Bullbasket Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 With the M1 Super Sherman nearing completion, I needed a new project to keep me occupied when it’s not possible to work outside. I’ve already got two M51s in my collection, a Batch 2 (Beth) and a Batch 4 (Dalet). The Batch 3 (Gimmel) has always appealed to me as unlike all of the other M51s, it’s not an M4A1 conversion, but an M4A3. There is no kit of this tank, so it’s going to be a conversion. The base kit for this is Tamiya’s Easy 8, Korean version. This one has the correct tracks (T80) whereas the European version has the T60 tracks. When I did a 1/35th scale M1 Super Sherman a couple of years ago, I used Tamiya’s M51 as a basis. The turret, main gun, gun mantlet and engine deck weren’t needed from that kit, so they were kept, to be used in a conversion such as this. The engine deck will only require the minimum of alteration. The kit includes the jerry can racks, but they are a little on the thick side and have the jerry cans moulded with them, so I decided to use etched brass. Eduard do a set for the Academy kit of the M51 and most of the parts will fit (except the grouser vent mesh). I’ll need to get another etched set as I’ve used the jerry can racks from this one on the last build. With all the problems that I had sourcing decals for the M1 build, this one is the opposite, as I have a choice. Both Sabingamartin and Star Decals do a sheet which covers this tank, but I am going to try and obtain the Sabingamartin one as the Star one appears to have left off some of the markings from the glacis plate. This is the tank that I will be building. The only problem that I can see is sourcing the .50 cal machine gun. I’m hoping that by just leaving off the perforated shield at the base of the barrel and shortening it will do the job. Anyway, I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. So there you have it. I’m just laying down a marker for this one so don’t expect much to happen on this thread for a while as I’ve only just ordered the kit and it won’t be here for about 10 days. It was a bit of bargain from Model Hobbies. Just under £40, including p&p. Hannants wanted £42 plus p&p. John. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dads203 Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Another Sherman John I’ve got the WW2 version of the same base kit and it’s a nice bit of kit, again a quality bit of Tamiya engineering. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M3talpig Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Bullbasket said: The only problem that I can see is sourcing the .50 cal machine gun. I’m hoping that by just leaving off the perforated shield at the base of the barrel and shortening it will do the job. You can get one of those from the Academy U.S heavy weapons set........ https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/academy-135-us-ww11-machine-gun-set/ Edited October 1, 2020 by M3talpig 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dads203 Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Or a set of these John https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MRSM3501?result-token=irIhY https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MRSM3502?result-token=irIhY 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil1960 Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Great idea! I love IDF Sherman. I'll follow you with great interest, as usual 😉. Ciao Filippo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted October 1, 2020 Share Posted October 1, 2020 Another Sherman John, haven't you done one before... At least your back to a proper scale, good man! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 14 hours ago, Dads203 said: Another Sherman John I’ve got the WW2 version of the same base kit and it’s a nice bit of kit, again a quality bit of Tamiya engineering. Yes. I can never have enough Shermans. I did a lot of research with regards to which kit to use and this one came out on top for me for a few reasons. I did look at the Tasca/Asuka version, but some of the prices dealers were asking were ridiculous. One wanted £68!! A bit steep for a kit that I intend to butcher, and only use about two thirds. Plus, working tracks do nothing for me, certainly not in this case. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 15 hours ago, M3talpig said: You can get one of those from the Academy U.S heavy weapons set....... 15 hours ago, Dads203 said: Or a set of these John Thanks both of you for that info. It's really useful. I may end up getting both. John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 2, 2020 Author Share Posted October 2, 2020 15 hours ago, Phil1960 said: Great idea! I love IDF Sherman. I'll follow you with great interest, as usual 😉. Ciao Filippo Glad to have you along Filippo. 13 hours ago, Jasper dog said: Another Sherman John, haven't you done one before... At least your back to a proper scale, good man! Yes, one or two. I'm giving the smaller scale a rest for a while, so that my eyes can recover. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 25 minutes ago, Bullbasket said: Yes, one or two. I'm giving the smaller scale a rest for a while, so that my eyes can recover. You've done a couple, that many, you'll be getting a name as some sort of enthusiast! