Tamiya (old) M4 Sherman 1:35

[Model Mate]

Hi everyone. I’ve been lurking over in the figures section for a while, building up the where-with-all to get seriously stuck into my scratchbuilt Italian tank crew, but as a(nother) diversion I cracked on with a quick Tamiya old-school build. Sherman aficionado’s please look away – it’s OOB and uses the parts I liked the look of best from the selection provided rather than those that might be most correct.

 

I drilled out the MG barrels, replaced a few handles with wire and filled up the rather obvious sponson voids, but other than that, it’s pretty much as Tamiya intended back in the 80’s/90’s.

 

The destructions indicated that “Hurricane” should have sand shields fitted and be painted OD plus a rather dark red-brown. Looking at some images online though, convinced me that the shields should go and that the brown should be a lighter mid-earth tone, so that’s what I went with. In a flight of fancy, I imagined that the crew would have been commanded to add the brown in the field, and would have been unlikely to have spraying equipment, or a budding Michaelangelo among their number, so I replicated crude, brush applied brown paint using a scale 6 inch brush, badly applied. VERY tricky for a true artiste like myself to replicate of course, but sacrifices have to be made….

 

I supplemented the kit stowage with a couple of tissue paper/PVA tarps and a bit of embroidery thread.

 

I decided to go a bit thicker than usual with the mud, so applied a mix of tile grout, finely crushed cat litter, tea leaves, “earth” pastel powder, a little static grass and diluted PVA. I then went round with my more usual pastel dust and white spirit thin mud on top.

 

Another quick (although pretty glacial by Maddoxx standards) and thoroughly enjoyable old-school Tamiya build. Right… where’s the FIMO? I really must get on with those Italians…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IanC]

For me, this is more 'middle school' Tamiya.😄 A terrific build, well photographed and I love the street backdrop.

 

I actually have this kit on the go at the moment, and hope to achieve something as good.

[Stef N.]

Loads of lovely details and a very well painted Sherman. I agree that the photos are great too. Top work.

[Andy H]

I have neither slide rule or protractor to hand, but...looks like a Sherman to me. 😁

 

Nice job on the old girl; the muddy derrière and stowage particularly effective. Nice one! 😎👍

[Keeff]

Definately looks like a Sherman!  Great job ... 👏 

 

Keith 😁 

[Hairtrigger]

Brilliant...  Dio excellent.   Remember doing that kit in the 80's still got it on my shelf.

[Bullbasket]

Lovely build MM. Old doesn't mean no good. OK, it's got one or two faults, but it's still a good basis for an excellent model, and that's what you've made. The weathering is first class.

 

John.

[Milan Mynar]

Nice built model.

[Steve27752]

Now that’s a very nice Sherman.

[Nenad Ilijic]

Brilliant model. Great details.