OutcastJoel Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Hello Folks, I took part in the Plastic Posse Podcast Sherman group build and decided to make a MkII Crab. Unfortunately nobody actually makes a kit and although the tank museum at Bovington has a similar mk1 (which I was able to photograph just before Christmas) there are far too many differences to make the use of those references. Fortunetely a friend in Canada was able to come to the rescue with a huge battery of photos of the MkII at CFB Borden. The base tank was a Dragon Firefly chassis with a turret rescued from another kit to make a normal Sherman V and then the fun began! I then designed and 3D printed the flail conversion myself taking a total of several hundred hours... I struggled to find good photos of Crab MkII tanks in service so the scheme is actually one nicked from a Mk I crab provided on a Star Decal sheet. Unfortunately my packaging and UPS' handling ensured that the tank got trashed en route to the USA for the IPMA nationals show (although I don't think anyone has had the heart to bin it yet). To add a little more fun, this was my first attempt at painting soft stowage in 1/35 and my first ever attempt at a canvas mantlet cover (printer paper and VMS paper shaper). I am fairly certain that this is my best work yet although the mad rush at the end to get it finished and boxed up means the paint and weathering were maybe a little less refined than they could have been. 292385653_10166927759730434_5601588862797861444_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_062131281 by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_062049642.MP by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_062029513 by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_062029513 by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_062024768.MP by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_061829924 by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_061805799 by OutcastJoel, on Flickr PXL_20220709_061729523.MP by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292218581_10166927760725434_3085573304839167970_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292279476_10166927757105434_8640461174863932188_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292389604_10166927760335434_4988006458558435278_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292392549_10166927759965434_4211971379036229229_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292412937_10166927759150434_7526341040628086932_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292442719_10166927760195434_778639368763332413_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292463347_10166927758990434_6503933799737757476_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292513001_10166927760060434_6057402072733983774_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292528358_10166927759190434_4879174131635045360_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292535356_10166927760455434_6538075721951486769_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292580530_10166927760150434_6751405730052163197_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 292593186_10166927759400434_5734868220405035267_n by OutcastJoel, on Flickr 49 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 That looks a stunna to my eye, such a lot of detail & all very convincing. 👍 Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stef N. Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 That is superb. The detailing is high quality and will take a few looks to take it all in. Well done.👏👍 (Really hope it hasn't been binned and you can rebuild what has been broken.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutcastJoel Posted August 7, 2022 Author Share Posted August 7, 2022 17 minutes ago, Stef N. said: That is superb. The detailing is high quality and will take a few looks to take it all in. Well done.👏👍 (Really hope it hasn't been binned and you can rebuild what has been broken.) Thank you! Although, I think I can do better and I have the Rye-Field Firefly which would make a better starting point so even if it has then I am not too sad ☺️ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonL Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Outstanding! Such detail. Sorry to hear it may have come to a sad end 😞 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yg Models Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 cool flail and cute duck decal. 🥰 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve27752 Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 My favourite tank done in a different way. Love it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartH Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 Fantastic model. Excellent weathering and I love the range of textures you've achieved....looks very realistic 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carius Posted August 7, 2022 Share Posted August 7, 2022 You have done a remarkable job indeed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasper dog Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Superb modelling of the flail, excellent build, paint and weathering. Shame it never made it to NATs for the PPP GB, I've been following the triple P and would have loved to have gone. I can imagine it wouldn't have been the easiest kit to pack and send overseas. Brilliant Darryl 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Awesome build! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willettsfamily-treasure Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Amazing 3D work and paint job! Thank you for the recommendation of what Sheraman model to start with. Are your 3D Print files available anywhere? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keeff Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 Superb work in every way and an unusual subject ..... the stowage and mantlet cover look great 👍 Keith 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
providence Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 Great work, very original. Your weathering is very subtle and convincing. Regards Providence Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milan Mynar Posted December 24, 2023 Share Posted December 24, 2023 Excellent work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remus389 Posted January 2 Share Posted January 2 The effort put into this interesting model was well worth it! 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Juliet Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dnl42 Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 That's most excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsman Posted January 3 Share Posted January 3 The Crab gear is really good. I had a Crab I conversion but was too chicken to try to make it.......... But if I may, the turret texture is far too rough for a 75mm turret (although 76mm turrets were ropier) as are the cut plate edges. And you've left the Firefly-specific barrel cleaning staves in place on the left of the engine deck. Also the sprocket rings are the wrong type for an M4A4, but might have been replaced of course. Sorry to nit-pick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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