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 (edited) Damn. That's another one I can knock off my ever-decreasing IDF Sherman build list for a while.........! I also have the Tamiya M51 turret and engine deck parts left over from my still-unfinished Chilean M50, and planned to cross them with a Tamiya M4A3E8 too. There were only about a dozen welded-hull M51's, all of which IIRC had previously been M1 Shermans (i.e M4A3E8 with the radial engine conversion) but were not upgraded to Super Shermans with HVSS along the way. The AN/M2 aircraft MG was essentially the same weapon as the M2HB. The AN in the designation meant Army Navy, but Army in that context meant USAAC. Certainly in 1/35 you won't see any differences such as the ability for solenoid firing and a higher rate of fire. IIRC the air-cooled barrel could be fitted to the M2HB as long as the matching barrel extension was fitted to adapt it to the receiver group. I have a couple of spare brass AN/M2 air-cooled barrels, Master or RB. PM me your address and I'll send one your way. MR Modellbau do a 105mm barrel for the M51: unfortunately my spare one is on eBay right now and already has bids. A Russian D-10 barrel for the SU-100 or T-54 is almost exactly the right length and profile (and cheaper and easier to find!), but without the step for fitting the muzzle brake. Edited October 2, 2020 by Das Abteilung Correction 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartH Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 I can't say I understand all the technicalities of your opening post but it looks very interesting and the markings look very cool so I will be following with interest. On the subject of good prices for model kits then Plaza Japan are an excellent source with great service and relatively quick delivery. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry1954 Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 Wow, another IDF Sherman. This will be good I know it! Will follow this one like the others! Terry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 I'm in - love your Sherman builds and all the extra detail that you put into them Stay safe Roger 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phildagreek Posted October 3, 2020 Share Posted October 3, 2020 Looking in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 @StuartH, @Terry1954, @Hamden and @phildagreek. Very glad to have you all along. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 3, 2020 Author Share Posted October 3, 2020 On 01/10/2020 at 17:47, M3talpig said: You can get one of those from the Academy U.S heavy weapons set........ https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/academy-135-us-ww11-machine-gun-set/ On 01/10/2020 at 17:59, Dads203 said: Or a set of these John https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/MRSM3501?result-token=irIhY 16 hours ago, Das Abteilung said: I have a couple of spare brass AN/M2 air-cooled barrels, Master or RB. PM me your address and I'll send one your way. Well, this turned in to a bit of a farce. First I tried to order the Master set from Hannants and the cost fell just below their minimum price by a few pence, so it meant that I needed to order something that I didn't want, just to reach their minimum cost. So then I tried Wonderland Models for the Academy set. They wanted £15 p&p to ship a £6 item to France. Bolleaux!! So after trawling around, I found this from Aber http://www.aber.net.pl/upload/pdf/In35_L81_browning_anm2_p_1.pdf A quick look at the Historex site to confirm that they had them, and the outcome of it is that they should be on their way to me soon. Thanks for the offer Peter, and thanks for the info regarding the MR Modellbau, and the IDF 105mm. I may just order that. John. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaastav Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Mind if I follow, Israeli stuff is interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 35 minutes ago, Vaastav said: Mind if I follow, Israeli stuff is interesting. You're very welcome Ivor. Take a pew. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M3talpig Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 On 03/10/2020 at 09:35, Bullbasket said: They wanted £15 p&p to ship a £6 item to France. Bolleaux!! There taking the royal wee wee...the box for that set is tiny .....and it weighs nothing ....... £15 my big hairy ......... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 5, 2020 Author Share Posted October 5, 2020 1 hour ago, M3talpig said: There taking the royal wee wee...the box for that set is tiny .....and it weighs nothing ....... £15 my big hairy ......... They certainly are. Neh bother though, as I've just received an email from Historex to say that the Aber short barrel .50 cal. guns are on their way. Also, just spoke with the good Dr. Robert, and the decals are also on their way. It's all coming together. John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbow Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 1 hour ago, M3talpig said: There taking the royal wee wee...the box for that set is tiny .....and it weighs nothing ....... £15 my big hairy ......... Cranium ? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M3talpig Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 6 minutes ago, Longbow said: Cranium Hit the nail on the ......wait for it.....HEAD 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted October 6, 2020 Share Posted October 6, 2020 14 hours ago, M3talpig said: ....... £15 my big hairy ......... 13 hours ago, Longbow said: Cranium ? Thank goodness for Lee, almost had the most horrific mental image, you can't unsee that stuff! Just tried looking for .50 barrels and they do appear to be in short supply, saying that looking on the RB site and they have run out of a lot of stuff... Daft thing is, I don't actually need a .50 barrel at present, just with seeing some recently they look so good.... But come on John we aren't seeing much progress, I know you have a little touch up job to do on barn or lean to but really, commitment.... Good luck 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 6, 2020 Author Share Posted October 6, 2020 2 hours ago, Jasper dog said: But come on John we aren't seeing much progress, I know you have a little touch up job to do on barn or lean to but really, commitment... It's a little difficult to work on a kit that is in transit between the UK and France. But now that the M1 S.Sherman is finished, I can make a start on the turret, which I do have. Watch this space. John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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