Hi guys,
here is my M4A3 Sherman that is getting close to finished now. I'm going to add some mud through thinned tamiya acrylics and MIG pigments after the stowage has all been added and the tracks fitted. Thought i'd share her with you guys in the meantime as I won't be able to work on her now till next week.

All comments welcome,

cheers,

James





P.S. If you didn't catch the WIP thread you can find it HERE

James,

Very nice. I like the subtle weathering so far. Looking forward to seeing the completed model.

Hi James,

This looks like a neat build you have there.

Like the big shoot here stars and the funky decal.

From what I can see in the pics looks pretty grand to me.

Cheers

Al

Nice job James. Looks like you're gonna give all the Sherman builders some competition.

Mike T

Fine looking beast you have there. Finish to this point looks very good to me, markings, etc., all well done. Sometimes I feel bad for noticing and then mentioning flaws in builds, etc., on this site and others, especially since my own builds are full of problems. I do it just so people can learn and apply it to the next. But after a quick glance I didn't notice anything that needs improvement. This is always the stage that scares me, when I'm afraid I'll do something dumb in the weathering process, or spill something on the kit, or whatever, to ruin it. Looking forward to seeing it done.

Rob

I really like the weathering/streaking effect on the hull sides and especially the decal just above NEW YORK. Did it come with the kit?

What tracks are you going with? Looks great!


Jeff

I PM'd James about something I saw but realized that it would probably be informative to other readers of this thread. I pointed out the sooty, exhaust stains that appear over the grate on the central engine deck. That grille was the cooling air intake -- so it wouldn't be stained.

Gday James
Great finishing effort!
You have a wonderful Sherman here, and the decals set it off terrifically...(?)
Good spot by Roy on the rear grilles.
Do you have a specific campaign in mind? Mud would surely factor from September '44 onwards... What I'm saying is that you may need clumps of mud which would require something solid in the mix... Maybe a little wood putty or plaster or even coffee granules would work... Although I'd be very selective as to where to place the bigger lumps, such as under the guards etc. Just a thought!
Cheers
Brad

Thanks for all the comments guys!
Glad you like the build, i'm really pleased with it so far, particularly because this is my first serious attempt at building allied armour (I can safely say it won't be my last!)

Jeff - Glad you like the decal, looks like its proving pretty popular (I wonder why?!) It came with the Tamiya M36(?) Dragon Wagon set along with the name new york and I combined it with the kit decals to add my own personal touch. Incedentally the tank is to represent a Sherman form the 69th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored division, i'm thinking feburary/March '45.
The air recognition star on the turret roof was cut from some old old 1/72 Mustang transfers.
As for tracks i'm currently going to go with the kit one's as i've been informed they work quite well and fit ok.
Streaking was done using humbrol and revell enamels and brushing them with thinners to create vertical streaks.

Roy - Once again, your superior sherman knowledge has shown me for the rank amateur that I am when it comes to this tank! Trust you to notice this as a member of the clean muzzle coalition! Fortunately the stowage will cover much of this area so it won't be too obvious. Perhaps I could say they had an engine fire on the tank in the past but have now repaired/replaced it but the soot marks live on? who knows! Thanks for spotting it anyway, one day I can empart my knowledge on another Sherman rookie!

Brad - Glad you like my work so far, you and Roy have helped shape this build into what you see so thanks!
I'm still going with the Pantherturm idea for the base so the tank will be in an urban setting and i'm thinking breaking through the seigfreid line. As it's not in a muddy setting I was going to make it more dusty with some dried mud in places. To do this I was furst going to spray a 90-10ish thinned mix of a suitable tamiya paint to gradually build up a muddy dusty layer on the lower part of the tank. Then sparingly add Mig dried mud pigment mixed with a bit of plaster and other bits to create the dried mud, before adding some Mig rubble dust and concrete dust applied directly over the top to simulate the recent dirt from the town/city.
Any thoughts?

Thanks again guys,

James

Sounds like you are quite the mudgician James!
Forgot about the Patherturm base... It WAS a while back...
Here's hoping it shapes up well
Cheers
Brad

lol , at least mud is pretty universal between axis and allied subjects!

James