Hey, guys .... it's been a while since my last post so I thought I'd share my most recent project. The Dragon Sherman III kit is a true gem to build , even for those of us who admittedly are "Sherman-challenged"! This model will be be featured in an upcoming issue of Tamiya Model Magazine International. Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Mike Kirchoff

Very nice Mike. I've been wanting to build a Sherman for a while now, thanks for the inspiration.
Regards
Peter

I'm speechless. Great work, Mike. I hope mine looks 25% as good!

Simply beautiful!
I like the way it is painted and weathered: simple and realistic.
Did you use the kit's vynil tracks or aftermarket ones?
I'd like to build one of these, but what frightens me is the way the sandshields are made...

Thanks for the comments, fellas!

Giacomo, these are the kit-supplied DS100 vinyl tracks and they look awesome! I wish all Sherman kits had them! The sand shields are actually quite easy to install and are mentioned in the upcoming story in TMMI (insert unabashed plug here)! Seriously, I was a bit apprehensive about them, as well. But they aren't anything out of the reach of most modelers. Dragon did a good job designing them to be "friendly".

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike,

Looks excellent. Thanks for sharing and I'll kee an eye out for the article.

Cheers

Al

Mike, Did the tracks take paint well? Any special actions taken to paint them? Dan

I typically prime everything, so the tracks got a coat of Mr. Surfacer to help the Vallejo Model Color adhere. So I can't say how they would hold acrylics applied directly to their raw surface. I can assume they would take enamels or lacquers quite nicely, though.

Mike

Hi Mike,
A very "simple looking" finish, which to me is a very difficult thing to accomplish. Extremely nice paint/weathering job. I can see why your work will be featured. I'd go

Regards,
Joe

Damn nice looking Sherman Mike, still got to get me one of those, will have to keep my eye out for that issue.

Nice job Mike ,i'll look out for the article .Cheers Pat

Mike,

Looks great! Might have to get one of these!

Fantastic work! I'm about to buy the Sherman III. Can you let me know what colours I'll need, both for the camouflage and tracks, plus anything else (the interior for example). Also, how did you do such great weathering?

Richard,
Thanks for the kind words. I undercoated the Sherman III with Tamiya NATO Black - which is also a good match for SCC14 Blue Black. After masking the darker colour I shot the Light Mud using Vallejo Model Color 115 Khaki, tinted slightly with White. The tracks were left NATO Black, then the metal components were washed with Vallejo English Uniform and weathered with oils, pastels and pigments.

Good luck with your project!

Mike

Thanks Mike.

So the dark colour of the camo is black? - it doesn't look that dark in the photo

Richard,
Yes, the darker shade is straight NATO Black, which is essentially a charcoal black color. The Tamiya brand seems to be extremely close to the original Blue Black, so no blending or mixing of color is necessary. The subsequent weathering, in the form of light washes and pigments, effectively tones down the color to a more scale appearance.

Mike

The article in TMMI is terrific Mike. I have it on standby for when I get to this kit. How is Thunderbolt VII coming on?

Hey, Pat!
The article in TMMI turned out well, although Marcus Nicholls warned me the photos were printed a bit dark. I didn't think them unuseable, by any means!
The Sherman has been put on hold for the last few months. I have not been able to devote any appreciable time to the workbench due to work (closing out three major bridge projects nearly simultaneously) and family commitments. I actually hand-painted the "Thunderbolt VII" logos, but will take a hard look at the markings when I can. I have the Bison sheet ready, just in case!

Thanks,
Mike

Mike--everything you touch turns into gold! .. you have made me a believer in the power of pigments for bringing realism to my work..I greatly admire your articles and look forward to seeing the Tamiya article and what techniques you applied to your Sherman..

Mike,
Thanks a bunch for the nice comments, dude! I absolutely love weathering with pigments - MIG's especially! I've always shied away from the ever-popular "weathering by process" philosophy because in real life weathering is an ongoing and ever-changing effect. It's never the simple application of a defined series of colors. Pigments allow a modeler the flexibility to add layers of effects - each blending and corresponding with previous layers - to achieve the multitude of effects I strive for. The addition of oils (which I seem to be using less and less in lieu of liquified pigments) adds a whole other dimension to the model.

Thanks again,
Mike