Hey Guy's
Here are some pics of my Russian M4A2 76 W. I am going to prime it next then start the pre shading. I used some Eduard Pe in place of the DML PE as I found it too thin and distorted too easily. Your thoughts are welcome as always.
Cheers,
Bryan

Wow! Lots of details. Can't wait to see it painted

WOW! you make me feel soooo bad... Your model looks better than all of mine, WITHOUT PAINT! I wish I knew where to start with all the aftermarket stuff, someday... just someday ill be as good as you. You have a talent, stick with this hobby your an ARTIST!

Lovely clean build, looking forward to seeing it painted.

If you're going all out for detail, then you need a muzzle for the co-ax and perhaps ...... a handle on the fuel tank filler cap, since you've opened up the armoured cover.

well super nice build so far and nice detail added . Waiting for the painted version

Costas

Bryan, I'm afraid I must insist that in the future, you build 2(two) kits of each type. One to paint and weather, and another to be left in this state. Truly, your unpainted builds are works of art, and put many other finished efforts to shame. A work such as this deserves to be displayed so as to encourage others to aspire to such a level. Though your final works are also amazing, it always seems a shame to me to cover such careful workmanship. Keep it up!

very nice job on that Sherman.

I do have some questions regarding your build:
what did you use on the turret for texturing?
why did you replace the drivie sprokets?
are these the AFV Club vinyl tracks?
is your 0.5 the verlinden one?

thanks, keep up the good job.

Thaks to everyone for the encouraging words. I really do appreciate them. Here are some answers toy your Q's.
Harrison, YOu will get there, I didnt get here overnight thats for sure.

Drader, Your right about the muzzle for the coax I probably would of painted it without even noticing I forgot it. Cheers mate, as to the filler cap I dont quite get your meaning. I did notice on the armoured cover I should of taken the center section out as this is for the retaining pin (at the end of the chain) to pass through in order to lock it down. Have you got a pic of the piece I am missing. Thanks In advance.

Robert,
Thanks for your very kind sentiments. I only wish I could build two of each model (if I could afford it) I would be in modeling Nirvana :-) This model will be in a future magazine article and I will let everyone know when and where as soon as I know the finer details.

Elad,
The texutre is done with tamiya grey putty and extra thin cement. I just mix the two into a soupy paste then daub it on with an old brush. Once dry I sand it down then repeat. I do this until I get the texture I desire. The cement really speeds up the drying time as well.
The Kit drive sprockets were replaced becase most of the M4A2 76 W's had the late flat spoke and not the open spoke that is provided in the kit. All of my reference points to this feature so I used an adapted Tamiya part.
The Tracks are actually kit tracks that I had to shorten by about 3 links each.
The .50 cal is the verlinden offering modified so I could close the feed cover. HTH
cheers,
Bryan

Looking good, Bryan. Nice to see the tracks on it

What are you using for the tow cable ? Looks like nylon twine ? Did you treat it at all to give it that stiff metal look ?

I have this same kit I'm about to begin. I agree with you on that "fancy smooth" drive sprocket. How easy is it to adapt the Tamiya sprocket ?

I ended up getting the MiG Productions 1/35th Russian Lend-Lease dry-transfer set for this kit. Looks like the markings are perfect for this Dragon M4A2(76) kit.

Cant wait to see some paint on yours

Cheers !!

Alpen

Been trying to find a picture of what I mean, but haven't managed to yet.

Okay, the actual filler cap (and not the armoured cover over it) on the Sherman had a simple curved wire handle (like on a paint tin) as the cap had to be turned to unlock it before it could be opened.

I think there might a photo in the Squadron/Signal Walkaround on Tank Destroyers. But my copy is at home.

Bryan, thanks for these pics - I have one on the way from HK at the moment, due in no small part to the work you have posted here. In the last day or two, I really have started to get some familiarity with the 'Emcha'. I'm going down the same path - at least with this one. It's going to be done as a Soviet vehicle as well. Curiously enough, I have been starting poring over Russian websites as my interest in the KV series has also been reawakened. Curious the paths that modelling take us ...Jim

Bryan,

Your Sherman is superb, what an inspiration. I really like your attention to detail and your willingness to share with us. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to see it emerge from the paint shop!

