OK, first Sherman since I had real teeth, and hair, and could wear a size 36.
Been using the Squadron Walk Around, and the tweak list at:
http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html Working link below!!!
So the time has come for all the Sherman experts to point out what's wrong, what needs correcting, and what needs improving......!!!
Take off the gloves, and I promise, I won't get upset......
Just remember that I really do prefer to make my own stuff, not buy and glue on aftermarket.
1. Here's what I did so far on the suspension:
I filled in the back of the idlers, I'm not concernded with the road wheels, since on a base you can barely see them, and any one who sees this will have to stand on the head, use a flashlight, and mirror to see underneath it. I added the grease fittings, and relief vales to the wheels, and missing bolts, and drill the holes on the front plate. I also added the bolt under the pillow blocks. Anything else needed????


2. Turret:
I added the cheek bulge. Used 2 part epoxy putty, and blended with regular putty after that dried. I used the measurements and diagram from Olive Drab. Does it look right, or close? More? Less?



3. Hull:
So far I filled in the rather large opening, using the template found at Olive Drab. Worked out rather easy, and no big deal.

I also thinned down the rear vent thing. (air intake??? not sure what the hell it is) Smaller details I'll add using plastic rod, etc.

I added or filled the sunken welds with .20 plastic rods, have not been textured yet. I also drilled out the various drain holes, found on the tweak list and photos.




So what do yous guys think so far?..... Suggestions.....??? remember no after market parts allowed or wanted.......
:-) :-) :-) And it's being worked on inbetween my campaign entires.

Looks great. Is that going to be a 75mm or a 105?

Outfreakinstanding Grump...I think your hitting all the marks on this one. bogies look great, the cheek armour looks spot on too. Nothing I can see so far needs to be fixed. your doing us shermanaholics proud Great stuff here.
Cheers,
Bryan
PS
Shermie that is definately a 75mm turret. There is no ventilator at the rear of the turret

Nice job, Dave!

I see you've been reading our Sherman stuff. In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "Git 'er done!"




it's called an exhaust deflector...

Hi Grumps,

Look good...I think you are doing something better than what I would have done considering that this is your first sherman after some decade ago :-) . Keep it up and please do updates us on the progress....

Cheers

Looks good so far,are you going to texture the vertical sides of the hull armor?
Are you adding wire handles on the engine grills? I can't tell from the photos.Also,dont forget the little tube on the front brush guards for the protective cap for the headlights.

(++) (++)

OK Grumpy. I can guess that it is a Tamiya kit but which one? How about the links to this tweek list thingie-me-bob you mention as this 'Roo' has his very first sherman coming up in the next few coming months and I want to get it right too. I will be using the Tamiya M4 early kit for mine.

yours looks good though and I hope mine will eventually as well.

Cheers
Cliff

Dave I think you are doing a great job, wish I could point something out for you. I just don't see anything wrong or that needs help you are following all the right corrections...

Paul

http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html
Might want to check this one out.

Ciao Dave,
Hey, it's looking great! Congrats!
Ciao for now
Rob

Hi Dave ...Looking good sir ..you are going to put us Shermaholics out of business if you keep this up ..I noticed you are changing the handles on the engine deck doors but don't forget to change the other two just behind the hatches as well. Also don't forget to add the square shaped supports for the engine hatches that you can see in the picture between the pick axe head and the shovel . You need to add a few bolts to the bogies and don’t for get to drill out the 4 holes on the front of each bogey....Nice job on the thickened armor on the turret ..Keep them pictures coming ..











all the best Rick

That looks good so far Dave, you could put the bolts holding the Transmission cover to the main hull sides should be 8 of them.

RV No problem, thanks, will need to look for a photo or drawing, as I have no idea where they would go.

Bear, thanks for the photos..... need to add the inner bolts, missed them, also didn't realize there was a shim like plate on the front open ones, will change that. Yep, replacing the handles with wire.

Cliff...... I got my Olive Drabs mixed up, hey at my age I'm lucky I don't get my meds mixed up....... LOL But Paul posted the right link with the tweak list I'm using, I'll edit this post after I finish posting this..... :-) :-) if that makes any sense..... well to me it does. :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Here's the working link:
http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html
Carl, I was actually going to do something a little different, and actually having the headlights removed, and the plugs installed. The big question is did they also remove and plug the siren/horn type thingy??? I know they tried to protect the headlights by removing them when going into combat, but did they really give a crap about the horn?
The tweak list says to texture the turret, but not the hull sides.

The kit I'm using is the 75mm one with the guy on the box top wearing the overcoat.... kit's in work locker so don't have the number at home.

Bob Thanks, now I know what the all mysterious exhaust deflector is..... :-) :-) :-)

Looks good Grumps, don't for get the periscope guards - thats gonna be fun with out PE! I think a jig and some low melt soldier are in order!!!

Can you make me a "check list" of all the stuff you are doing! I am always missing (messtin syndrome ya know) something Wow, excellent job! Send more pics as you progress.

Looks good Dave! Do not texture the hull sides! The hull sides on welded hull Shermans are very smooth.

These two links show examples of the hull sides:
M4A3(75D)
M4A3(76)HVSS

Chris "toadman" Hughes
Toadman's Tank Pictures

Keep bringing it in! It looks you've got yourself a shermie alright! Keep us posted!
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

Just a short up-date.... won't be no work done for a few days.... My days off... sherman at work. Hopefully I'll get a little done over the week end.

Dave you have a picture or at least a line drawing of the bolts holding the trans cover to the main hull sides in the Squadron walkaround for the Sherman its on page 14 the top line drawing the bolts are between the front suspension unit and the housing for the drive sprocket, they show only 4 i think their may be 6 or 8 not shore on the count, i hope this helps. I just checked your posted pictures again nice work on filling and putting in the spokes on the backs of the wheels.

Keep going dave but don't for get the 1/2 rivet for those nit pickin rivit counters :-) :-) :-) Looking great and am so glad you are dong this as per the old ways
ian

Dave, that's a problem we all have: lack of time or availability to modelling! We always compensate it after, don't we?
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

OK, been in a slump/dumps...... but did a little modelling last night at work..... haven't touched a model all week by the way.
Here's what I got done last night:

Nice! Really nice! Keep it coming Master Chief, keep it coming! I'm really liking it! Keep up the good work!
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

Slowly coming out of the dumps, and regaining interest in this again..... :-) :-) Did this stuff the last two nights....

[

Textured the turret, red stuff is thinned down putty, stippled over the epoxy.


Scratchbuilt the MG front barrel holder/thingy.... also scrachbuilt the hatch bumper, latches, and started the loader's hatch springs.

Awesome! As I have said : Keep them commimg! It can only be good stuff like this! Can't wait to see it finished!
Ceers and happy modelling!
Prato

Very nice work so far ...The only thing I can see that you have to add is the open periscopes on the hatches ...If you add the lower part of the periscopes you have to add the upper part..Unless you keep the hatches shut but then why would you have taken the time to add the inside details???


Rick