IDF M51 Sherman.........rusty butt

[ClayK.]

Lookin' good dude!

If you give me some dimensions I can machine a new barrel without the muzzle brake for you.

[spud]

Very nice start Rob and pics say a 1000 words so more pics less talk

[bigjohn]

lol spud

[406 Silverado]

ok Spud, pics a bit later my friend.

Clay, thanks bro but the barrel is done.

Dan the wheels and other parts not used belong to the customer and will be sent back to him when I'm done. Sorry bro.

Removing the rubber sections from the return rollers took a bit longer that I thought, especially the smaller ones. Once they are done I'll get pics up. I'm also studying the kit and ref pics to plan what will and still needs to be done. Although the kit is an M51 , it's not the same as the ref pic tank so changes, or mods have to be made.
Also Tamiya has forgotten some details or simplified others.....like the handles on the hatches...molded as a solid piece.

I'll get a good update up today, this afternoon.

[zlikovac]

Hey Bro, dont forget to make new video eh???

[406 Silverado]

Hey Z, how you doing bro. yeah that with the vid isn't working out well. We'll see.

[spud]

sweet rob, was looking at pics of this last night and the new T-55 and i want both... ;D thats a good thing right???

[406 Silverado]

Sorry, no real update today. I was still working on the rollers and idlers today as well as the boggies. Hope to update in the next day or two.

[406 Silverado]

Spud go for it bro, they are both nice kits.

[406 Silverado]

Not for some time Chris. After this is built I'll get the primer and base rust on her, but then I have to get back to some of mine, like the T-62. Off to the club in a bit.

[406 Silverado]

With my back probs I don't move fast anymore Steve ;D

Trust me this won't see paint for some time. I'll get the T-62 done and will prime the two models in one sitting.

The rubber on the tracks will need some attention as well.....so you see there is a lot to do on this wreck....would love to slap paint on it right now ;D

Chris I can't keep up with you lately bro. Your knocking them out....what three or four a month ;D

[noname]

I hear ya with the back problems. Makes life difficult at times. Sometimes sitting at my little desk just plane hurts. If you have the same problem, try doing what I do sometimes. Sit on the sofa with your model box on your lap and pic away. I don't paint that way of course but it is very sufficient for cleaning parts off trees. I even use that Testors non toxic glue (blue tube) to glue pieces together. More comfy that way.

[406 Silverado]

Actually the stool I use at the bench keeps my back straight and hurts less than this chair at my desk. I usually do short sessions and then move around and come back later. I will also stand at the bench when doing parts cleanup and that helps too.

I'll try to get some pics up today of what's been done.

[406 Silverado]

Now for the long awaited update, sorry gents.

Lets start with the barrel. Since the color ref pic shows the muzzle brake removed I had to come up with a way of replicating the threaded end. So after thinking about it for a bit, I did what I had done a few years back. I found a nut with the closest inside diameter I could find. Using styrene tube I slowly twisted the tube into the nut. When you remove the tube the thread impression will be on the tube since it is a softer material. A finer thread would have been better but I didn't feel like driving to Homedepot to buy a nut that was close to what I needed.
I think it's close enough and after the paint is on will look ok.





The barrel was inserted about 5/8" more than the normal position to replicate the fully recoiled gun.



Next we have the return roller, here the larger one. One has the rubber on and the other will be burnt off.



So now onto a setback that I had which delayed this update. I am using the Dragon wheels which have separate rims and rubber. The problem as mentioned already is that the axles are to short and a smaller diameter than the Tammy ones. So to fix this I had to cut off the axles and drill larger holes. The new axles were made from styrene rod and glued into the suspension.
So now the Dragon wheels will mount on the new larger axles. the forward most wheels will retain the rubber as these were not burnt off in the fire. I glued these on and left all the other burnt wheels loose, and they will be glued in position after the painting. The suspension parts are only tacked on with a small amount of glue. These will be painted off the hull for easy access in painting the lower hull.



Here is a quick mock up of the model so far. Now I can start adding the scratch bits and small kit parts. I'll try to get the turret done today and some of the hull.



Stay tuned, more to come.

[bigjohn]

Nice update Boss! making some good progress. Your building it a lot faster than I could. lol

[406 Silverado]

Thanks John. yeah the wheels set me back a bit. I still have the T-62 I need to get back too....and the KV....and the JT.....and and and ...LOL

Doing some small stuff right now that will dress the ol'gal right up. Next up date she'll be lookin purty.

[spud]

Very nice idea with the Barrel rob and Killer update.

[406 Silverado]

Thanks Spud, having fun now that that part is over. nice signature bro

[406 Silverado]

Hey Steve, sorry I didn't make it today.....long night at the club and very late in bed ...lol

yeah you have the perfect benches to stand at bro, and the room too. I stand and kneel with one leg on the seat to relieve the weight or the back hurts more. Been a killer week as far as the back and knees go.

[406 Silverado]

Thanks Dicky. Working with the white stuff right now....the fun stuff eh. Will have another update today of the turret. The dust cover on the ref tank is missing so the bolt on stuff has to be added. Gonna give it a go with styrene rod instead of wire in that area.

[TRM]

Brilliant Boss!! Love the wheels!! Missing muzzle is crazy dude!!! Question.....did you put the nut back onto your wife's chair?? Might wanna get to that!! ;D

[406 Silverado]

damn, knew I forgot something.........always a wise......in the crowd eh. LOL Thanks bro. Update coming very soon.

[spud]

lol thanks Rob was bored today so i taught ild get creative with photoshop. glad ya like it

[406 Silverado]

Good to go Spud.

Ok fellas last update for today. Since the dust canvas is off the tank, scavanged after the tank burned, I had to give it a go with some scratch work. Lots of fiddly bits , but fun to do, and kill a couple of hours ;D ;D








I also did some detailing to the rear hatches. Tammy has molded ALL handles as a solid block on all the hatches so these will get new copper wire handles. I also added the reversed handles that were welded to the bolts that keep the two doors secure.



Still LOTS to do on this one. I'll get the turret done tonight I hope.

As always thanks for looking and the comments

[TRM]

Looking sharp my friend!!! Very nice touch!!! ;D

[spud]

Oh now were cooking. looking good rob

[406 Silverado]

T, spud and jackwagon, thanks fellas. Besides the spare tracks racks this area was one that needed lots of scratch time.

[noname]

Looking good so far. Adding all these extra details if one of the fun parts. Making the model atypical that is. Then of course there is the paint and weather stage. I know how you hate that. What a chore eh?

[406 Silverado]

Thanks bud. Yeah it's all worth it in the end. Painting and weathering yeah that sucks eh.LOL

[406 Silverado]

Just have the smoke discharger things on the turret sides to scratch and the turret is done. That's it for me today, and won't get much bench time tomorrow. bummer, I was on a roll.