fatfingers Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 (edited) How do chaps, With all that there festive nonsense over with I thought it was time to declare my intent and make a start on my contribution. After a lot of indecision and procrastination this is what I decided to go with. This will be built as 'Charmer' from the 13/18 Hussars in Normandy. Decals are from Archer and are dry rub. I really like the large turret numbers. The sprues. And a large box of spare bits should I need them! I have a set of AFV Club 3 bar cleat tracks that I salvaged of an old kit years ago. Hopefully they will fit Started off with cleaning up the running gear. All put together. The real tank had solid spoked wheels apart from one of the rear bogeys that had an open spoked wheel. All of the pictures that I've seen of 'Charmer' don't show what type of track skid was fitted. The Dragon kit has two types so I'm a bit torn as to which to use. Early or swept - any of our Sherman experts know what type were fitted? But if not I'm not overly concerned. Rear plate with exhausts fitted. Transmission housing fitted. This took a bit of fettling to get right. Holes opened up in upper hull for the tools. Nice detailing on the front glacis plate and around the DV ports. And with the hull top fitted. This is going together faster than I imagined it would. At this rate I might even be able to build another one!!!! More soon, Regards, Steve Edited March 3, 2018 by fatfingers Finished! 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Nice one Steve, we we look to be at about the same stage, I've got to say she's going together like a dream so far. Looking at the art work on your transfers they gone with the later skids. Are you planning any wadding kit for the rear? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 3 minutes ago, Ozzy said: Nice one Steve, we we look to be at about the same stage, I've got to say she's going together like a dream so far. Looking at the art work on your transfers they gone with the later skids. Are you planning any wadding kit for the rear? Thanks Ozzy. I was inclined to go for the later skids but wasn't sure. No wading kit as I imagine it was taken off at some point I do have a nice Ultracast stowage box for the turret rear though! Regards, Steve 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 I like the touch with the wheel, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Neat! I have this kit too and have been wondering what to do with it, as it can't really be built as any of the markings provided tanks, without new tracks and various other mods. I didn't know DV Sherman IIIs were used in France. Have any photos of the real thing? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz23 Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Nice choice, look forward to seeing how you progress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Hi Steve. Hope you are well. I have this kit in the stash so I will be interested to follow what you do with it. Looking good so far. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 Just a quick word of warning when you open the track packaging, mine were covered in an oily substance. I've not seen that before on DS tracks previously. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 1 hour ago, Ozzy said: Just a quick word of warning when you open the track packaging, mine were covered in an oily substance. I've not seen that before on DS tracks previously. Thanks Ozzy. Won't be using kit tracks as Charmer was fitted with 3 bar cleat type. I have a set of the AFV Club tracks to use Regards Steve 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 I've used a set of those before, the molding is really good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Splendid.....IIRC I commissioned a set of 1/72 decals based on profiles of this vehicle and its platoon mates (should probably use them one day). I believe I've got some reference pictures of the platoon being loaded up prior to departure for Normandy.....PM me if they might be of use. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 On 1/2/2018 at 12:29 PM, fatfingers said: Thanks Ozzy. Won't be using kit tracks as Charmer was fitted with 3 bar cleat type. I have a set of the AFV Club tracks to use Regards Steve Is it the T-49 track that many British sherman IIIs wore, or something else? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Yes T-49. Very common on British Shermans apparently. I did some googling and found quite a few pics of 'Charmer' showing the tracks and a bit of stowage too Regards Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 (edited) http://www.archertransfers.com/AR35173pic.html Great subject, my favourite Sherman variant. Will watch with interest. Edited January 4, 2018 by Threadbear 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 How do chaps. Got some more done today. Went with the swept track skids and these are now fitted. These were a bit of a faff to clean up but look ok fitted. Started to add the various bits and bobs to the upper hull. Decided to use the plastic light guards as me and etch don't usually get too well! The additional armour panels were scrounged from an old Dragon M4A4 kit that's been languishing in the loft for many years. I realised that this one was fitted a bit too high so it was prised off and re fitted lower. Also made a start on the spinning shooty bit. Seam line needs a bit more work on it too. Hopefully get the build finished in the next day or so and then time for some paint. Regards, Steve 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Nice going Steve, I need to get some super glue to start on my etch bits. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Yes great progress steve, super looking kit, your putting it together well, I'm looking forward to the painting now, to be fair those headlight gaurds are no where near as bad as academy's effort, which are pretty industrial looking to be honest, Glynn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoftScience Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Nice nice nice. Funny you mention favoring the plastic guards over the PE offerings. I always thought that Dragon's plastic bits are more than adequate, so I've been scrounging the PE to replace the chunky bits in Tamiya M4s. That way everyone looks nice. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Nice neat job on that Sherman. Once the six bogies are assembled on these kits, it is petty plain sailing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 (edited) How do chaps, Had a good few hours in the shed today and here's where I'm at with the build. I added the etch bolt heads to the rear plate. These were stuck on with Gator Glue. Went bog eyed doing this and the amount is wrong - but I aint that worried about it In this kit the front fenders are etch and as mentioned before I avoid this where ever possible. A quick furtle in the pile of Sherman spares I found 2 from an old kit. after a bit of trimming they fitted ok. Also added a resin stowage box. This is from Ultracast in Canada. I ordered 5 of these direct and they weighed in at just over £20 posted and only took about 10 days to arrive. I then decided to add the strips that the skirts are fitted to. Again the kit provides these in brass, but I decided to use plastic strip. Holes were drilled into this too to represent where the bolts would be. Not perfect but they will do. 'Charmer' also had a metal bar fitted on the transmission housing, so this was fitted at the same time. 'Charmer' also had some tracks fitted to the front glacis plate and the turret. These were again nabbed form the spares pile and fitted. The brackets were knocked up from plastic strip. Also started to play with some stowage on the hull front. This is based on an actual photo of 'Charmer' As regards the rear stowage I think I will just wing it I will also need to knock up a bracket for the smoke grenade launchers to be fitted after the paint and decals have been added. I reckon she's about ready for some paint now. Will hopefully get the primer coat done tomorrow when I get back from my local club meet Really enjoyed doing some 'scratching' today. More soon. Regards, Steve Edited January 5, 2018 by fatfingers Imgur being a prat again!!!!! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 She's coming along a treat Steve, hopefully I'll get some brass on mine this weekend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Great work on the Sherman, I like the way the stowage is coming along and the reluctance to use P/E. I am exactly the same! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Like it so far. I have to say that I will also try and use plasticard instead of etch when I can, especially the sand shield attachment strip along the side of the hull. Once glued, they never come off, unlike the etched ones that can be a PITA in that department. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Looks great so far! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr T Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Not being an armour modeller, this is an interesting thread to follow to see how it's done. Sometimes tempted by small scale armour, but then I look at the stash and the model railway stuff, and I think there is enough to be going on with. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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