Well this is my first ever WIP Post! I decided after posting photos of "Weenie One" and having some things pointed out that I'd forgotten to do that this time 'round I'll do a WIP first. At first this was going to be just a rrelaxing project. Then I ordered some nuts and bolts by Legends from Squadron to detail the bogies and the Eduard PE set. Then I got a deal on another Sherman on eBay so I decided to experiment with this one. Using the Eduard set as a guide I made some parts from foil (from a coffee can lid). I added right side turret cheek armor and faired in the shell ejection port. I got the light guards from a Dragon kit and they were on before I experimented with the foil for the guards like I did on "Weenie One' Here's the progress so far:

Lots of nice detail work there. Looks like it's well on its way.

The ONLY thing I noticed is that your spacing of the holes in the side skirt brackets is off. There were actually 3 pieces per side, not one as represented on the kit, and the holes were much closer together. I shave off that molded on strip then add my own strip out of styrene, then use the side skirts from the Italeri M4A1 as a guide as to where to drill the holes in the strips. I think the result is worth the bit of effort involved.

Seriously though, other than that little nitpick, the kit is looking great. Cheek bulge looks good, as does the shell port. All the little things you've added are spot on. Keep it up.

Rob

....I thought I could get away with it?......
........Who would memorise the bolt pattern for the sand skirt attachment strip?.....
............Of course ROB would
Thanks Rob, thanks a lot!.....
Cost me 15 minutes of work but I replaced it with strip styrene

Just kidding. Sometimes we need someone to keep up from being lazy

Mike

Mike,

Haha. We all get lazy. Me too.

Seriously, I can spot errors and flaws, but often I'm powerless to correct the myself. I've seen so many great looking models here, on TL, ML, etc., that after a while you know what to look for. Plus, over the years, I've built about 10-15 Shermans/variants of various manufacturers. I've dumped some on ebay, refurbished others, and have now done 4 the right way, mostly, plus am almost done with 3 more, plus have 16 more to build on the shelf!

So I've become pretty good with the Sherman. Ask me about Tiger or Panther wheels, etc., and then I'm in territory with everyone else.

I think you'll be pleased with the effect of the styrene strips, especially once it's painted.

Looking forward to seeing it move along....

Rob

Looks super sharp. VERY nice work with that cheek bulge and faired-in ejection port!

4 nitpicks: the PE loop on the rear of the turret bustle clamps the large, perforated portion of the MG barrel. Its diameter is a bit more than the loop you have there.



Fill the seam at the top of the transmission cover and the bolt strip. The bolt strip was part of the nose and not part of the hull.



(thiese two are from the SVSM gallery)

You might want to check the location of the lifting lugs on the turret sides -- they seem a bit too high.

The last one (and only a crazy Shermanaholic like me might notice) is that the spare links you have on the rear ar T54 links while the tank is sporting T48 rubber chevrons! LOL I'm sick!

Latest photos

Finished,