IDF M1, based on an M4A1 Hull. 1/35th scale. Finished.

[Terry1954]

Looking good John, and I really liked the additional mantlet and front turret detail.

 

I checked my stash for some kit supplied tracks for the M1 but all I have is a set of Tamiya rubber band for the M51 which I think are T80 type and I think you need T54 type?

 

Terry

[Bullbasket]

2 hours ago, Terry1954 said:

Looking good John, and I really liked the additional mantlet and front turret detail.

 

I checked my stash for some kit supplied tracks for the M1 but all I have is a set of Tamiya rubber band for the M51 which I think are T80 type and I think you need T54 type?

 

Terry

Many thanks for the comments Terry, and also for trying to help out with the tracks. Yes, they are the T54E1 tracks that I need. I did have an offer of some help on another forum, but that's gone quiet. There's a big model show up at the tank museum in Saumur next month, so maybe I'll be lucky and find a set.

 

John.

[badger]

Theres a set of Bronco ones on UK ebay at present. I appreciate you're wary of customs charges though.

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/315326110658?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=tfogwmfnta6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=gKCxPngSRVK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

All the best

Ben

[Jasper dog]

Looking good John, I could imagine the primer incident being a little trying...

🤞for the tracks.

 

[Bullbasket]

12 hours ago, badger said:

Theres a set of Bronco ones on UK ebay at present.

Thanks for the info Ben, but those are the ones that I already have, and they are incredibly fragile, and extremely fiddly to assemble. I'm after something a little bit easier.

Thanks again.

 

John.

[Bullbasket]

17 minutes ago, Jasper dog said:

Looking good John, I could imagine the primer incident being a little trying...

🤞for the tracks.

 

Thanks Darryl. Yes, you could say that.

 

John.

[badger]

11 minutes ago, Bullbasket said:

Thanks for the info Ben, but those are the ones that I already have, and they are incredibly fragile, and extremely fiddly to assemble. I'm after something a little bit easier.

Thanks again.

 

John.

No worries - that's worth knowing.  I have some 3d printed ones by Heavy Hobby for a M4A3 USMC build and can't really recommend those either as the connectors are too fragile and break without extreme care. There are also only 8 spares in the set so I ended up having to buy 2 sets which was rather expensive!

[badger]

Not sure if this helps but theres a set of Friuls on ebay from a chap in Germany?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285710086395?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=35hgf3cFSkW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=gKCxPngSRVK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

[Maddoxx77]

I hope all is well and diplomatic relations have been restored with the household autority.

The paintjob looks good. The grey mist on the hull could easily pass as dust and could prove a great baselayer for weathering. 

So far you are doing a cracking job with this model. 

 

[Bullbasket]

2 hours ago, badger said:

Not sure if this helps but theres a set of Friuls on ebay from a chap in Germany?

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285710086395?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=35hgf3cFSkW&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=gKCxPngSRVK&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

 

Thanks Ben. If his price had been more acceptable, I'd have been happy with a set of Fruils. But with postage it was going to cost 39 euros.

 

John.

[Bullbasket]

28 minutes ago, Maddoxx77 said:

I hope all is well and diplomatic relations have been restored with the household autority.

For the time being, yes, but sad to say, my wife now has dementia, and it isn't going well for her (or me).

Thanks for your comments. I'll probably give the side another quick blast of IDF Green and the gloss it, because there are two large white decals to go on the side, and they probably wouldn't sit well on top of the matt grey primer.

 

John.

[Stef N.]

That's a tough one John. Hopefully you get plenty of assistance and help for her and yourself. All the best. 

[Maddoxx77]

1 hour ago, Bullbasket said:

For the time being, yes, but sad to say, my wife now has dementia, and it isn't going well for her (or me).

Thanks for your comments. I'll probably give the side another quick blast of IDF Green and the gloss it, because there are two large white decals to go on the side, and they probably wouldn't sit well on top of the matt grey primer.

 

John.

That's a tough pil to swallow. I wish you and your wife all the best and i hope you get the help the both of you need in this difficult time. 

[Hamden]

 

Sorry to hear about your wife John, I can only echo what others have already said wishing you both well and that you get the help you both need.

 

    Take care             Roger

[Bullbasket]

2 hours ago, Stef N. said:

That's a tough one John. Hopefully you get plenty of assistance and help for her and yourself. All the best. 

 

2 hours ago, Maddoxx77 said:

That's a tough pil to swallow. I wish you and your wife all the best and i hope you get the help the both of you need in this difficult time. 

 

17 minutes ago, Hamden said:

 

Sorry to hear about your wife John, I can only echo what others have already said wishing you both well and that you get the help you both need.

 

    Take care             Roger

Thank you all for your kind words. I really do appreciate them.

 

John.

[Bullbasket]

The thing that has been holding this build up is the tracks. Most IDF VVSS tanks were fitted with T54E1 tracks, and my first thought was to get a set from Panda Plastics, but as most of you know, they've shut down. So after trying a couple of other track makers with no success, I thought that I'd see if there are any Sherman kits with the required tracks. All the ones that I could find that fit the bill, were either out of stock or they were quoting silly prices (£70 for an old Dragon kit???). But I did find one in the end, namely the M4A3 76mm from Zvezda. Now I don't know what these are like as I've never handled one of Zvezda's kits before, but it's on it's way to me now for the princely sum of 42 euros, including P&P.

So in the meantime, the decals. For this build, I used a Star Decals sheet.

