M4A3 75W Sherman

[panzerjager.]

As all the cool kids are building one...I start this model today (Dragon 6698)
I'm not sure about the location or scheme; I like the OD/black stripes scheme; this variant entry in combat late fall of 1944; if you have some pictures of this variant with the mentioned scheme, please post it

This is the scheme I want:



I want to built it almost OOB, with some crew bags and tarps added
There is not pics yet, but I made my usual list of sources

Info & Pics
Data of M4A3 75W produced by Fisher
Varied info
US Army Models
Die-Cast Army
Strategy Planet

Models
Review by Frerij Noordhuis

I like this great page from Paul Budzik about the construction of various Dragon Shermans.

WalkArounds
Picasa album with various Shermans in Patton Museum

M4A3 75W at Phalsbourg, France

M4A3 75W at El Monte, California

Books
Sherman. A History of American Med.Tank - Presidio Press

Wydawnictwo Militaria 13, 99 and 308

Modelling the M4 (75mm) Sherman - Osprey Modelling 35

M4 Sherman at War-1-Europa 42-45 - Concord 7001

M4 Sherman at War-2-Europa 43-45 - Concord 7036

Allied Axis 11 Wartime Sherman variants

Allied Axis 13 Sherman early and late

[deafpanzer]

Another Sherman? Why not! Please count me in... just noticed it has absolutely no markings unless they were covered with mud or paint by the crew?

[Deleted]

I'm looking forward to this one for sure.

I recall it was the US 7th Army that adopted the black over OD scheme. It was randomly sprayed over EVERYTHING, thus making the crew add the ID numbers and such to a spot elsewhere.

G

[bullardino]

Here I am, how can I miss a Sherman? BTW I have one on the bench too

[bigjohn]

This Sherman is credited as belonging to the 3Rd Armored Division at Cologne - Germany

[Teabone]

Big John

I have technical manuals for Sherman's but seeing you are OOB you might not need that much detail.  Ill be watching to see how it goes, I see your doing a Dragon kit, if the carpet monster grabs any small parts and you think you can adapt Tamiya parts I have a huge spares box that might have a replacement.

Bones

[wbill76]

Nice choice Dario! Ought to be a fun project for sure.

[Leon]

Count me in Dario.Been a long time since i did a Sherman.

[panzerjager.]

Thanks for your support, fellas!
Teabones, fortunately Dragon includes a lor of not to be used parts and a have a shermanholic friend that can provides some spare tracks or something, but thanks anyway!

Well, let's show some advances:

Dragon instructions doesn't mention the bolts for the skids (parts V33)



The blue arrows shows the bolts.
The green arrow shows the holes made and the copper template. Those holes must be in both sides of the bogies (the rollers can be attached on either sides)



I used a clear acrylic CD box with some 90º lines drawed with a marker to glue the bogies straitghts



Blue arrows, from left to rigth shows:
* Part B20 (blue) or B34 (black) not mentioned in instruction sheet. The mantlet will be glued to this part

* The searchlight mount; Dragon provides the search light with the mount, but I assume the light must be stowed in day time; so, I built the holder, cap and chain

* The smoke grenade mortar? I added a rod of sprue and make a hole in the center



* The cases ejection hatch area and rear of turret cleaned and textured with Tamiya putty

* Fuel caps pins replaced, chains, drain holes and copper handles added



P.E. mudguards welded, first time I can weld something without burnt my fingers!



A couple of crew someone gives me someday; of course they will be repainted



I expect to paint the tank like this one



That's all for now
Darío

[bigjohn]

Very nice progress! Yes, the search light can be taken off and stored away. Great detail work with it's mount.

[bbd468]

Nice build Dario! Im all in for this bro!

Gary

[Leon]

Looking good Dario.Count me in.

[deafpanzer]

Holy smokes! You are on roll with this... thanks for the great tip about using clear acrylic sheet to set the wheels properly. Can't wait to see next update!

[TRM]

Catching up with this....Sweet choice Dario!! Love a good Shermie build!! Off to a great start as usual!!! Keep this stuff coming Sir!!!

[Teabone]

Dario

Very nice work and not many people do the bolt thing on the skids,  The drain holes on the filler rims are not something I have seen before bot will do from now on.  Your deck details and handles really add good detail.

Bones

[bullardino]

Great progress, Dario. As usual you are perfect in both research and adding details

[multicam]

Nice work so far Dario!

[wbill76]

Good job on the detail work Dario and congrats on soldering without burns! Look forward to you bringing this one to life to match that photo.

[ogrejohn]

Very nice on the details Dario!

[multicam]

Wonderful additional details! I love the Paul Budzik webpage. I just spent half an hour skimming it. Very cool old school articles and phenomenal workmanship:)

[panzerjager.]

Thanks, guys!

I continue adding details (even when I had the intention of a OOB build )
The sandshield bracket was provided as P.E. parts, but instructions are not clear about the location; fortunately, there are good pics in the web as reference. I added a styrene reinforcement behind the bracket.



I added the front light plugs and holders, using electric wire for chains and the sheat for the holders



The siren needs to be hollowed and the wired added. The mid leg of the brushguard is too short (or perhaps was bended) so I added a little Milliput.



I built the holders of the long bar (it's the track tensioning bar?). I need a good picture of that bar to scrachtbuild it. Some tie down was added (parts are provided, but I choose to use them later in the rear stowage rack)



The side parts of the stowage rack was replaced; the provided part was too thick.
The spare track link holders are not good, so I replaced them with left over parts from Italeri M4A1; they have the wingnuts and hinges molded
I built the rear brushguards using copper sheet, making one hole in the hull for each leg and inserted the legs in the holes; then I cover the holes with Milliput.
The rear light has the wires added (not seen in pic)



Behind the spare links I added a copper strip. The rear grille has some ejection marks that need to be filled and sanded



Man, I was so happy at early stage, when I said "I will build almost OOB"

Cheers
Darío

[Tojo72]

Oh good,I have this one.I will follow with great interest.

[bbd468]

Hey Dario, Shermie's lookin great bro! Nice detail additions.

[Leon]

Excellent work Dario,really like all the extra detail your putting into this.

[Teabone]

Dario

What brand of chain are you using on the fuel covers?  Some very nice work on this build.

Bones

[wbill76]

Very nice update there Dario. Even if it's not 'true' OOB, at least that's where your heart was at the beginning!

[multicam]

Beautiful updetailing, Dario! Very nice work:)

[bullardino]

I'm quite happy I was right when I thought "Let's follow this one, he'll supredetail the shermie in a perfect way".

What a stunning job, Dario

[panzerjager.]

Thanks so much, gentlemen!
Bones: I make my own chains with copper wire, .2 mm diameter or so. I just make a loop at the middle of a ...6 cm lenght, around a fine metal rod (an insuline needle works) then twist the wire with my fingers; when I have the desired lenght I remove from the metal rod and flat the "chain" with a flat plier.

Here you can see another method: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLICWoLpDE4

Thanks to all for cooments!

Darío

[Teabone]

Dario

I could see that the chain was not the usual twisted PE chain which always dose not look quiet right and I thought you had found a new maker of a better chain. I am impressed with the way you do it and I will be trying that in the future to improve my builds.

Another great day where I learned something.

Bones