Emcha, Berlin '45

[amblypygid]

While my P-40 reaches the stage of decalling and weathering, I thought I'd start something else off while I wait for parts to dry etc.

Although I was planning originally to build a Zvezda Pe-2, following some armour builds here (especially PlaStix's IS-2 dual build) made me turn to my small armour stash. I feel that there ought to be a representative in the GB of the 4,000-odd Shermans that went to the Red Army, so I pulled out the Dragon 1/35 M4A2(76) kit. The box holds plenty of sprues, a small sheet of photo-etch, a metal barrel, a tiny decal sheet, and a dead spider.

Couldn't say when I last built a vehicle. I guess it'll be a learning experience, just hope it's interesting, and I get a reasonable outcome before the end of the GB.

[Procopius]

Godspeed, from what I've heard, the Dragon kits can be daunting.

[TonyTiger66]

I'll be along for this. Great subject; I love Sherman's. Hope the first pic captures the dead spider

Best regards

Tony

[Troy Smith]

Bit of inspiration for you

this is famous one of them in vienna

A google image search for 'soviet sherman' will bring up more.

I have a 1/48 Hobby Boss m4A3(76) plus a Gasoline M4A2 conversion stashed somewhere

cheers

T

[Sgt.Squarehead]

Splendid choice.....First lend-lease AFV in the GB AFAIK.

I have plenty of references.....PM if needed.

[Foxbat]

Another to cross off my to do list. I've been eyeing up the Zvezda kit since I have decals for it. Nice to see it done in a proper size too.

Edited July 11, 2016 by Foxbat

[amblypygid]

Thanks, all - nice pictures, Troy. I found Berlin specific Sherman photos harder to find on the web, at least ones that can be confirmed in some way. There's a nice one of some in a German town here:

http://worldwartwozone.com/gallery.old/556/RED_ARMY_Shermans_Battle_of_Berlin.jpg

Tony, I'm afraid the deceased arachnid missed the photoshoot. They haven't uploaded to photobucket, so I'll have to check again later.

PC, really? I've seen a few builds implying that it's a suitably straightforward kit for the likes of me, but we'll see.

Sgt., PM sent, thanks!

Foxbat, I hope to do it some sort of justice.

[PlaStix]

Hi Chris. Really looking forward to following your build of this one. I've only made a few Dragon 1/72nd tanks (Tiger 1s, King Tiger and a Panther) but I really enjoyed them. At some point I would like to have a go at one of their 1/35 tanks.

Kind regards,

Stix

[amblypygid]

Thanks, Stix.

Got the box & sprue shots uploaded. There are a lot of bits of plastic in there, it's hard to squeeze it all back in.

[PlaStix]

Very nice!

[Sgt.Squarehead]

That box-art is truly gopping!

Suspect the kit will be better.

PS - Reply sent.

[TonyTiger66]

My word look at all those parts ! The last Sherman I made was by Airfix and had about 30 parts, most of which were wheels

That looks very detailed indeed. Very nice

Tony

[Sgt.Squarehead]

You really need to try a modern top-quality Braille kit Tony....Might I recommend you treat yourself to something from these fellows (they should be quite affordable in your part of the world too): http://henk.fox3000.com/flyhawkmodel.htm

[amblypygid]

Very little to report here, I'm finishing off another couple of kits (one GB and one that's been languishing). Thus far I have some wheels and I've made and painted three suspension units (bogies? I've forgotten what they're called.) I hope this is the tedious part of the build, because it feels like a real slog!

[amblypygid]

I'm afraid that this is an update that isn't really an update. Workload means that all I've done is put together those three painted units and prep the parts for the three on the other side. But year-end is nearly done, so that's good. And yet, month-end is upon me, so perhaps there won't be much progress to report this coming week

[TonyTiger66]

Don't worry Chris. The modelling mojo is still there, it's just that rubbish of 'real world' stuff getting in the way. Happens to us all. Plenty of time.

This Would be a good time to build a Frog kit OOB over a weekend. We need to get back to grass roots sometimes

Best regards

Tony

[amblypygid]

Thanks, Tony - no Frog kits in the stash, though! I've done a bit more on the undercarriage, though all these mods for grass strip usage seem to be rather weighty and I fear it may never get off the ground.

I've also started planning to build three DH twin booms (2 Vamps & a Sea Vixen), none of which will require green paint. By the time I've done them, I'll be as tired of EDSG as Russian Green...

[amblypygid]

Right, finally got the wheels and bogies done (or 90% done, a bit of touching up needed). This is where I start to enter unknown territory (or at least very unfamiliar territory). My plan is to paint the lower hull and then do a bit of weathering. Then attach the bogies and weather those (plus driver & idler wheels). Finally the tracks, but these are rubber band tracks and my memories of the Matchbox tracks are unpleasant. I see many modellers fit the tracks to the wheels without gluing the latter, then (once well set) remove the wheel/track assembly until the rest of the model is finalised. Is that something that is impractical with rubber band tracks, because the tension will force everything out of alignment? Or are modern versions not quite so elastic? Surely they must be painted in situ to avoid the paint cracking and flaking when they are stretched? Decisions, decisions...

As I'm sure you can tell, any advice would be welcome! Away for the weekend, so plenty of time to cogitate.

[amblypygid]

Goodness me. A fortnight flies by and soon the GB end date will be less than a month away. Time to get cracking!

The lower hull is coming together, and I started work on the upper hull last night, though I spent an inordinate amount of time on a PE periscope guard that frankly I suspect wouldn't have remained on any in service vehicle for very long, so that'll be coming off unless I can find some photos that show otherwise.

[amblypygid]

Lack of modelling time means that two weeks later the build has barely progressed. Coming back to the kit last night made it clear to me that this won't get finished in time, unfortunately. I'd really rather not rush the build, and I'm not feeling the love for it at the moment either. I'd rather try and do the kit justice than end up with an sub-standard build.