1/35 Tamiya M51 Degem Beth Batch Two Double Build

[Mike Mcellaney]

With the Batch One M51 completed its time to move on to the Batch Two, this was the first version of the M51 fitted with the Cummins VT-8-460 V8 Diesel engine, to allow the fitting of this engine it required the redesign of the engine deck, the rear of the lower hull to accommodate the revised exhaust outlet and attaching an armoured frame to extend the lower engine doors to accommodate the second fan belt on the new engine , adding additional armour plate to the rear of the hull to protect the large double radiator fitted to the rear end of the engine bay, plus a redesign of the external stowage.

 

As this is a double build one of the M51 will be on the M4A1 hull (Tamiya M51 basically OOB), the other will be based on the M4A3 hull so a kit bash of the Tamiya M51 and the Tamiya M4A3E8, both builds will have additional items added from Legend and Mr Models, plus some 3D printed parts

 

So onto the builds 

 

M4A1

1. Filled all of the location holes for brush guards 

2. Added bolt detail to the lower hull and around the exhaust outlet

3. Textured the front transmission housing

4. Added weld detail to the splash guards 

5. Replaced the moulded on grab handles with brass wire

 

 

 

 

 

 

M4A3

 

1. Filled all of the location holes for the brush guards, and the field telephone

2. Removed and filled the mounting points for gun travel lock

3. Textured the front transmission housing

4. Removed and filled on the hull sides all of the fixing points for the track guard supports as these will need to be relocated to suit the      new stowage layout

5. Filled the holes on the track guards and removed what looked like joint pieces on the track guards

6. Fitted the rear engine deck from the M51 including the side splash guards, and infilled the cut out in the front of the deck as this is        to accommodate the turret ring on the M4A1 hull, removed and replaced the rear plate with plastic card as the original one as a few      millimetres short, added the bolt detail 

7. Cut down and fitted the gun travel lock brackets

8. Added the weld detail to the splash guards 

9. Replaced the moulded on grab handles with brass wire 

10. Made good any welds removed and infilled the exhaust deflector mounting points on the rear hull

11. Altered the lower rear hull to match the Batch Two layout using parts removed from the M51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally both together

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Mcellaney]

Well the M4A1 hull version is almost ready for primer, I have decided to base the model on this M51 Sherman during the 6 Day War, I like the look of it in a wheat field just a bit different to the normal desert you think off, and I may try a vignette depicting this

 

 

So onto the turret 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Textured the turret

2. Filled the kit location for the spare antenna brackets (thats the white plastic you see on the rear counter weight)

3. Enhanced the weld bead

4. Added the casting numbers using the Archer resin decals

5. Added the 2 missing screw heads for the gun trunnion

6. Added the blade sight to the turret

7. Fitted the spare antennas in the correct position and made up brackets for them from spare photo etch and covered them in tissue and tied them down

8. Added some detail to the inside of the commanders hatch

9. Made and fitted the armoured patch to cover the hole cut into the turret roof to allow the main gun to be depressed  when in a hull down position 

10. Fitted PE chains to the smoke dischargers

11. Fitted a 3D printed .50cal gun lock as I want to show the air cooled .50cal barrel fitted into it

12. Altered the kit muzzle brake to back date to the Alef type by removing the additional bracing 

13. Added a bent antenna mount to allow the antenna to be tied down facing forward

 

The Hull

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Added mesh to the grouser box covers on the rear

2. Replaced the plastic engine cut off with a more detailed resin one

3. Added chains and extended pins to all of the armoured caps on the engine deck

4. Opened the periscopes on the drivers and bow gunners hatches

5. Replaced the moulded on grab handles with copper wire

6. Added lights from the spare box with 3D printed brush guards and plug to fill the hole when the lights removed and PE chains for them

7. Replaced the hook for the barbed wire with a PE part and added the welds to it

8. Added the hull founder mark with a PE part

9. Added the barbed wire bracket and tow cable bracket 

10. Added the track guards supports

11. Added cast marking to the transmission cover, PE chains to the tow shackle pins, added the tow shackle pins and the supports

12. Fitted 3D printed jerry can holders

13. Fitted 3D printed rear light guards

14. PE chain and pin for the wrench mounted on the rear hull

15. Added the securing bolts and PE chains for the rear access doors

16. PE chains to the tow shackle pins, added the tow shackle pins

17. Fitted all of the tools with PE brackets and tie down points and fitted them to the hull

18. Distressed all of the road wheels

19. Adjusted the Legend resin load to allow it to fit better on the rear and "fit" around the jerry can and holder and the armoured telephone

 

Well thats it now until I get the model painted, I have just noticed looking back on the phots I have broken two of the tow shackle pins will need to replace them