Hi guys,

After looking at the other version for about 24 hours I realised it was a disaster so went back and re-worked the paint job which I messed up.

Hope this is a bit better.





















Cheers

Al

Yup, I think that looks much better Alan. Much Cleaner as I think a desert tank would be.

Hi Pat,

Thanks for the feedback. Thought you might prefer this one. Live and learn.

Cheers

Al

I liked both versions but I'm not too experienced on how a desert British Shermie should look like. I would like to know how the color was created and did the stowage hanging from the lower hull come with the kit? Those look realistic with the sand looking like it was forced into the staps!

Nice work there.


Jeff

Hi Jeff thanks for taking the time to reply.

There are lots of different options for painting schemes with British Desert Tanks and Codename Swallow by Dennis Oliver is a good reference for the Shermans..

The Pink I made form XF2 matt white and XF 7 Signal Red , and some XF 59 Desert Yellow and mixed it up until I got a pinki colour (mine was very bright lol) That was applied over a base coat of buff and then toned down with washes of desert yellow and Vallejo Burn Umber abd Dark Sand. I just kept at it until I got it mellow enough.

There's a good example in the Osprey M4 Mdelling Manual and that's where I first got the idea., but my first paint scheme went wrong and I ended up with one more like the example in the book, which is wat I was originally trying to avoid!!!!

The kit is a mix of stuff, Dragon M4A1 lower hull and early gun mantle and Formations DV upper hull with a Tamiya Turret and Side Skirts. The early M3 suspension came from the Tamity Grant and tracks were from AFV.

The stowage came from Resicast as it looked the right shape and the straps were made from rolled lead wire, the basket from leftover bits of the Bedford. A couple of pieces came from the Tamiya stowage set for the trucks and a bit from Italeri. I think the cable is from Accurate Armour.

Crew were Warrior figures for the Stuart.

I have to say that despite the change in paint scheme late in the day, I rather like it.

Have fun it's an interesting build.

Cheers

Al

Hi Al,

How's it going ? It seems to me you got that desert pink down perfectly , Nice job, the commander figures pose looks good also

Keep well,

Jerry

great looking model. what did you use for straps for the stowage? I am working on a m4a1 early myself, yanks version.

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for looking, got there in the end lol, lol.

Robert,

I use lead wire for my straps. It comes in all sizes and I just role a length of whatever width I want flat with a wallpaper roller.

The McNeilly Manouver - lol, lol - you get consistent lengths at whatever width you want and it's cheap.



enjoy the build and watch out for the instructions which show the placement of the rear axles for the idler wheels incorrectly. The three bolts should face down not up as the instructions show.

Cheers

Al

Al--fantastic paint job. I am mixing a batch and will let you know results. Well done as always.
DJ

Hi DJ,

Many thanks, glad you like it.

In the Osprey M4 Modelling Mnaual it gives the mix as 70% pink and 30% desert yellow. A bit more scientific than mine .

Don't let the colour put you off. Mine was very PINK when I started.

Cheers

Al

Nice job. Tamiya Grant suspension! It came out very well. I have a resin set, and a Grant in the stash just for the suspension.

Hi Randall,

It was cheaper to buy the Grant and get the bins, early lights, suspension and a figure than buy a resin set.

I must be part Scottish!!!!!

Cheers

Al

Hi Guys,

took a couple of more pics for my gallery without the string and bushes









Cheers

Al

Too true on the Grant. I got mine at a discount table for about 10 bucks. Using the lead wire flattened down is a great tip. I had a big sheet of sheet lead sent to me by an old customer years ago. After giving away 3/4 of it, I still have a enough to last a couple life times.

Hi Randell,

I worked out the lead wire thingi because I needed so many rifle slings for some infantry I'm working on, and cutting them never gave me any consistancy. Now I can have straps/slings as need be. I suppose it will be buckles next, but by that time the men in the white van may have arrived

It's made life much easier, that's for sure.

I think the Grant cost me £12.00 and the resin suspension came in at £14.00 - no contest with the extra bits you get that are always useful.

Cheers

Al

Hello Alan,
A very nice build you have there. Thank you for posting it. Also thank you for sharing the "McNeilly Manouver". I've had a couple of dio dilemas that have now been solved thanks to your "Manouver". Especially the rifle slings.
This build has got me eyeballing my stack of shermans in my stash

Cheers from the Pacific Northwest
Dave