Mozzy19

Thanks John, I was wondering where else I could turn the pencil to next. Sean

So both track runs have been built, painted and fitted. My plan for this is to have it in a little village street diorama so I’ve weathered the track pads to represent the cobble stones wearing the chevrons back to fresh steel. I’m not entirely sure I’ve got the look just right yet so any advice would be appreciated. The pictures have shown me I still have some work to do on that folded camo net Sean

Not for this one. I am aware that this tank did have them fitted but my sanity couldn’t take adding that number of tiny pieces unfortunately. Sean

RFM tracks arrived yesterday, started last night and one run completed this morning. So much more user friendly than the Bronco ones even if the detail is a little softer around the track pins. But that doesn’t matter to me too much, they’re just gonna get muddy anyway Now for the other side... Sean

Thanks MD. The initial paint job did have a satin finish to it, but as John said wet transfer decals need a glossy surface to avoid silvering. So the whole thing was given a coat of gloss and left to dry for a day before decals were applied. I also brushed some gloss over each decal as the Star decals carrier film have a very flat finish to them. I used a bit of Mr Mark Softener Neo to persuade some of the decals around some of the curves. Sean

Well I suppose he has to get the money for Sherman kits from somewhere... Sean

Don’t give him any encouragement! He’s already persuaded me to get some Mig pigments with his personal recommendations Sean

The RFM ones look to be a lot more user friendly than the Bronco ones with jigs supplied and just by the way the guide horns are attached. But if they’re crap then it’s gonna be rubber band tracks for it Here are the blocks I’ve got: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00W9WVBUK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Sean

Thanks Darryl. I had seen those AFV tracks but I just fancied giving the indi links a second chance but those AFV tracks are there as plan C. The block of foam is actually going to be used to create the front wall of a house with the rest based on balsa wood. I have another 5 blocks which will be used as bases in the future as they’re almost the perfect size for a small vignette. Sean

Let me guess, you’re at the Zimmerit stage? Sean

I fine tuned the weathering on the hull today and then I added the suspension bogies and idler wheels. The drive sprockets and idler wheels are still loose to aid with fitting the tracks. Speaking of which, I was really not impressed by the way Bronco have the sprue attachments to the track guide teeth. The clean up required to get them to fit the tracks nicely is simply not worth it in my opinion, especially as there are 166 to do per side So after an afternoon of browsing I’ve ordered some Rye Field Models tracks which look to be a bit more user friendly after finding the instructions online. On a positive note I also got a flat coat on tonight and to say I’m pleased with the way it looks is an understatement, this is turning out to be one of my best models to date I’ll sort out the stowage and .50 cal while I’m waiting for the tracks. I’ll also use the time to start work on a base which wasn’t part of the original plan but I think it deserves one Sean

Brilliant. I’ll have a look to see if I can find some elsewhere, I’m not sure about that website I initially found it on. Sean

So I’ve been cracking on with the weathering. A little more work is needed to blend the dust/dirt along the sides although the actual fade is a little better in the flesh compared to the photos, but a bit more work is needed nevertheless. Sean

Thanks John. Do you normally apply it before washes etc or after? Sean

Is this the stuff you mean? https://www.models2u.co.uk/contents/en-uk/p2817_allied-green-fading-weathering-pigment.html Sean

I’ve started the weathering today as well as applying the enormous number of decals (9 in total ). I feel that the chipping is a little much at the moment but I’ll tinker with it a bit more and I’m hoping washes and dust effects etc will help bring it together. Plus I’ll be adding stowage which should tone down the worst places (ahem engine decking... 🙄). Sean

Thanks Wayne. I enjoy this stage because I can do what I want and I’m not having to follow instructions etc. Just a few reference photos and away I go. Sean

The Firefly was primed the other day and was then given a spray of Tamiya TS-5 Olive drab tonight. Next will be detail painting, gloss coat, decals then I can have some fun weathering it. Sean

I think you hit the nail on the head there Darryl. Things seem to be going out of stock rather quickly on various websites nowadays Sean

These goodies also arrived today. Well I had to get some in before the good folk of the Tiger super thread depleted the modelling supplies worldwide Sean

I’ve been cracking on with this since Saturday and I’ve now completed most of the assembly of the hull. I ended up using the plastic tail light guards because I managed to duff up the etch ones. One of the headlight brush guards is also a bit wonky but I think I’ll disguise that with a bit of strategic stowage placement... I also added a few dents to the front mud guards because you can’t have a Sherman looking too pristine can you? Sean

I’ve been busy working on the hull today and I’ve made a fair bit of progress with it. A lot of the detail pieces have been added and the upper and lower hulls have been glued. I’ve also made a start on the Bronco tracks which are going together quite well so far. Sean

No progress, but our local DPD driver appeared to leave these at the front door this afternoon. I must have clicked buy now by mistake... Sean

Thanks chaps. Here’s my previous two attempts at dioramas although those two were on MiniArt bases whereas this one was scratch built from balsa wood. Sean

Thanks Darryl. The barrel is actually slightly skewed to the left when you look at it from directly above, so guess which angle you guys won’t be seeing... Sean