Hey Guys,
Here are a few quick pics of my DML M4A2 76 W. I had full intentions of building this right out of the box but the AMS in me is just too strong I guess :-) Overall its a great kit and the quality is top notch. I did however feel the need to fix a few things. I still have to add the sand shield attatchment strips and welds then its off to the paint shed. I am also trying a new backdrop for my inprogress pics. Your opinions are welcome.
Cheers,
Bryan

WOW, that tank is gonna look awesome! Too bad its russian Just kidding! Keep up the good work. I also wanted to ask you, how you get all the aftermarket peices, and why you get them?

Looking good Bryan, I like the foundry casting marks you added. Do you use numbers of the sprues?
It's people like you who I have to blame for my (fairly new) affliction of scratch building. You get a perfectly good kit... will build into a nice model... no one will know the difference... no...no...must...add...just....one ...bolt...oh hell
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/40677&page=1
See what you have done? :-) :-) :-)
It's what I like about this site and the people, you always find inspiration too go that little further and become a little bit better..

Cheers
Henk

Harrison, if I know Bryan,I would imagine that these are the Formations Models pioneer tools for the Sherman. (there's a link here )

Bryan, I have one of these on the way - now I'm toying with what to do with it. There is a strong temptation to build it OOB. Any pitfalls/tweaks you can suggest?

Looking superb (as usual ) ...Cheers, Jim

realy nice looking how did you do the turret texture with mr surfacer

Thanks for all the kind words guys Here are some answers to your q's.
Harrison,
The tools are from Formations and are bought directly from the manufacturer, The Pe is a mix of Eduard and Aber. The reason you use aftermarket parts is simply to raise the level of accuracy of the basic kit. As far as where I buy them I pick them up directly from the manufacturer or from the Hobby shop either online or localy,
Jim,
The only Major pit falls IMHO are the tools as they are simply just week and are the typical DML quality i.e, Poor. Thats pretty much it really.
Davy,
The cast surface is made by adding Tamiya xtra thin cement to Tamiya grey putty and stippling it on very thinly. I add about 3 layers and sand inbetween each one so it does not build up to thickly.
HTH
CHeers,
Bryan

Looking good so far Bryan. I just got one of these for mysellf and cracked the seal over the weekend

I see you used the correct drive sprocket. Is this the Tamiya one ? Did you have any fit problems putting the sprocket on the Dragon kit ?

I will be watching for your post. Guess I will have to start on mine

Cheers !!

Alpen


BTW: Your order went out today 01DEC04, as I know you will be using the T-49 tracks on this kit.....

Cheers Robert I appreciate the comments. The Drive sprocket is a Tamiya Item and you have to enlarget the mounting hole. I will have to check to see what size bit I used I will let you know. Thanks again for the order. I am planning on using the AFV tracks since the DML ones are about 3 links to large and much to my surprise could not be glued. So I am left the dml tracks as nice as they are they are useless for the standard body shermans. They would be good for a M4A4 though.
Cheers,
Bryan

Robert, But have you had any problems getting hold of the DML Sherman? The reason I'm asking, is that I have heard some horror stories over availability of this and (especially) the Academy M4a1...Cheeers, Jim

Jim, I got my first shipment of the Dragon M4A2(76) Red Army kit without a problem. Out of the 8 kits I received, I sold them all except 1, and that includes 1 kit for myself. However, when I went to re-order a new supply, I was informed by 2 of my suppliers that the kit was out of stock and/or on backorder.

As for the Academy Russian M4A2(76), I have ordered these, but I have yet to receive any. Again I'm told that they are out of stock or on backorder. As for the Academy USMC M4A2 kit, no word has been given, and all I'm told on this kit is that its a future release.

I will say this the Dragon M4A2(76) Red Army kit is an excellent kit, as you can see from Brian Gray's in-progress shots. I cant wait to start on my own

Cheers, Gents !

Alpen

Hey Byan ..Nice build you got going there ...It is hard not to add a little thing or two to a kit isn't it..lol I have one of these on order and can't wait to get my hands on it ..I too will built it oob ...Who am I trying to kid!! lol .. Excellent work as usual. Can't wait to see some paint on it.

Rick

Thanks Rick, I guess we both got a case of AMS running through us :-)
Cheers,
Bryan

Not really into Russian Shermans. Wish they would have done a US M4A2. However I may just pick one of these bad boys for the SEEING RED Campaign. That way I can settle two fixes, one for the Russian Campaign and the other for Shermies!!!

As always another Awsome Sherman Bryan!

Hey Bryan,

Looking good, as always!! Can you tell me how you did the small strips round the mantlet?
I've tried to scratch them several times, but the material I used was always too "springy" and tend to come loose before the glue cures....

Thanks in advance, and keep the piccies coming,
John.

Them casting numbers have me interested, do they come with the kit, or do you buy them some place else?

Kerry

Thanks once again guys
Ok, DW the dust cover attatchment bars are just standard 0.20 styrene rod. I bend them with the wooden handle of a paintbrush and then glue them on with liquied cement. Thats it.
Kerry , The casting marks are from Academy and from Aber PE. HTH
cheers,
Bryan

Bryan, the only thing I see is in pic #2, a slight, and I mean slight, gap between the right side fender and the transmission housing. very very, very minor and and easy fix. Looks great so far. Time for me to go sniff some glue now... (Not literally, but you know what I mean) "Q"

Hi Matt,
Thanks for the kind words. The Gap you spotted (you eagle eye you ) is quite normal for the front fendes. They are made from sheet metal so its not uncommon to see them in all sorts of postions.. Granted they are much heavier in construction than say a Pzkpw IV etc. Great eye though, thanks for pointing it out. Cheers,
Bryan