discussion Tamiya 1/35 M4A3 Sherman

[A_J_Rimmer]

So having overcome a saggy track issue, along with replacing the decal that fell to bits - this is where I am now.

I need to weather the top of the hull, paint and attach the stoawage, and paint the crew... So not too much then :smiling: The crew should be fun as I've not painted these types of figures before.

Overall though I'm pretty pleased with it - even if I did make one slight error with one of the tracks.

Cheers!

 

[Lee Drennen]

Very nice clean build AJ.

 

[Guest]

Looking pretty good. Since these are soft-plastic tracks, you can just take it off again, probably best done by pulling off the drive sprocket or idler wheel with the track around it, and then put it back on the right way round.

You also forgot to paint the track-adjusting wrench on the engine deck and the tanker’s bar, that’s the long crowbar along the right edge of the hull, outboard of the pickaxe handle. The square cross-section bit at the back is the socket it fits into, and so is part of the tank, but at the front end the square bit is part of the tool. All but the tip of it would be bare steel (the tip is held in another little socket).

 

[adt70hk]

Looking very good. A nice clean build.

ATB.

Andrew

 

[scottie3158]

Arnold all looking most splendid mate.

 

[Waspie]

Very nice looking battle wagon Arnold.

 

[Guest]

Arnold, take a breath, nothing wrong with your build.
One comment - give the tools metal areas a rub with some lead powder - take an old brush and cut it down to about 5mm, then sand a lead pencil onto some wet n dry paper to get the powder, dip the brush in and gently rub over the metal areas, that will tone down the silver...

 

[Waspie]

Arnold, take a breath, nothing wrong with your build.
One comment - give the tools metal areas a rub with some lead powder - take an old brush and cut it down to about 5mm, then sand a lead pencil onto some wet n dry paper to get the powder, dip the brush in and gently rub over the metal areas, that will tone down the silver...

I’ve leaned something new and haven’t event taken the dog for walkies yet!!! :thumb2: :smiling2:

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

Looking pretty good. Since these are soft-plastic tracks, you can just take it off again, probably best done by pulling off the drive sprocket or idler wheel with the track around it, and then put it back on the right way round.

You also forgot to paint the track-adjusting wrench on the engine deck and the tanker’s bar, that’s the long crowbar along the right edge of the hull, outboard of the pickaxe handle. The square cross-section bit at the back is the socket it fits into, and so is part of the tank, but at the front end the square bit is part of the tool. All but the tip of it would be bare steel (the tip is held in another little socket).

Thanks Jakko.

Not forgotten as such, I just thought they were OD. Nothing that can't be rectified. I'll see if I can find a reference photo to help.

Arnold, take a breath, nothing wrong with your build.
One comment - give the tools metal areas a rub with some lead powder - take an old brush and cut it down to about 5mm, then sand a lead pencil onto some wet n dry paper to get the powder, dip the brush in and gently rub over the metal areas, that will tone down the silver...

Thanks Mike, great suggestion, I'll do that. I have since given them (well the whole hull) a dark pin wash and a dry brush with dark earth powder, but they are still a bit bright, so I'll do that.

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

Try one of these

The last will be your best bet!
Dave

Very nice clean build AJ.

Looking very good. A nice clean build.

ATB.

Andrew

Arnold all looking most splendid mate.

Very nice looking battle wagon Arnold.

I’ve leaned something new and haven’t event taken the dog for walkies yet!!! :thumb2: :smiling2:

Thanks All -your kind comments are much appreciated. I have since done a bit of light weathering on it and have a bit more to do before the matt coat.

I've also started the crew - assembled and primed them today. They're nowhere near as grainy in the flesh so to speak.

 

[Lee Drennen]

Nice updates AJ.

 

[Tworrs]

It's nice to see a facial expression on the last figure.

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

It's nice to see a facial expression on the last figure.

Yes it's not bad - better than the other one in the box.

 

[Guest]

The other half-figure is from the original release of this kit, ca. 1981 So is the commander you used, except I think you swapped his right arm for one holding binoculars?

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

The other half-figure is from the original release of this kit, ca. 1981 :smiling3: So is the commander you used, except I think you swapped his right arm for one holding binoculars?

You've obviously built this kit too many tine lol! That's spot on. The newer commander was too short for how I've set the hatch.

 

[Guest]

That original Tamiya M4A3 kit was the first-ever Sherman I built, when I was 14 or 15 or so (I even still remember where I bought it, and that it must have been on a Friday evening in winter, for reasons too convoluted to explain in short) and I’ve bought, built, and/or converted a couple more in the ten or so years after that. I’d know that commander figure anywhere In fact, I have one in the stash that someone gave me when I built a retro Sherman last year, because one of the things I want to do is build a modern M4A3 kit but make it look like it’s the old Tamiya one

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

Making some progress - mainly painting up the Stowage now.

This is where I am currently - overall I'm pretty pleased with it as a first attempt.

I need a lot more practice in painting figures - but I did have fun painting these.

Not perfect but I am enjoying this armour lark!

 

[Si Benson]

Nice work, looking good :thumb2:

 

[A_J_Rimmer]

Nice work, looking good :thumb2:

Thanks Si!

 

[Guest]

Not bad at all. A more modern Sherman kit next?