Academy 1/35 M51 Sherman

[stikpusher]

This is Academy’s 1/35 M51 Sherman that I completed last year. During construction I learned that the kit combined features of mid and late service life M51’s, so I modified it to mid service life configuration, as they would have appeared during the 1973 October War in the Golan Heights. Aside from some ambiguities in the instructions sheet regarding those features, and the fit of the mantlet dust cover, it is pretty much a trouble free build. I added some Value Gear resin stowage (love that stuff!), along with other odds and ends from my spares bin, used some clear acetate for the searchlight lens that the kit does not provide, and used the kit decals and crew figures. 

[chromdome35]

Beautiful work Stik!!!

I recently saw the 1:1 version of this when I was at the US Army Armor and Cavalry collection open house. It didn't look nearly as nice as yours.

[dupes]

The muzzle brake on these makes them look so mean. Great finish!

[Leon]

Nicely done!

[stikpusher]

Chrom, Dupes, Leon, thank you one and all for your kind words.

The Israelis pretty much created the ultimate Sherman in this beast. They didn’t address the armor situation, but then again, against other then current tanks, upgrading the armor to provide the needed level of protection really wasn’t possible. However, by giving it a new powerful Cummins diesel engine and the French 105mm main gun, they markedly improved both firepower and mobility, the other two legs of the tank design triad.

[deafpanzer]

I agree with Dupes... the muzzle brake really makes a huge difference! Nice touch adding the stowage. I am weak for those... almost all of my builds have stowage too.

[stikpusher]

Tanks just don’t look quite right without stowage…. At least ones outside of any motor pool.