Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432 
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Nov 6, 2015 15:31:37 GMT -5
Started this build last night.  I've been wanting to build a French 2nd Armoured Division Sherman since I've returned to the hobby. Last month in the hospital I got through Philippe Leclerc's biography (Good read) and I am VERY much in the zone for this build right now. Plus it's been about 3yrs since I've built a Sherman and that just won't do. Cheers Jeff |
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Post by bullardino on Nov 6, 2015 15:35:28 GMT -5
Count me in  |
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Post by Leon on Nov 6, 2015 17:09:49 GMT -5
Count me in Jeff! It's been about 30+ years since I built a Sherman.  |
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Post by wbill76 on Nov 6, 2015 21:41:06 GMT -5
Sounds like fun! Pulling up a chair.
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Post by dierk on Nov 7, 2015 12:21:33 GMT -5
NIIICE!
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Post by armorguy on Nov 8, 2015 5:14:17 GMT -5
Mmm...this thread will make me want to build one too, it's over 12 years ago I built my first and only one.
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Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Nov 9, 2015 11:26:35 GMT -5
Thanks for the encouragement. It seems like with Sherman's people are either "Meh one is enough" or "Well they made about 50,000 Sherman's so the 40 M4 kits in my stash is entirely reasonable.'. Made some progress the last couple days.  From here on out I don't know if I'll build any future Sherman's that aren't a Tasca/Asuka kit. Not a huge fan of the foam rubber bogie inserts, but otherwise no complaints. The lower tub is an 8 piece (at least) assembly versus the 1 piece molding you get from DML/Tamiya kits and despite all the potential for misalignment or gaps it still comes together nicer. I'm planning on placing the kit on a small base, but sort of spitballing ideas. Thanks for looking. Jeff |
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Post by bullardino on Nov 9, 2015 11:29:26 GMT -5
Nice start, Jeff. BTW I'm more of the stash kind  I have two M4A3(76)W, one froma Tasca and one from Dragon and several other variants |
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Post by wbill76 on Nov 9, 2015 13:09:44 GMT -5
Tasca/Asuka are considered by many to be the 'gold standard' for Shermans so can't be too surprised that you would be spoiled by their approach/design! Off and running! |
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Post by deafpanzer on Nov 9, 2015 16:17:22 GMT -5
Great start! Have few Tasca kits for Sherman but I haven't built them so I am definitely interested in following your build. Great start my friend!
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Post by dierk on Nov 10, 2015 5:19:03 GMT -5
If I were to ever build another Sherman it would be an Asuka kit. Watching with interest!
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Post by Leon on Nov 10, 2015 5:45:50 GMT -5
Nice start on the Sherman Jeff! I may have to put this one on my wish list.  |
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Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Nov 19, 2015 11:22:35 GMT -5
Slowly making progress. Got the lower hull wrapped up and hope to make a start on the turret tonight. (just noticed I missed a gas cap)  Loved the build and quality with a few very minor complaints. - Driver and co-driver hatches didn't come with exterior handles, neither does the commanders cuppola. I had to make them out of wire. It's a shame as the plastic ones are very nice.
- Again the M4A2 came with a plastic form to help shape the P/E headlight and taillight guards. I ended up using sanded down plastic guards, but still nice to have.
- No interior at all. I think the turret might look awfully bare with the hatch open. I'll see how things look with a figure.
Again VERY minor complaints, Love the kit. I was playing around with stowage a bit and wondered if I could get an opinion? A/  B/  Thanks for looking. Jeff |
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Post by wbill76 on Nov 19, 2015 13:12:00 GMT -5
I'd go with the first stowage option myself Jeff. Have to remember that those grates on the rear deck were there to feed air to the engine, so if they were blocked up too much, the engine could overheat. That and the first option has a more symmetrical/cleaner look to it from an aesthetic perspective IMHO. |
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Post by deafpanzer on Nov 19, 2015 13:44:52 GMT -5
Me too I am with Bill... looking good!
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Post by Leon on Nov 19, 2015 16:17:43 GMT -5
I have to go with the 1st option also Jeff! |
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Post by bullardino on Nov 19, 2015 17:06:37 GMT -5
I think Bill's right. I wouldn't go for a load that covers the grille. I've seen M4A3 with some stowage on the sides of the grille. If I were you, I'd put the larger one on the back and the longer and leaner one on the left of the grille. Oh, great job, keep up |
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Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Nov 19, 2015 22:31:30 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I was a little worried that the 2nd option was too much from an overheating perspective glad I got a 2nd (through 5th) opinion.
Jeff
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Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Nov 20, 2015 23:23:40 GMT -5
Got the basics of the turret together and hit it with some Mr. Surfacer 500.  I have to knock it back a bit but I'm good with it. I should probably do this to the transmission housing when I fix that one seam up front. Times sure have changed. 10 yrs ago I would have been out on a Friday night , not at my kitchen table trying avoid getting loaded on Mr. Surfacer fumes. Take care Jeff |
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Post by bullardino on Nov 21, 2015 2:07:03 GMT -5
Great looking texture, it reminds me of the original quite closely:  |
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Post by dierk on Nov 21, 2015 4:08:26 GMT -5
Coming together nicely! Well, 10 years ago you had to go out, as the option of getting wasted on Mr. Surfacer fumes didn't exist Or has it been around for that long? |
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Post by Leon on Nov 21, 2015 9:27:13 GMT -5
Turret is looking good Jeff! I like it. |
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Post by deafpanzer on Nov 22, 2015 11:14:16 GMT -5
Brilliant work on the turret surface!!!
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Post by armorguy on Nov 22, 2015 11:19:12 GMT -5
Spot on texture !
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Post by wbill76 on Nov 22, 2015 20:05:19 GMT -5
That just means you've got your priorities in order now Jeff! Nice work on the turret texture. |
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Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Nov 25, 2015 0:18:48 GMT -5
Still in a great mood from the MSU/Ohio State game on Saturday. I'm also slowly Inching towards the paint booth. I need to finish the loaders hatch, a few small details and make a decision if I want to show the .50 stowed or in action.   Will probably lose the front stowage entirely since I'm not happy with it. Added a Miniart U.S tank crew figure and plan to plant it on a very small base. Possibly a farm field. No pun intended. Thanks for looking. Jeff |
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Post by TRM on Nov 25, 2015 0:44:13 GMT -5
Like the direction you are headed Jeff!! You've made some decent progress...nothing wrong with heading to the booth at all!
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Post by bullardino on Nov 25, 2015 2:09:22 GMT -5
Really nice progress Jeff
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Post by wbill76 on Nov 25, 2015 21:54:27 GMT -5
Given the relaxed pose of the figure, a stowed .50 might make more sense depending? Either way, looking good!
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Jeff the 57th
Full Member
Member since: February 2014
Posts: 432
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Post by Jeff the 57th on Dec 1, 2015 19:50:34 GMT -5
Not a lot of progress but got the primer down on the tank. An all black tank isn't that interesting, but thought I'd take a pic before I get further with the painting.  Shot part of the barrel with alclad dark aluminium. I'm going to try to replicate the recoil paint wear on the barrel that showed up on the 76mm Shermans. I'm hoping to find a little time this week to start slinging green. Trying to decide if I should give this black basing technique a shot or colour modulation. Thanks for looking. Jeff |
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I have two M4A3(76)W, one froma Tasca and one from Dragon and several other variants 
