dov Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Hallo This is my first M3 to build. The first US vehicle. The interior kit is a good basis to start from. Already knoe MiniArt quite well. Not my first interior kit. The 10th already. The overall design is very different to German and Russian designs. My first question came up with the idler wheel or his axis. Because this part is easily to confuse. I am not sure yet, which side should be inside the wheel and which one in the tension bearing at the back of the frame. The thick axle to the wheel, the thinner part to the frame? Only this fits. Is it correct? Maybe you can help me. The build is quite straightforward. I have not so much clue from this tank. I will use myself made jug to get the track links in a proper align. Well, not more to say yet. Oil, drybrushing, paint brushing will be next. And assemble all parts as far. And than the next cycle. Happy modelling 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 Good start Dov, I have this exact kit to do, so I will watch your progress with interest, good luck on your build... Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f matthews Posted January 26, 2022 Share Posted January 26, 2022 I have this one as well. I’ve built two of Miniart’s Grant kits (MkI and MkII-no interior versions) and they are outstanding kits. Looking forward to your build! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 7 hours ago, dov said: I am not sure yet, which side should be inside the wheel and which one in the tension bearing at the back of the frame. The thick axle to the wheel, the thinner part to the frame? Only this fits. Is it correct? Maybe you can help me. If that is the only way the parts fit together with 2 different hole and peg sizes then that sounds right. You should leave the frame side loose so that you can fit and tension the tracks properly. Only glue it once you are happy. That is how the real thing worked and M3 tracks did not usually sag very much. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 Thanks, @Das Abteilung I think it is the best way! Now, I am on the paint job with interior only. So as you have already seen in my pictures. The base plate and two side walls with all interior. Since I build a M3 from the battle of Kursk in Soviet use, what will the interior look like? Far from the factory finish I suppose. Used and multiple repaired in main maintenance sites as well in field maintenance sites. To achieve some better effects, I consider this particular tank after beeing re-engined! With a new engine! Used in the way of quite some wear. To achieve a fair result I think a basic oil treatment is fair. Secondly some dry brush, to get paints off. And again some wear again and some dirt. Well, I will see what it will look like if I finished it. Now the oil has to dry a little before I go ahead. Next post you will have some pics more. Happy modelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted January 27, 2022 Author Share Posted January 27, 2022 So, after painting and assembling there is the result. It looks to my opinion relatively modest. Far from perfect. The links will show you the pictures, where I get my path for painting the engine. Foto example 1 Foto Example 2 Foto Example 3 It will be a new one, since the really dirty engine after battle is far from my knowledge and ability. So this is the path. Just to add: All painting is on Mr.Color with the new MS and MC color range. Nothing else, just artist oil. Ok, this is for today. Happy modelling 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeM Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 Hi dov Looking good. Nice work on the interior. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 It's coming along very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 27, 2022 Share Posted January 27, 2022 A new engine is very possible. British tank troops in North Africa unfamilair with radial engines (who would be - it was an aircraft engine.......) failed to appreciate the need to hand-crank the engine a few turns before starting it. This distributed the lubricating oil from the bottom cylinder to the others. If you did not do this the engine did not last long before failing. Spare engines had to be air-freighted across the Atlantic because so many were ruined. I imagine it is likely that Russian troops may have made the same mistake. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted February 1, 2022 Share Posted February 1, 2022 On 1/27/2022 at 1:15 AM, Das Abteilung said: You should leave the frame side loose so that you can fit and tension the tracks properly. Only glue it once you are happy. It's good to know that there is a way to make the adjustments. (I have one to build later this year) This one is progressing very well. I like the interior paintwork, Dov. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted February 2, 2022 Author Share Posted February 2, 2022 Hallo Today I can confess that the engine is installed. It was not easy, due to a misinterpretation of the instruction. The exhaust pipes installation is not logic from the cylinder position. I took the wrong one. Well, after this I used all plane areas of the tank to get there in detail, as far necessary. I wonder how many windows and doors this tank has. The lower gun I made all the plastic work. When tomorrow all parts prepared are sprayed and painted I can build up the tank a little farther. When the basic hull with the top plate is done, I will continue with tracks and gear. Happy modelling 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 Good work Dov, engine looks great, looking forward to seeing the rest of the body parts come together Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Model Mate Posted February 2, 2022 Share Posted February 2, 2022 this is coming on very nicely - good work! I really must blow the dust off mine and get the last 0.001% finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted February 3, 2022 Author Share Posted February 3, 2022 Hallo One question: The clear parts, how does a real window with the glas part look like? I found just outside views, no proper inside view. The web is empty on this m,atter. I can only guess! If you have proper information, let me know. Thanks. Happy modelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted February 4, 2022 Author Share Posted February 4, 2022 Hallo Assembling is don so far. Also spraying as a basic with shading in both directions. Just as a basic. The overall weathering I will wait until the assembly of the turrets is done. My next step is the track chain and gear. I will spray the wheels with a jig. The assembly of the suspension units must be in pre-sprayed condition. Well so far. Happy modelling 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 Good work Dov, this is coming along nicely. Both interior and exterior paintwork looks good, keep it up... Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted February 4, 2022 Share Posted February 4, 2022 On 2/3/2022 at 8:01 AM, dov said: Hallo One question: The clear parts, how does a real window with the glas part look like? I found just outside views, no proper inside view. The web is empty on this m,atter. I can only guess! If you have proper information, let me know. Thanks. Happy modelling This is the left side door with the Protectoscope glass window. The round thing below is a collapsible canvas bucket. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 Hallo @Bertie Psmith do you have a cross section? So I could understand it better. I do not know how actually it works. The clear parts are tiny and accurate, but where is the vission window inside actually? Below the curved shaped something. It is a mirror device I asume. Do you have any idea, because of the front window. I have here a windscreen option with whipper. Is this for Russia? But you can not use the armor protected window than. Any idea how it workes? So far today. The plastic work is finished, spraying & assembly ahead. Happy modelling 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 22 minutes ago, dov said: Hallo @Bertie Psmith do you have a cross section? So I could understand it better. No I do not have a cross section The lever on the left makes the pistol port open for shooting out. The slit for looking through is narrow and filled with a thick bar of armoured glass. It is not a mirror or a periscope. 22 minutes ago, dov said: Do you have any idea, because of the front window. I have here a windscreen option with whipper. Is this for Russia? But you can not use the armor protected window than. Any idea how it workes? It is a removeable window with a wiper. Not just for Russia. It was used for non-combat operations. It would be replaced with the armoured hatch for battle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robw_uk Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 looking good.... tempting to add this sort of kit to my wishlist (lee/grant full interior rather than something with an interior) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 It's coming along really nicely Dov, keep going it's looking great... Ed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 It is finished: Happy modelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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