Well this is my second Sherman, I tried to correct things on this one from my first build, Taking the advise from you good modelers! You will notice that I forgot to weather the spare tracks on the rear(this will be done tomorrow) But please, I am open to advise on this build. All input realy helps, and I thank you for that.







Thanks and Cheers,

Garry

Ah yes,much better.The driver is gomnna have to pay for that grease gun,if it falls off as he drives.
I would move the spare roadwheels a little farhter away from the turret,it might snag and hang up.
The weathering is very good.

I'm nearing completion on mine and I was wondering if you plan to use the GI figures. I'm guessing no, by the scheme you chose and the clothing the figures are wearing. I can't tell, but it appears you left the "handles" Tamiya provided attached. They are the solid strips along the center of the engine vents on the rear deck, and the handles on the loader's, driver's, and assistant driver's hatches. I recommend replacing them with wire in the future. The pack on the front looks too shiny for the dust appearance. The .50 cal bolt charger (the piece sticking out on the right side) and the handles should be wood. The 2" mortar tube should be drilled out a bit to give it more than a "dint in the turret" appearance. In the future you may want to add a little more detail to the rear turret in respect to the .50 cal stowage. On the barrel stowage brackets (the two 45 degree pieces on the rear) there should be a piece looking a lot like the top of the bracket in front and to the left of the commander's cupola. There should also be a bracket for the cooling jacket cradle for the gun, but Tamiya left this out. It can be found on the more extensive PE sets. Tamiya had some very fine detailed parts in places and in others - well - plugh. For instance the .50 cal barrel holding bracket on the top mentioned above is finely molded (though a bit too thick), yet I have no clue as to where Tamiya got the idea to mold the horn the way they did! Also, the searchlight seems to be backwards. I believe the light should be on the right of the post and not the left. However, from photos I think it could be mounted either way. A drilled out drainage hole on the splash rings for the fuelcaps should round out things.

Now that the bad is done, the good. Though a shorter list than above, the items mentioned far outweigh the deficiencies (most of which were the manufactuers fault and not yours). The weathering: supurb. I can only hope to emulate the dusting effect on the sides. The helmet on the .50 cal stowage is an interesting touch. The ropes and knots are well done. I like that you put a star on the front and then covered it up with stuff; it gives a true since of realism with things appearing to be added over a duration. Also the star on part of the ammo ejection port is a very cool touch and, at least for me, wouldn't be an easy task to do without errors. My only recommendation for the next sherman in respect to the star would be to extensively fade and "paint" over it as they stood out as a "star" target for german gunners.

Excellent job

Can't really say I can see anything wrong. Tankcarl is right about the greasegun. The driver isn't going to be able the get to it with the hatch open if he planned on using it for a close combat weapon

Nice job!

Nice weathering. Great stowage !

Looks good, Garry!

Did you add the cheek bulge to the right side of the turret? Kinda looks like you might have, but I can't tell for sure. Doesn't matter -- only nuts like me look for stuff like that. I like the weathering a lot!

You've done it pretty nice mate! I love the exhaust, did you use screens for that? Also, the box looks really like.... a box!! Nice!

Thanks for the comments Carl! About the grease gun, realy the driver had to make a trip to the woods to water some flowers! He was in such a hurry that he left his trusty grease gun behind. A deadly mistake, hope he has his 45 on his side! LOL! it would have made more sents if I had left the hatch open for the gun to be there. But with no interior, I had to close them. I think I will sling it and have it hanging somwhere.

Cheers,

Garry

Howdy Ralph,
about the intake openings, no I did not use screen of any kind. I dry brushed the effect on. I first painted in the slots with flat black paint, then dry brushed OD paint over the bar tops, followed by steel, then the dust wash. A technique I use on all simler surfices. On ship models to! And thank you for your kind words!

Cheers

Garry

Still, it looks convincingly like a screen! Nice work!! Let me try that on my kit

nice build,paintwork and weathering.congrats Garry

Love the weathering and stowage, a really excellent job. First thing I thought when I saw the first picture was D**N! That looks real! Well done

hi garrybeebe very nice sherman.
i love the stowage,,,,
and the weathing.
but over all its great

You, a pain? LOL! Well I have to agree with you Bob, the 50 ammo box needs dirt! Thanks for the complements amigo.

Garry