M4A4 Sherman OP Tank
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/5/2/6/242526-19238-81-720.jpg)
Complted Bogies.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/5/2/7/242527-19238-30-720.jpg)
Drive Sprockets 1
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/5/2/8/242528-19238-31-720.jpg)
Drive Spprockets 2
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/5/2/9/242529-19238-32-720.jpg)
Up close great detail note casting numbers
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/5/3/0/242530-19238-59-720.jpg)
Rear access hatch w/PE 1
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/5/3/1/242531-19238-93-720.jpg)
Rear access hatch w/PE 2
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/5/3/2/242532-19238-68-720.jpg)
Rear access hatch w/PE 3
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/5/3/4/242534-19238-79-720.jpg)
Rear access hatch w/PE 4
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/5/3/3/242533-19238-78-720.jpg)
Bottom of hull, won't see it when done but nice detail
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/5/3/5/242535-19238-17-720.jpg)
Attached running gear
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/5/3/6/242536-19238-34-720.jpg)
Up close again
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/5/3/8/242538-19238-89-720.jpg)
Up close again 2
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/5/3/7/242537-19238-46-720.jpg)
idler mount
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/5/3/9/242539-19238-34-720.jpg)
bigger view
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/5/4/0/242540-19238-68-720.jpg)
After Market fuel caps and PE retention chains
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/5/4/1/242541-19238-16-720.jpg)
After Market fuel caps and PE retention chains 2
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/5/4/2/242542-19238-94-pristine.jpg)
Vents, hooks and extinguisher
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/5/4/4/242544-19238-38-720.jpg)
Vents, hooks and extinguisher 2
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/5/4/5/242545-19238-52-720.jpg)
Vents, hooks and extinguisher 3
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/5/4/3/242543-19238-38-720.jpg)
Vents, hooks and extinguisher 4
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/5/4/6/242546-19238-34-720.jpg)
Nice PE Brush guard
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/5/4/7/242547-19238-12-720.jpg)
AM Track, much better than kit offerings
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/5/4/8/242548-19238-58-pristine.jpg)
Removed from sprue before clean up
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/5/4/9/242549-19238-88-720.jpg)
Working a run
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/5/5/0/242550-19238-48-720.jpg)
AM tools w/clasps and clamps
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/5/5/1/242551-19238-39-720.jpg)
AM tools w/clasps and clamps 2
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/5/5/2/242552-19238-13-pristine.jpg)
AM tools w/clasps and clamps 3
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/5/5/3/242553-19238-16-pristine.jpg)
Beginning the base. House and road from Reality in Scale
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/5/5/4/242554-19238-28-720.jpg)
Beginning the base. House and road from Reality in Scale 2
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/5/5/5/242555-19238-48-pristine.jpg)
Beginning the base. House and road from Reality in Scale 3
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/5/5/6/242556-19238-11-720.jpg)
Beginning the base. House and road from Reality in Scale 4
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/5/5/7/242557-19238-56-pristine.jpg)
Working the paint job
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/5/5/8/242558-19238-22-720.jpg)
Working the paint job 2
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/5/5/9/242559-19238-62-pristine.jpg)
Working the paint job 3
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/5/6/0/242560-19238-15-pristine.jpg)
Working the paint job 4
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/5/6/1/242561-19238-56-pristine.jpg)
A bit of interior detail
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/5/6/2/242562-19238-13-pristine.jpg)
A bit of interior detail 2
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/8/9/0/242890-19238-95-pristine.jpg)
Rear of Shreman M4A4(Sherman V)
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/6/4/6/243646-19238-75-720.jpg)
1 of 3 pics of vehicle I am recreating
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/6/4/7/243647-19238-75-pristine.jpg)
2 of 3 pics of vehicle I am recreating
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/6/4/8/243648-19238-64-pristine.jpg)
