Hi,

This is the Sherman that I detailed for the Ardennes Offensive campaign. It is now ready for priming and painting.

Here's the right side:


Here's the left side:


Front:


Front Details


Turret Details


Back


I still haven't put the accessories such as the light at the top of the turret (in which I will scratchbuild a shade for it), the antenna and tools. I'll leave them off until I finish painting the wole thing.

I didn't use any PE (I have none). So, I have to scratchbuild everything that can possibly be done. Using a guide that shonen_red gave me a URL link to and a reference link given by theBear, I scratchbuilt what I can. No expensive aftermarket products. So, I'm sorry if I couldn't capture all the details.

1) Sand shields at the side made of aluminum
2) Grab handles made of wire
3) Turret detail made of wire
4) Back light guards made of wire
5) A pressure "bar" (I forgot what that is called. These are small rectangular bars at either side of the tank near the Engine grille) made of plastic styrene
6) Bolts at the Bogeys made of sprue
7) Bulge cheek made of wood putty
8) Cast iron texture made of diluted Tamiya Putty with lacquer thinner
9) Spoonsons made of aluminum
10) Thinned out and modified deflector
11) Placed a Dragon copula in place of Tamiya's
12) Placed a Dragon machine gun pintle in place of Tamiya
13) Drilled and installed a wire "hanger" at the left side of the turret where accessories such as backpacks will be placed.
14) Flushed the pistol port into the turret
15) Drilled small drainage holes at the center of the fuel cap splash guards. I'm going to buy small chains and attach these later.
16) Flushed the molded welding recess and applied welding beads with putty.
17) Cast iron texture for the front transmission plate.
17) I didn't thin the front light guards. It would be covered with a lot of sandbags, details, etc. anyway

The aluminum is from an old baking tray pan that I have. Finer aluminum from soda cans were used for finer details such as the light guards at the back. The tracks are already painted but I forgot to place them in the picture.

Minor things to do: drill out holes in the machine guns and clean up the machine gun in the turret with acetone. I accidentally washed them with diluted putty.

Here are four US Dragon troops that I want to add beside the model. I painted their faces with oil paints after a base color of acrylic paint. Can someone tell me what would be a nice color for thier uniforms?



Comments? Suggestions before I lay down the primer and paint these things?

Thank you.

Angela

I have to admit it, you're crazier than me :-) Nice work nice work indeed! I found out that the periscope guards a bit thick (or maybe it's just me)

Angela -

It just gets better and better with every new post you provide us with. You're an inspiration in terms of your dedication and attention to details. We tend to take for granted the ease with which we are able to get AM parts and find materials, etc. to do our dioramas. You humble us with your results. Just plain awesome work. Can't wait to see more results. I'd better get to work on my meager attempts or be left behind, eating dust (or more appropriately snow).

Blade48mrd

Angela ..you should be very proud of the job you've done on this kit ...No P/E and you've done more corrections than most of us do even with the aftermarket kits....Congradulations.

Rick

Hi Angela,
Your Sherman looks wonderful I really like how it is turning out, can't wait to see it finished.
In regards to the figure colours check your PM please.

That's a sharp looking Sherman with lots of extra super detailing.

Thank you for your comments guys. It would have been better and easier if there were PE parts.

However, I had fun (and admittedly, frustrations) in detailing this kit. I'm going to paint it this week and post pics of it again.

Thank your comments.

Angela

Well Angela your dedication to detail and many hours of effort are paying off for sure. Nice build with a lot of detail, better than used a PE set probably . I am looking forward for the painted and weathered version of the vehicle thats will just show superb i guess.

Costas

very nice changes and all look great . please check the link for US airborne painting;
SHQ

pdf files need Acrobat reader !

best regards

Wow that sure looks good! I like to see people invest so much time in models to give it so much detail!

Very nice, I sure want to see this one once it's finished!

Grt

It is excellent work Angela. you are a very gifted artist All the extra detail work is excellent work. i cant beleive how wonderfully you did detailing it. most of the detail guys here wont do that kinda stuff without the PE or resin kits for it. My hat is off to you once again Cheers Kevin

What Dragon figure set is that in the pic?

Angela, that looks great so far. Keep us up to date on your progress.