Hi Guys-

I have been away awhile, moving halfway across the country and all, but I have been able to get some work done on my Jumbo Sherman.

This is the Tamiya kit with the Tank Workshop partial conversion. The turret, transmission cover, and bogey wheels are all Tank Workshop items, the rest is the Tamiya kit. The tracks are AFV Club T-48's with duckbill end connectors.

I have made some tweaks to the kit....
1. Boxed in the sponsons with plastic card.
2. Built periscope guards out of wire.
3. Added periscopes from Fine Molds.
4. Added the sand skirt attachment strips from plastic card.
5. Added Aber chains to the fuel filler cap armored covers.
6. Added the plug for the drain thingy on the front right of the turret - including retaining chain.
7. Added engine access door support stops from plastic card.
8. Wired the rear tail lights.
I think that is it..... lol

Anyway - this is the first kit I have done in a while that I didn't use a pre-manufactured etch set... pretty satisfying to try these modifications from scratch.

Sorry about the picture quality - I was forced to take indoor pictures due to the weather here in Iowa. I hope to get this thing done by the weekend and will take more pictures then.

The crew figures are about 50% done, and the tank still needs alot of detail painting to be done. The pioneer tools are about half done, and I will probably add a wash or two and some pastels. I just wanted some input so far... this is my first attempt at a whitewash finish. I thought it turned out half way decent for a first try.

As always comments and suggestions are more than welcome...

Later-
Jeff

That snow really looks like it's packed in there. Looks good. However wouldn't there be some snow hanging from the bottom of the sponsons as well since it would be throw up there when the wheels are turning?

Jeff ..Looking good ! Good to see some of the changes you did to this kit ..Sure makes a difference from the basic Tamiya kit doesn't it...I was just wondering why when you did all those changes ..why didn't you fix the molded on handles on the engine deck?(oops looked at the photo's again, I think they are changed ) One last little critique...If I were you I would have put my decals on the OD finish and worked around them with the white paint ..I don't think they bothered to restencil over the white wash. But this is just a little nit pick here ..I wish I had one in my collection.. Great job

Rick

Thank guys :-)

Bear.... lol, the reason I didn't fix the molded on handles on the rear deck, is that I had no idea what those two blobs were supposed to represent... hahaha Now that I know, I'll replace em with wire :-) As far as the markings go, I did in fact put em on the tank after the OD but before the whitewash. I just used a very thin coat of white, and they show through. I was attempting to get a really worn whitewash look... I agree though, in hindsight I would have had a heavier coat of white in some places. It was just really hard to guage the "whiteness", and I was afraid of getting it too "stark" white :-)

Thanks for the input guys...

Take care-
Jeff

Really? I guess it is the camera that makes them look as if they were put on after the white wash...Is that the new product "Snow Coat" that you used for the snow? Looks good how ever you did it !

Rick

Lord IOWA Dude

Da Jumbo is looking good. How did you apply, and what is your whitewash composed of please? The nose on pic looks especially effective as there are subtle differences in "white" showing across the entire hull front -- effective!

The figs are looking good also, especially the face on the driver.

Your markings are all stenciled Lord IOWA, or decaled?

Keep us posted.
Steve

ps: Is there a 50 cal on the Jumbo?

I like generally like it.

I think the slush on the suspension and lower hull would be more convincing if you built a base that put it in context -- perhaps a muddy, slushy, rutted tank trail with pristine snow to the sides.

Another damn sexy Sherman in progress!!! How did you work on the snow on the boggies and idler wheels? Very convincing!!

Jeff,
Loving it ,gotta agree though you might wanna make the white wash just a little bit more white.
So whats it like building OD? #:-)

JR,
(++) (++) (++) (++) (++) (++) (++) (++) Piggie build,I can think of 2 things to add.Measure the opening on the spotlight,and insert the appropriate LENS inside.Then add a tiny power wire from the back,to a round fixture on top of the turret,right near where the spotlight is mounted.
Do your tools have straps holding them?
Don't forget the obligatory lens though,The SS will be observing.

Hi Lord Jeff
Great looking Sherman.Tell me? are those AFV tracks single piece or indy link?
Pete

Hey Jeff ! How's it going buddy ?? Nice work on your M4A3E2 !! What are you using for that snow anyhow ? Is that the Hudson & Allen stuff or that new Snow Coat from MMP ?

I can't wait to see what you come up with on this diorama !!

Cheers !!!

Alpen

Thanks for the comments guys :-) I really appreciate the feedback!

The whitewash was done using the salt chipping technique. I painted the tank OD, then applied the markings - a combination of Archer transfers and kit decals. Then applied the salt and lightly sprayed the whitewash coat over this. Then rubbed off the salt with an old toothbrush. I would have liked to get the white a bit darker - but I learned something this time... hehehe

The snow on the tracks and running gear is Woodland Scenics "snow" mixed with gloss acrylic artist's medium - applied with my finger. I liked how it turned out.. pretty easy to do and it looks fairly good.

Pete- the AFV tracks are indy like types... I think they look pretty good - highly recommended.

Carl... ahhh the lens :-) I am working on it now.. I am going to try and scratch build one out of some clear plastic. You can bet I'll take some pictures once I get this baby done :-)

Hollowpoint - I agree that a base would add quite a bit to the atmosphere - so I am going to do a little scene to place the tank in. I'll maybe add a couple more figures as well... good idea!

Andy.. hehe OD was pretty fun... lol I still am itching to get cracking on a Panther.. hehe

Thanks again for all the comments and suggestions... I appreciate it very much!

Take care-
Jeff

Thanks for the info on the snow Jeff. Guess I need to get some of that Woodland Scenics stuff in stock huh ?

Cheers !!

Alpen

Gloves gloves gloves gloves gloves!! I would hate to be in a tank in an area with frozen snow on the running gear ie its very cold, and have to put my bare hand on the frozen steel of the tank! (:-) brr... so you might want to texture the hands a bit with mr surfacer type thing (never used it but it supposed to be A OK for cast hulls etc don't see why it wouldn't make good gloves) other than that i love your tank. Wow. Makes me want to white wash a tank. Another thing - what did you paint the figure's jackets with? a good colour! I can't find much to suit US figs so this would be appreciated! thanks