 

 

 

 

I've never had any problems with these in the past, but the ones on the side of the turret just wouldn't lay flat, and they didn't react to decal setting agents. So they were allowed to dry (24 hours), and then I had a go at scraping the decals. All of the patches that resulted were touched in with some white acrylic paint.

Next up is to assemble the tracks. Back later.

 

John.

[Kingsman]

The Zvezda tracks are not half bad.  I wish they did them separately.  And the entire kit only costs about the same as many brands of after-market tracks, giving you lots of useful spare parts.  Having built their A3 and having both A2s still to build I think you might be more impressed than you expect with the kit.

 

I haven't been watching this for a while, which is a shame as I had several spare Masterclub and Friul track sets including T54E1s which all went on eBay.

 

Returning to the turret lower edge from about page 3, there were foundry shape variations.  Union Steel turrets supplied to PSC for 76mm A1s tended to have a rounded lower edge with an undercut to the turret ring.  At least some turrets supplied to Chrysler for 76mm A3s did have the sharp 90 degree edge with step undercut that you have disguised.  Turrets supplied to Fisher for 76mm A2s had an angled machined lower edge giving a sharp line a few inches above the lower edge.  With post-war conversions and rebuilds this consistency was broken.

[Bullbasket]

2 hours ago, Kingsman said:

The Zvezda tracks are not half bad.  I wish they did them separately.  And the entire kit only costs about the same as many brands of after-market tracks, giving you lots of useful spare parts.  Having built their A3 and having both A2s still to build I think you might be more impressed than you expect with the kit.

 

I haven't been watching this for a while, which is a shame as I had several spare Masterclub and Friul track sets including T54E1s which all went on eBay.

 

Returning to the turret lower edge from about page 3, there were foundry shape variations.  Union Steel turrets supplied to PSC for 76mm A1s tended to have a rounded lower edge with an undercut to the turret ring.  At least some turrets supplied to Chrysler for 76mm A3s did have the sharp 90 degree edge with step undercut that you have disguised.  Turrets supplied to Fisher for 76mm A2s had an angled machined lower edge giving a sharp line a few inches above the lower edge.  With post-war conversions and rebuilds this consistency was broken.

Coincidently, I was having a look at them this afternoon and making a start on assembling them, and I have to agree. I'm impressed with them. I'm also impressed with the kit itself. If I come across a suitable one that uses rubber chevron, then I'm ready to go.

Yes it's a shame about the T54E1 tracks. I'd have had them off of you as I have at least two M50's lined up (and maybe more).

 

John.

[Kingsman]

10 minutes ago, Bullbasket said:

Yes it's a shame about the T54E1 tracks. I'd have had them off of you as I have at least two M50's lined up (and maybe more).

My apologies.  I didn't know you needed them.  Must pay more attention......

 

Zvezda have made a good job of their Shermans which seem to sail under the radar.  They have some unadulterated ones at Kubinka for reference.  Although, there are some errors on the 75mm A2 turret.  The early/late glacis idea is unique and the 76mm turret construction is interesting.  Yes joins, but it needs texturing anyway.  Nice tracks, optional wheels and cheap to boot.  If they sort out the turret errors thay have the parts for a 75mm A3.  The Soviets had some small-hatch A2s, including some with DV and M3 bogies.  I'd like to see them tackle a small hatch 75, which would open up Commonwealth possibilities.

[Stef N.]

John, I saw this and thought of your predicament with the tracks. Don't know when or how much.

 

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german/gecko16gm0014previewbg_1.html

[Bullbasket]

16 hours ago, Stef N. said:

John, I saw this and thought of your predicament with the tracks. Don't know when or how much.

 

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german/gecko16gm0014previewbg_1.html

Thanks for that heads up Stef. They look very good. My only question is are the duckbills separate. I wouldn't want to try and cut them off. So far, the tracks in the Zvesda kit are working out well. I've got a good set of tracks, and I now have a spare Sherman.

 

John.

[PatrikF]

Gecko tracks are the same that they used in their RAM kit. Gecko shared some test shots on their Facebook recently and duckbills are separate part (which would be insane to glue them and keep them straight IMHO) 

It’s almost like bronco track, just a bit simpler and only made with 4 pieces. I might give them a try if the price is fair for my South African AD builds. 
Tracks can be seen here https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2J1ig9FpthQR96DT/?mibextid=WC7FNe

[Bullbasket]

1 hour ago, PatrikF said:

duckbills are separate part

That's a good thing if you want them separate, not so good if you want to install them. I'm a little concerned when you say they are like Bronco's track, because they are an absolute nightmare.

 

John.

[PatrikF]

Gecko should be sisters company of Bronco so. I would need to check some build review of their RAM kit and see how these goes together. In the meantime I made myself a 3D model of T54E1 tracks and I’ll see if I’m going to be able to print them by myself in acceptable quality.

And something I forget to post previously. I’m watching this build because it provides great tips for my future builds. You’re sharing lovely work with us 👍

[Bullbasket]

1 hour ago, PatrikF said:

Gecko should be sisters company of Bronco so. I would need to check some build review of their RAM kit and see how these goes together. In the meantime I made myself a 3D model of T54E1 tracks and I’ll see if I’m going to be able to print them by myself in acceptable quality.

And something I forget to post previously. I’m watching this build because it provides great tips for my future builds. You’re sharing lovely work with us 👍

Thanks very much Patrik for those very kind words. I hope to have an update soon.

Let us know if you find out any more on the Gecko tracks. It's mainly T54E1 tracks that I'm interested in as that's what the majority of IDF VVSS M1 Shermans had.

 

John.