Longbow Posted March 26, 2022 Share Posted March 26, 2022 16 hours ago, Geo1966 said: We have a hull, well a tub. I thought i might have the problem you sometimes get where the side walls end up at an angle, but no such problems with Tamiya. George Its a well engineered kit 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted March 27, 2022 Share Posted March 27, 2022 Great to see the hull went together well. These Tamiya kits are rather good. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 1, 2022 Author Share Posted April 1, 2022 Finally an update. I have been plugging away but had family visits, house stuff, oh and work getting in the way. Anyway most of the construction is done. Still need to do the hatches, but need to sort out which figures i am going to use first, so thats the next job. Also need to sort out the 'luggage rack', light guards and the engine deck handles. I am also in the process of making the Academy US machine gun set 50 Cal as it looks a bit more detailed than the one Tamiya provide. Do i need to cut down the flash eliminator or is that right? Just it looks quite a bit bigger than the Tamiya one? George 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted April 1, 2022 Share Posted April 1, 2022 Unless you're sticking the .50’s into a twin mount I wouldn't worry about too much. I doubt many will notice the 1/2 mm difference between them on a shelf. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 2, 2022 Author Share Posted April 2, 2022 I’ve come to the realisation that my eyes, club fingers and patience are not up to PE apart from the bigger pieces. Shame, but there is no point getting annoyed and this taking the enjoyment from the hobby for me. Also, when you look at some parts (especially from newer kits like this Tamiya Sherman) it makes me wonder if the PE is really needed in some areas. The Voyager part which needs all the bends is 13mm long, the Tamiya part is in the pink circle and looks good to my dodgy eyes! BTW I do realise that PE can really enhance a model and I take my hat off to people who can do it. I often look at others work with my chin on the floor at how people can do such detailing, sadly it is beyond me. George 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arfa1983 Posted April 2, 2022 Share Posted April 2, 2022 Sometimes the peices are so small that I don't even see how removing them from the fret is possible! But with larger pieces which require folding, it is nice when they have a suitable plastic piece as well. However like anything, practice is the key. So I recommend you at least try making the pieces to get practice. If you use your hobby knife as an edge to fold against, using tweezers, or a toothpick to roll against to create a curve, it can be quite satisfying. Also you can use acrylic clear tamiya or Gunze as a glue for itsy bitsy little peices. For sure I am not a master but I have gotten better by trying each time to use as much PE as possible. It doesn't always work but it's ok. (Actually it's super frustrating but you know... 🤣) I've also heard about annealing the fret using a lighter to make it more plyable and less springy but I don't thinkI have ever tried it. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted April 3, 2022 Share Posted April 3, 2022 Looks like good progress to me with your build. I agree with Dennis with regards the barrel end. As to PE; I only ever use the parts I feel comfortable using, but I agree with arfa1983, it's worth practicing with some bits, even if you don't end up using them. I use a lot more PE than I used to, but that down to practicing with it. I do agree, though, that sometimes the PE isn't worth the effort as the kit part isn't that bad. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 3, 2022 Author Share Posted April 3, 2022 2 hours ago, PlaStix said: Looks like good progress to me with your build. I agree with Dennis with regards the barrel end. As to PE; I only ever use the parts I feel comfortable using, but I agree with arfa1983, it's worth practicing with some bits, even if you don't end up using them. I use a lot more PE than I used to, but that down to practicing with it. I do agree, though, that sometimes the PE isn't worth the effort as the kit part isn't that bad. Kind regards, Stix Thanks Stix, you and @arfa1983 have guilted me in to trying some PE. I have made a little box. No idea what it is for? Any ideas? George 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 3, 2022 Author Share Posted April 3, 2022 Had quite a good weekend at the bench and things are coming on. At the stage where progress doesn't really show on the Sherman. So here is the current crew. Bugger they look rough in close up!!! Anyway, meet 'Fingers' on the left (as he has lost a thumb) and 'stern Vern' as he looks miserable! 'Fingers' is a bit tall as he has borrowed some legs from somewhere else. He also borrowed an arm! The band around his waist is tamiya tape to replace the bottom of his jacket. Hopefully they will look better with some paint! 🙄 George 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted April 3, 2022 Share Posted April 3, 2022 Nice work with the pe box! If you're planning or thinking of doing anymore pe I can recommend getting a hold and fold type device, really handy if doing longer folds. Annealing as @arfa1983suggested is a good idea too. However, as has already been mentioned, some pe parts arn't actually as good as the plastic original that its designed to replace... My take on pe sets just be very selective what parts you use and don't feel obliged to use more than you want to. Atb Darryl 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 Hi George. Nice work with the PE box!! But sorry, no idea what it was originally for! Those figures will be fine with some paint on. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edjbartos Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 Good work George with the box, just keep having a go with the bits of PE that you can do, eventually it does get a little easier, not a lot, but easier. Those figures will look fine, well done... Ed 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 5, 2022 Author Share Posted April 5, 2022 Thanks for the added encouragement @Jasper dog@PlaStix@edjbartos on the PE. I have tried a few more bits. Also the crew are looking a bit better with an undercoat! George 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted April 5, 2022 Share Posted April 5, 2022 Your PE work is looking great, no worries there. Good luck with the figures, armour really benefits from them but I can't get them looking even vaguely human! Darryl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted April 5, 2022 Share Posted April 5, 2022 2 hours ago, Geo1966 said: Also the crew are looking a bit better with an undercoat! The guy on the right looks as though he's got a strop on (from my 40+ years of marriage experience) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted April 7, 2022 Share Posted April 7, 2022 On 05/04/2022 at 07:47, Geo1966 said: I have tried a few more bits. Hi George. I'd say you are doing a great job with the PE parts! And the figures are looking good too! Kind regards, Stix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted April 8, 2022 Share Posted April 8, 2022 On 03/04/2022 at 20:00, Geo1966 said: I have made a little box. No idea what it is for? Any ideas? Sorry it's taken me so long to reply but I had trouble finding the purpose of that box in my references. It was for a first aid kit, I found a picture in my Squadron/Signal Sherman walk around book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 9, 2022 Author Share Posted April 9, 2022 8 hours ago, Retired Bob said: Sorry it's taken me so long to reply but I had trouble finding the purpose of that box in my references. It was for a first aid kit, I found a picture in my Squadron/Signal Sherman walk around book. Morning Bob, no need to appologise. Thanks for the info. I am hoping it doesn't need a red cross on it as i dont have one. George 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 9, 2022 Author Share Posted April 9, 2022 Bit all over the place at the moment. Anyway i am making progress, but with no logic in the order i am doing things. Nobody would believe i used to be a Project Manager! So 'Fingers' has a new right had as the previous one looked like he had a mitten on, he also has a PE waist band which looks better than the previous tape. Also found out that CA De-bonder is good at stripping paint! 😱 The blob in the middle will be the driver (obviously he needs a head). The stroppy guy (as Bob calls him) has had a base coat. In terms of the main even, i.e. the Sherman I got some thinner copper as Lee (Longbow) suggested and have done the hatches and lift handles. Next i need to add the tools, maybe a tow cable and then sort out some stowage. George 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired Bob Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 13 hours ago, Geo1966 said: I am hoping it doesn't need a red cross on it as i dont have one. Your Sherman and figures are looking good, as for a red cross on the first aid storage box, I have not seen one on the outside of the box, If I find photo that does I'll let you know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted April 11, 2022 Share Posted April 11, 2022 On 09/04/2022 at 09:13, Geo1966 said: but with no logic in the order i am doing things. Nobody would believe i used to be a Project Manager! Sometimes that's what makes a good project Manager. I've found that things very rarely go to the best laid plans. Good to see more progress and looking good. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geo1966 Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 Starting to get somewhere now. Think I have pretty much finished the assembly. Having had a try with the PE I now wish I had at least had a go at the light guards. Oh well maybe on the next build. TOW chain and stowage to add (think I said that last time) then I think I am ready for paint. I have a confession……………….I have never built a Sherman before. I know, shame on me. Anyway, I am surprised at how big they were, guess I thought they were a bit bigger than a Stuart. More like twice the size. Not much progress on the figures, but they are ready to have their faces painted. I saw a really easy way to do them on YouTube rather than all of the usual faffing around, so might give it a try. If it works, I will let you know, if not I am back to the usual faffing around 😬 George 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 3 minutes ago, Geo1966 said: Not much progress on the figures, but they are ready to have their faces painted. I saw a really easy way to do them on YouTube rather than all of the usual faffing around, so might give it a try. If it works, I will let you know, if not I am back to the usual faffing around 😬 Please do! If it works let us in on the secret! The number of times I've seen folk do it and they make it look so easy... Think I've now built such a huge mental block about them it's going to take a miracle to overcome. Your Sherman is looking great by the way, super neat work with the pe. Darryl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bertie McBoatface Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 On 3/25/2022 at 7:07 AM, Geo1966 said: need one of those! Will add it to my wishlist. Read reviews of it first. Compared to needle nosed pliers with grippy teeth for consistent placement of your wire, this gadget is perhaps not as good as the packaging makes out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted April 20, 2022 Share Posted April 20, 2022 Hi George. Well done on getting it assembled and well done with the PE too! It all looks very good. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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