MarkSH Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Morning all, Here with an old kit from Tamiya, originally released in 1981 but updated with new parts in 1995. As most will know I ain't no armour expert, in fact I have only 'successfully' completed a single tank in 1/35 in the shape of a Panzer IV for the STGB a few years ago. My aim here is to produce a quick build, but try to develop the weathering using a process I have employed reasonably successfully with some of my aircraft builds using oil paints, nothing new there. However, I have been watching several talented exponents of the process on YouTube and the effects they have achieved are remarkable and right up my alley, hopefully I can produce something of a similar ilk. The obligatory box contents shot: Cheers, Mark. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoot Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Classic kit, always a nice easy build. Look forward to seeing what you do with this one. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 I like the sound of bringing aircraft techniques here. Cross fertilisation an all! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 13, 2022 Share Posted March 13, 2022 Welcome aboard sir its a very good kit I built it when it first came out and did some minor mods by updating the mantlet and adding a larger canister for the .50 taken from an .50 anti aircraft mount. I will need to dig out my grandfathers builds abd post them for inspiration. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Hi Mark. Welcome to the GB. Great to have you here and it's always good to see these older Tamiya kits being made. I'm looking forward to following your progress. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mig Eater Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 (edited) I'm currently building one of these too (with a few modifications), only major issue with the kit is that the bottom of the sponsons over the tracks is open (typical of old Tamiya kits), some strips of plastic card can easily fill them though. . Edited March 14, 2022 by Mig Eater 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted March 14, 2022 Share Posted March 14, 2022 Nice choice Mark. The older Tamiya kits are still great, especially if - like me - you want to concentrate on the overall look without getting bogged down by million piece tracks or etched brass tool brackets! 😄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted March 21, 2022 Author Share Posted March 21, 2022 Hello all, Managed to make a start on the Tamiya Sherman, Nice as it is there isn't a lot to the general assembly and it has gone together quite rapidly: I started with the wheelie things as there were some mould seams to clean up. The lower hull is very simple with only a few parts, I have also taken onboard @Mig Eater's comments with regard to the open sponsons and added thin strips to serve as a fixing point for some plastic covers, The upper hull is similarly straight forward; the rear deck plating has been fitted The upper and lower hulls mated and the sponson covers glued in place Wheelie things and rear end details attached. The bits of additional armour have been added That's all so far. Cheers, Mark. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longbow Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 That's a nice start... I do like this Sherman variant. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 Hi Mark. Looks like you have made excellent progress already!! Looking good. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted March 21, 2022 Share Posted March 21, 2022 Great start, looking good already.. Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted March 27, 2022 Author Share Posted March 27, 2022 Afternoon all, A little more assembly progress along with some added detail: All of the hull accoutrements have been added plus I have made a towing cable as they seem quite common in images of the Sherman at war. The cable is made from a pair of 4 lengths 0.2 mm copper wire twisted clockwise and then put together and twisted counter-clockwise, just like rope it should hold itself together. The towing eyes are spares from my Dragon Panzer IV build. Looking at the photo I have just realized that I have forgotten to drill out the muzzle of the hull machine gun. I have added some 0.5 mm copper wire lashing brackets to the turret, just sticking the knapsacks etc. to the side of turret seemed a bit simplistic so I'll try to create some rope effect with a few lengths of Caldercraft rigging from a long stalled HMS Victory build More lashing brackets on the other side of the turret and a general dry fit of turret and gun plus the stowage bits to try and find a pleasing but plausible arrangement. I need assemble the turret top .50 machine gun and to paint the inside of the turret and hull next and then decide on a general painting sequence for the externals. Cheers, Mark. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 Looks real good, that is more detail than I can think about doing on my build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigfoot Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 That is coming along nicely. The added cable and brackets are nice touches. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 That looks really good, you have added some nice details.... Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSH Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 Evening all, I think the general construction is complete, still a lot of dry fitted bits and bobs and I think I need to add some clasps or brackets near the ends of the tow cable but overall ready for some paint when the Easy Eight is at the same point: Cheers, Mark. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfa1983 Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 (edited) That looks really awesome, particularly with all the stowage and accoutrements! (Great word by the way) Edited March 29, 2022 by arfa1983 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatfingers Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Very tidy build and great work with those tiny tie downs on the turret 👍 Regards, Steve 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 That really is looking really smart Mark. Wonderful modelling. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 Nice job on the M4, particularly like the tow cable. Good luck Darryl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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