Hi Guys,
This is my project for the Sherman campaign (one of our tanks is better than 10 of yours). It is the TWS M4 Composite hull.So far I have re-done all the welds with Plastic rod in various diameters from 0.10 to 0.20. I have also enhanced the cast texture on the Tamiya Final drive assembly. For stamped wheels I am using TMD's new Sherman Stamped wheels and idlers. A note on the Tmd wheels and Tamiya kits, They are a tad to fat and need to be narrowed from behind so that the bogie arms do not bow outward. All comments welcome
Cheers,
Bryan

Bryan-- the details if superb on the road wheels and the hull. I am going to follow this one closely. Great start.
DJ

Hi Bryan ..great start so far ..don't forget to remove the inboard filler caps on the tamiya engine deck.. Damn those wheels look nice!! Think I might jusrt have to pick up a set of these babies...

Rick

thanks for the encouragement so far guys its really appreciated. Rick the wheels really are nice and the resin is a dream to work with. Some of the wheels im afraid suffer from Stop sign syndrome and kinda look like Hexagons but a wee bit o sanding took care of it. The Inboard filler caps have been shaved off as well and the putty is drying Thanks again .
Cheers,
Bryan

Bryan
Looks great so far How well did the Tamiya M4 engine deck fit onto the TWS hull? Did you have to do any sanding on it to make it fit? Also,did your hull come in gray? Usually TWS is molded in tan (++)

I had to do a bit of sanding to get it to fit. But nothing to hard at all, it was about 1.5mm out. Since TMD bought Tank Workshop they have changed the resin to a grey product. I like it alot, it is very flexible so it wont snap and it carves and sands just great. I wish they would have cleaned up the masters a bit but you cant have it all. HTH
cheers,
Bryan

Looking really good Bryan. Love the textured look. I dont know a lot about shermans and follow these builds hoping to learn a bit more.I have two questions.
On the TMD wheels there are little bolts all around the inside rim and in the wheel itself that look white. Are these extras you added yourself from rod or punches, or is it just the photographs?
In the second picture, on the extra armor, there is a weld line going diagonally across it and both sides. What is this for? Doesn´t make any sense to my uninformed mind.
Cheers .. looking forward to more progress shots!

hi Bryan u are out doing your self on this one lol.
its looke great i like all the details u are adding,
i like teh weld seams and the texture on teh front hull

Hi Frank,
Thanks for the kind words. The Bolts on the wheels actually come with them, and I think they look great too. Now, the weld seam running through the right front applique armour is there becaus that is where the Composite front portion attatches to the welded rear. Behind each of the the welded on applique armour panels is the main gun ammo storage. Hope this answers your q's mate. thanks again.
cheers,
Bryan

Straight weld lines?!
How did you do it?!
Did you mask it or something and what kind of putty did you use?

Good job!

Max,
the weld lines were done with styrene rod. It was first super glued down (beacus the hull is resin) then the rod is melted with Tamiya extra thin cement then it is worked with an xacto blade. thats it
Cheers,
Bryan

A quick thought Bryan: the cast texture of the hull front seems too harsh (pehaps it's the lighting?)

Although not an M4 Composite, this M4A1 seems much smoother than what your photo seems to indicate:

I was thinking the same thing. Kinda rough for a U.S. casting -- looks like the sand mold was filled with pea gravel. Of course, maybe it will tone down with a bit of paint.

Overall, Bryan, this is a great job! I really like what you're doing with this!

Hi Guys,
Roy and Bob, I agree with both of your comments. But please bear in mind that the digi cam on Macro will enhance the cast effect because you are actually seeing it magnified. I think your right the lighting does create a bit of a stark contrast. The texture is actually quite smooth. thanks for the comments gents.
cheers,
Bryan