A couple of shelf queen Shermans

[rbaer]

I started feeling bad about these two, both 90% done but I stopped short, I guess because some other shiny object caught my eye. Anyway, since I was painting a weathering the AMX-13 and these two were both painted, I played with them too. The Easy Eight is the Tamiya kit but the turret is back-dated using Dragon parts. I'd have to dig up my Sherman book to be more specific, but there's a pic of one of these in it that I tried to build. It's the first production T-23 turret on one of the first -E8's in Europe. I'll dig it up later. The tracks are off eBay, pretty good actually except for solid guide horns, but they came with pre-cut brass pins and I had both runs assembled in about 45 minutes. Sandbags are Value Gear, stowage on the rear is a bunch of junk covered with Aves tarps.
The other one, an M43/105 HVSS, is from Dragon, Academy and Tamiya parts, I think. I was building it back when John Hale's "Sherman Shop" board was going. It was also from a pic, but the tracks (Dragon DS) dried up a fell apart before I finished it so it was shelved. Having an extra set of tracks from the Tamiya Easy Eight handy, I went ahead on it too. They're not the right type but I can live with it if it means finishing something. The stowage on it so far is from Aves putty, much more to go. I have no idea where the fig came from, I bought it at a show with no box. It's resin and had LOTS of air bubbles.
Anyway, pics as they both are right now:
IMG_4153 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4154 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4155 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4156 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I just thought I should prove I can build other stuff too, and I've been in Sherman withdrawal for a while now.

[kyledehart5]

Well those already look very nice

[deafpanzer]

Sweet! It has been a while to see a Sherman build here. Pulling my chair over here!

[stikpusher]

Oh man, I don't know what else you have planned for these, as they both look ready to put on a display shelf now. Move out and get 'em done!

[Green KreationZ]

I agree, they look great as is.

[406 Silverado]

These are both looking good and I'm glad that you've decided to move forward on them. I always get a kick out of what you do with these in regard to kitbashing Russ. Lookin' good brutha.

[handiabled]

I look forward to seeing what improvements you add to these two, they honestly look great as is

[Mike]

Yeah, I very much look forward to seeing what you do with these too. I've got many shelf queens too lol.

What's the plan, Russ?

[brandonk]

I agree with what has already been said. If you are anything like me when you look at older builds you always see room for improvements. I look forward to seeing what you do here. Makes me want to pull one of mine off the shelf and give it a facelift.

[rbaer]

Plans... Hmmm. Well, the -E8 is getting two figs and the rest of the turret bits, maybe an air ID panel and will go to a show about 10 days from now. I'm even thinking of doing a simple base and using some Tamiya infantry guys with it, or an autobahn section, haven't decided yet The 105 will also go on a base I made a long time ago, once the stowage is finished and other small bits on. It's very lightly weathered and I want to put it on a road in a German town, maybe with some Dragon tank riders perched on it. I have the figures in the stash, but since I closed the loader's hatch, I'm kind of waffling.
Finishing these up has kind of reignited the Sherman flame so I'm thinking of doing a couple more. I have a butt-load of Shermans in the stash, kind of like an alcoholic having a bottle stashed in all the places they frequent. It makes me happy.

[406 Silverado]

Jan 11, 2024 15:31:51 GMT -5 rbaer said:

Plans... Hmmm. Well, the -E8 is getting two figs and the rest of the turret bits, maybe an air ID panel and will go to a show about 10 days from now. I'm even thinking of doing a simple base and using some Tamiya infantry guys with it, or an autobahn section, haven't decided yet The 105 will also go on a base I made a long time ago, once the stowage is finished and other small bits on. It's very lightly weathered and I want to put it on a road in a German town, maybe with some Dragon tank riders perched on it. I have the figures in the stash, but since I closed the loader's hatch, I'm kind of waffling.
Finishing these up has kind of reignited the Sherman flame so I'm thinking of doing a couple more. I have a butt-load of Shermans in the stash, kind of like an alcoholic having a bottle stashed in all the places they frequent. It makes me happy.

  First off, where's the show at? 

The bottle stashed in all the places they frequent......couldn't stop laughing at that one!! LOL!! 

[stikpusher]

Jan 11, 2024 15:31:51 GMT -5 rbaer said:

 I have a butt-load of Shermans in the stash, kind of like an alcoholic having a bottle stashed in all the places they frequent. It makes me happy.

[rbaer]

IMG_4159 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
That's about 2/3 of the Sherman inventory, not counting several boxes of parts from which I could probably build three or four more complete models.
The pic below is "parts", maybe enough there for a couple whole models, and below that the started Shermans that for some reason I parked.
IMG_4161 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4162 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I also have three (?) complete resin conversions in there, two from Formations and one unknown that are awaiting my attention or re-sale.
Joe, I'm heading to College Station for Winterblitz, an all-armor event at the Museum of the American GI. It's a hoot, only about 90 minutes away from me. My first trip was last year and it was well worth it. The raffle is a gas all by itself. Lots of info on the website.
Edit: I just read my own post and I may have a problem. Not pictured are another three dozen or so boxes, mostly full kits. I've heard it said "Never count your stash" and I see why. Given that I complete four or five models a year, average, and that I'm 67, you can see the problem.

[george]

Wow! That's awesome Sherman's pile, love it.

[stikpusher]

Are you partaking in the “Sermania GB” over on Armorama? 🤔

Nice Sherman stash by the way… 😉

[rbaer]

I haven't done a GB in several years, but I'm in a constant state of Shermania .... It seems like as soon as I start a GB I shelve the model. I have no idea why, but it does seem to happen a lot. I even do it in "Shelf Queen" GBs.

[rbaer]

I'm gonna pat myself on the back: I finished two models by (very) late Friday night, this being one of them:
IMG_4178 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4177 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_4176 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
What's next Russ?
I dunno, look over there.
IMG_4179 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[stikpusher]

Looking good Russ! All ready for inspection!

[kyledehart5]

Hey, nice work Russ! That’s a heck of a way to start the year. Great looking build.

[deafpanzer]

Looking great! I love the dust and dirt build ups around the edges especially the sand bags!

[lyle]

I do like Sherman’s. Sort of the DC-3 of tanks. They look great already.

[handiabled]

Great transformation! The figures add a lot to this one

[406 Silverado]

That looks VERY good Russ! You've really got an eye for detailing on these armor builds of yours with all the weathering and items that you pack onto each one of these. Great show buddy.

[rbaer]

Thanks all!
I've decided to add a fig or two, where possible, to all my completed builds as well as present and future. I think it adds a lot to scale and context. And maybe if I do enough figures I'll get good at them.

[Mike]

Jan 22, 2024 16:47:15 GMT -5 rbaer said:

Thanks all!
I've decided to add a fig or two, where possible, to all my completed builds as well as present and future. I think it adds a lot to scale and context. And maybe if I do enough figures I'll get good at them.

Bravo! I can agree with this statement. That's what I decided years ago too and I have become pretty good with my figure painting.

You'll find that just like everything else you practice, this becomes easier too.

Go, Russ, go!