I'm not sure if you missed this also or if the instructions don't show it, or if it isn't there altogether, but you are missing the traveling bracket for the .50. It goes on that two piece triangle on the top of the turret sort of between the flood light, periscope, and two hatches. The piece, if included, should look like the one in the picture below. I don't think all Shermans had them, so I yours doesn't, sanding off the protrusion might be a good thing.



Otherwise, great build. The PE is attached so cleanly. Not a hint of CA smears.

Jeff

Hey Bryan ...Awesome as usual..I was going to give you some greif about the armored filler cap cover but I see you already know about the middle section that needs to be cut off and reglued to the hull with a nice little hole drilled through it ...You know you're gonna did it ...lol .
The lifting U in picture 8 looks like it could us a bit of putty where it connect to the hull...(nit pick)
And finally this is a question not a comment on your build ...The long rectangular shaped and the smaller squares on both sides of the transmission cover ...are they supposed to be part of the fenders or something just welded to the tranny cover...I've never seen that before on a cover..While I'm asking is that a late sharp nosed tranny cover and if so shouldn't there be the doubled up towing shackles as seen on later M4A3s..Just asking ..not judging here..
Keep up the good work buddy can't wait to see it finished...Hmm I smell an Alpine crew for this one ..

all the best
Rick

thanks again gents
Doc,
I havent decided if I was going to use the travel lock for the .50 yet but either way . My refs on Russian M4A2's dont clearly show this detail so I was debating whether to add it or not. II do have the Pe one built up though and waiting if I do decide to add it. Good Eye mate.
Rick,
Just when I thought I made it you come along LOL :-) :-) Seriously though your right the lifting hook does look a bit off and the strips on the Final drive are supposed to be part of the fenders. I haved added styrene strip since the pics were taken to make it more obvious and to close the gap. Thats the great thing about pics you see things you dont really notice with the naked eye. Yep its a late steep angle F/D housing and Ithe dark shadow acutaly has obscured the second towing lugt. I have also added the PE bar over the second towing lug as seen on most late M4A2's and A3's. You've got the eagle eye buddy. Thanks for the kind words and the Help I appreicate it..really.
Cheers,
Bryan

Great stuff again Bryan. Cant help much on details ... unlike some of the great points above ... but Im definatly impressed with your building skills. The texture tip is great and looks the part on the turret. The casting numbers is another nice detail which will stand out nicely after painting.
Congrats on getting featured in a magazine ... is this the first time? If this turns out anything like your last sherman .... we´ll have another stunner! Cant wait for the paint work. What about figures?

Well Bryan ..you know I had to put my 2 Canadian cents in now..lol ..I have to agree that pictures taken with a digital camera really shows off the mistakes ... Better to see them now than after the paint is on..
Edit: Hey Bryan I just noticed the bracket that holds the MG barrel in place when it is stored on the back of the turret ..Isn't that usually welded the the back of the turret and not on the L shaped bracket. I thought that those L shaped brackets were for spare barrels.. Again your info might be right ...I'm just curious...Inquiring minds want to know!
Rick

Hi Rick,
That bracket does attatch to the angle ireon bracket If you have Hunnicut on page 272 and 273 you can see it on the L bracket. It actually is designed to hold cooling jacket of the .50 when it is stored in the storage pintle. there are two clips on the L brackets that hold the barrel. The barrel was always (read shold be) removed from the gun and storred seperately. thanks again egle eye.
Cheers,
Bryan

Well take off my tuque and slap me silly !! Yep you are right ...I never noticed that before ..The only thing I might say is the kit part is a bit too big ...If you look at the picture on page 300 ..it looks like it has been shortened ,but you are right ..At least I'll go to bed a bit smarter than when I woke up this morning..
Now I got another one for ya!! Shouldn't there be the head light plugs welded to the light guards?Or were these not present on Russian shermies?:)

Rick

Woohoo! If you read my other post you'll see I just received my Hunnicutt Sherman book. Now I can actually look at page 272 and 273 and 300!!!

dude I gotta draw the line somewhere but To be honest I thought about them and then promptly forgot about them. As far as I know they were standard on ALL sherman variants.
Cheers,
Bryan

Well it is an awesome build with or with out them Bryan...Now I want to see some Paint!
Yes Alan it is a great book to have ..My copy is really beaten up but wouldn't part with it for any amount of money..You got yours for a steal...Just don't let it out of your sight.

Rick
p.s You do know I'm only teasing you Bryan...super build you got there bud!