like.
No openings in it, just a L shaped piece of plastic.
Donald
Michigan, United States
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
Armorama: 3,947 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 12:56 AM UTC
Don, yesterday I followed your method of track assembly. Everything went well. Thanks for your tips and pictures
Roy Chow
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United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
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Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 01:04 AM UTC
[quote]Don, yesterday I followed your method of track assembly. Everything went well. Thanks for your tips and pictures [/quote
See, this is why I do this.
I like to help if I can, and not worry if someone worries about if a part looks better in plastic or Pe.
Regards.
Donald
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 02:51 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I like to help if I can, and not worry if someone worries about if a part looks better in plastic or Pe.
You shouldn't "worry", you should do whatever you like. I was just expressing my opinion on what
I like to do, and why I think that way. I am following this thread to see how the thing builds up, which is why I was interested in why
you thought the PE piece was better than the kit part and should have come on the kit's PE fret.
KL
Minnesota, United States
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 1,513 posts
Armorama: 1,449 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 04:08 AM UTC
Looking to meet other MN Armor modellers. I live in Buffalo.
British Columbia, Canada
Joined: January 27, 2017
KitMaker: 147 posts
Armorama: 147 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 04:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
What did the stock TC sight look like? That's one of those pieces that's in a lot of PE sets but just looks better to me in plastic. The real part was made from 5/8 x 1-1/4 bar so .005 brass doesn't cut it for me.
KL
where there multiple versions of the gunners periscope housing? that shot looks quite a bit taller then the kit part
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
Armorama: 2,377 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 04:51 AM UTC
Quoted Text
where there multiple versions of the gunners periscope housing? that shot looks quite a bit taller then the kit part
Yes, the originals were flush with the roof. The first armored housings had a sheet metal cover and later the armored cover seen in my picture.
EDIT - Ah, now I see what you were talking about. There were no "intermediate" height housings.
KL
Michigan, United States
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
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Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 05:02 AM UTC
Greg Sutton: I have the turret side by side with my Asuka turret -- I can tell you I see no difference in height of the gunner's periscope armored housing.
Roy Chow
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United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
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Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 05:19 AM UTC
Hey Guys, Here's The 50 Cal. from the kit.
It is really nice it even has the Butterfly Trigger unlike the Taska Gun.
You know, if I didn't know the name of the company making this kit, I would think it was from Taska.
The parts and their lay out are very Similar .
Regards.
Donald
Arizona, United States
Joined: October 14, 2011
KitMaker: 55 posts
Armorama: 41 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 09:52 AM UTC
Thanks Kurt,
As many photos as Ive looked at (not nearly as many as us though) I hadnt noticed many being rounded. Now im gonna have to pay more attention.
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: May 20, 2014
KitMaker: 197 posts
Armorama: 145 posts
Posted: Sunday, July 28, 2019 - 10:34 PM UTC
Awesome build log as always Donald ! The way you take photos and note your builds are great and an excellent reference for anyone wanting to do the same build. Keep up the great work mate.
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Monday, July 29, 2019 - 04:13 AM UTC
Today I present the Pioneer Tools. The ones in the kit are nice, but I like the ones from Formations better ( Not shure if they are still in business. I purchased about 20 of them years agoe Still using them.
Well here's a shot of the kit Sprue.
Here's the ones from Formations.
With the Formations tools being resin you have to separate them from the pour blocks. It's not too hard to do.
With the Kit parts you will need some belts with their hold down parts to make it look right.
Well on to more painting
Donald
barkingdigger
Associate Editor
#013
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: June 20, 2008
KitMaker: 3,981 posts
Armorama: 3,403 posts
Posted: Monday, July 29, 2019 - 08:38 AM UTC
Hi Ron,
Looking at the detailed back of the main gun mount, I'd say it is begging for a "field replacement" diorama, except you'd need the interior of the gun mount/recoil system, and of course something to fill the big empty void you'd see through the big hole in the turret face! Still, we're definitely seeing the bar getting raised yet again.
Oh, and the top of your 50cal barrel has a nasty seam to scrape - don't you just love macro photography?
"Glue, or Glue Not - there is no Dry-Fit" - Yoda (original script from Return of the Jedi...)
United States
Joined: October 14, 2012
KitMaker: 2,663 posts
Armorama: 2,649 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 30, 2019 - 05:36 AM UTC
I almost forgot the Turret Ring, another part pointing to an interior.
You still have to paint the edge as it can be seen with the Turret in place.
Now it's just the final assembly and touch up painting.
Regards.
Donald
