Polish Sherman v 1st Armored division Holland c.1944,Dragon

[leopardman]

Hiya Guys.
       As promised im starting once more to post a work in progress.This time im choosing a Dragon Sherman v.c Firely 1.35th model.This kit is the 3rd boxing they produced and although the models basic in places then a few applied modelling techniques pay off dividends.Well being a bit mad or deranged even i decided to use the lndividual link tracks arggghhhh!!!!!.Well lets just say they are trying!,Well i could use foul language but i wont.My method for attempting to construct these tracks was to create a couple of jigs which i got the idea from Steve Zalogas osprey books on Sherman modelling.What i will say is that i found when i clipped the pad pieces from the sprues was to leave the mould line on.Because if you remove the line when you attach the link end connectors you will find the gap i too close and the tracks will look plain awful so be warned!!!.Also use say Humbrol or Revell pro glue with the long needle applicator because when you use liquid glue with a jig well you stick the links to the jig!!!.Yes i did this!!!!.The tracks take a fair few hours to do so put the music on and model away with track insanity!!!.They can be done but hey they are fiddly guys.Im happyish with them as i was determined to use whats in the box!!!.Well the model is the 75mm armed Sherman v or m4a4 and i swapped the 75mm turret from my stash and the kit escapes me now.The Dragon kit has trenches as opposed to raised weld beads so i attended to these an hour ago!!.Case of plastic rod painted in liquid glue and let to melt slightly.Then i took a mini screwdriver and gently tried to make a better looking weld seam all over the tank.Think i might have made them a bit too proud but better then what Dragon portrays.I found a nice article in an old Military modelling magazine of a Taska/Asuka Sherman v.c by Steve Zaloga.Well what caught my eye was two small pictures of 75mm armed polish Sherman vs in Holland.So yep thats what im trying to model.These tanks had add on applique armour in the form of spare track links on the hull sides and front and one length for the turret sides.But thats further down the build as ive waffled on far too much as usual.Nice to be back among you guys again.
        Cheers from Richard

[leopardman]

[leopardman]

[TRM]

Off to a great start there Richard! Sometime tracks will beat us all into submission! I know I am going to show my lack of knowledge as it pertains to Shermans, but is the left track backward? Just curious as this would be something I would do simply for discussion...or to irritate some of those fanatics we all seem to have run across! Either case...looking good my friend....keep it going!

[chromdome35]

Jan 4, 2017 13:05:27 GMT -5 TRM said:

Off to a great start there Richard! Sometime tracks will beat us all into submission! I know I am going to show my lack of knowledge as it pertains to Shermans, but is the left track backward? Just curious as this would be something I would do simply for discussion...or to irritate some of those fanatics we all seem to have run across! Either case...looking good my friend....keep it going!

I could swear that I read somewhere that M4's with their tracks reversed did occasionally happen. It would make a great diorama to have the tank commander pointing at the tracks and the crew standing there with their hands in their pockets and heads down.

[TRM]

Anything is most definitely possible....and that would be an excellent diorama.

[Leon]

Off to a good start Richard!

[leopardman]

Thank you Chaps for your comments.More building tommorow a.m.Try and get some tools on the rear deck and start headlight guards etc.Will use the excellent Formations resin pioneer tools.
Cheers Fellas.
Richard

[deafpanzer]

Great start... the tracks look good to me! Looking forward to more updates!

[sturmbird]

Jan 4, 2017 13:50:26 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Jan 4, 2017 13:05:27 GMT -5 TRM said:

Off to a great start there Richard! Sometime tracks will beat us all into submission! I know I am going to show my lack of knowledge as it pertains to Shermans, but is the left track backward? Just curious as this would be something I would do simply for discussion...or to irritate some of those fanatics we all seem to have run across! Either case...looking good my friend....keep it going!

I could swear that I read somewhere that M4's with their tracks reversed did occasionally happen. It would make a great diorama to have the tank commander pointing at the tracks and the crew standing there with their hands in their pockets and heads down.

somewhere I have a photo of an M26 in Korea with one track on backwards. Asked Bob Dillon about this and he said it was easy to do, but a wild ride! Seems that the tank won't go strait, and your constantly correcting. Plus it also doesn't steer right. Best one I ever saw was an M26 with two different tracks on it. Bob didn't believe me till he saw the photo!
gary

P.S. the Sherman track is known as a "live track", So there will be little if any sag in them.
glt

[leopardman]

Many thanks for your comments chaps.The tracks arent the best or easiest and id be insane to do them again.Sure were tricky to align and im glad i made them without binning the beast.
cheers fromRichard

[chromdome35]

Jan 4, 2017 16:13:29 GMT -5 leopardman said:

Many thanks for your comments chaps.The tracks arent the best or easiest and id be insane to do them again.Sure were tricky to align and im glad i made them without binning the beast.
cheers fromRichard

I sure wouldn't worry about it...only guys like us will ever notice.

[TRM]

Thanks Gary! Information like that is enough for me to open the door to doing it!! LOL Slap that glue around Richard!!

[leopardman]

Hi Guys.
Well i kept looking at the indy tracks on my sherman v and wasnt happy.A friend at our club is a Shermaholic and he said the odd link might go on back to front.So with a fair ammount of hesitation and sweating i just managed to getbthe idler and sprocket off!.The track ends came off rather well so i should be able to assemble a few more links and put them on correctly Doh!!!.Thankfully the top run isnt visible.Will do some more on the beast next week.
Cheers from Richard.

[leopardman]

Hi Guys.
Bit more progress today on my Sherman v Polish armoured.Spent 3 hours faffing around with the tracks and track applique armour.Managed to turn the tracks round the correct way at the front of the Sherman but no chance with the rear as i used Cyano in places.Didnt want to make a real mess breaking idlers etc so will have to live with my error this time.Turret was put together and have been making good the join between the two halves and making a new weld seam at the bottom rear of the turret.Be glad when i have finished the applique armour as they are a pain to align.In the article i have the armour on the turret was mounted in a small horizontal run but im going to a bit different.Im going to mount them in links of 4 vertically like some Firefly units used.Might be not totally correct so put it down to artstic license.Must remember to make the tow rope next before loading her up with traps and nets etc.Thanks for listening.
Richard.

[leopardman]

Another shot of my progress.

[Leon]

Nice progress Richard! Looking really good!

[joelsmith]

Keep it up. Looking forward to see some paint on the Shermanski, Joel.

[deafpanzer]

Looking good!!!

[leopardman]

Thanks Leon and Joel for dropping by.Still a fair way to go with my Sherman.Still got the applique to finish on right side and turret.Then ive got the turret fittings to sort out then stowage all over her.I paint my kits in our.beach hut so have to.wait to get warmer weather or get the heater out.Ive got another m4 to paint.Have a french m4a2 to paint arghhhh.
Richard