3 of 3 pics of vehicle I am recreating
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/6/4/9/243649-19238-95-720.jpg)
Final drive housing installed
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/6/5/0/243650-19238-35-720.jpg)
Drive sprocket housing some filler needed
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/6/5/1/243651-19238-89-pristine.jpg)
Another shot of nice detail
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/6/5/2/243652-19238-93-pristine.jpg)
Only needed a bit a extra Tamiya extra thin cement to close this gap
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/6/5/3/243653-19238-76-720.jpg)
Glacis plate w/ light and mg 1
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/6/5/4/243654-19238-10-720.jpg)
Glacis plate w/ light and mg 2
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/6/5/5/243655-19238-20-720.jpg)
More PE
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/6/5/6/243656-19238-22-pristine.jpg)
Left brush guard 1
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/6/5/7/243657-19238-73-720.jpg)
Left brush guard 2
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/6/5/8/243658-19238-36-720.jpg)
Left brush guard 3
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/5/7/2/244572-19238-12-720.jpg)
Right brush guard
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/5/7/3/244573-19238-29-pristine.jpg)
Horn
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/5/7/4/244574-19238-22-720.jpg)
Rear stowaage bin
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/5/7/5/244575-19238-64-720.jpg)
Electrical boxes for smoke dischargers scratched from styrene and resin
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/8/8/2/245882-19238-81-pristine.jpg)
Mantlet with faux wooden barrel
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/8/8/3/245883-19238-51-720.jpg)
Mantlet with faux wooden barrel 2
![Album image #58 Album image #58](/albums/img/8/8/4/245884-19238-72-720.jpg)
Turret stowage box found on most British Shermans
![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/8/8/5/245885-19238-56-720.jpg)
Added tracks by Panda 1
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/8/8/6/245886-19238-14-720.jpg)
Added tracks by Panda 2
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/8/8/7/245887-19238-54-pristine.jpg)
test fitting the gun
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/5/6/3/247563-19238-48-pristine.jpg)
Surgery done to add CMK Turret Ring
![Album image #63 Album image #63](/albums/img/5/6/4/247564-19238-82-720.jpg)
Test fit turret ring
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/5/6/5/247565-19238-99-pristine.jpg)
Turret ring floor in progress
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/5/6/6/247566-19238-21-pristine.jpg)
Ring attached to floor 1
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/5/6/7/247567-19238-79-pristine.jpg)
Ring attached to floor 2
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/5/6/8/247568-19238-59-pristine.jpg)
Ring attached to floor 3
![Album image #68 Album image #68](/albums/img/5/6/9/247569-19238-54-720.jpg)
More Detail 1
![Album image #69 Album image #69](/albums/img/5/7/0/247570-19238-92-720.jpg)
More Detail 2
![Album image #70 Album image #70](/albums/img/5/7/1/247571-19238-83-pristine.jpg)
Screens and Mk 19 radio added
![Album image #71 Album image #71](/albums/img/5/7/2/247572-19238-32-pristine.jpg)
Differnrt view
![Album image #72 Album image #72](/albums/img/5/7/3/247573-19238-86-pristine.jpg)
Test fit again
![Album image #73 Album image #73](/albums/img/5/7/4/247574-19238-35-720.jpg)
2nd view
![Album image #74 Album image #74](/albums/img/5/7/5/247575-19238-66-pristine.jpg)
Adding map table and extra radio 1
![Album image #75 Album image #75](/albums/img/5/7/6/247576-19238-22-pristine.jpg)
Adding map table and extra radio 2
![Album image #76 Album image #76](/albums/img/5/7/7/247577-19238-42-pristine.jpg)
Adding map table and extra radio 3
![Album image #77 Album image #77](/albums/img/5/7/8/247578-19238-55-720.jpg)
Turret roof detail 1
![Album image #78 Album image #78](/albums/img/5/7/9/247579-19238-40-pristine.jpg)
Turret roof detail 1
![Album image #79 Album image #79](/albums/img/5/8/0/247580-19238-48-720.jpg)
Turret and backet test fit
![Album image #80 Album image #80](/albums/img/5/8/1/247581-19238-44-pristine.jpg)
![Album image #81 Album image #81](/albums/img/5/8/2/247582-19238-38-720.jpg)
![Album image #82 Album image #82](/albums/img/5/8/3/247583-19238-58-720.jpg)
![Album image #83 Album image #83](/albums/img/5/8/4/247584-19238-75-720.jpg)
![Album image #84 Album image #84](/albums/img/5/8/5/247585-19238-29-720.jpg)
![Album image #85 Album image #85](/albums/img/5/8/6/247586-19238-69-pristine.jpg)
Figure 1 face done & base coated
![Album image #86 Album image #86](/albums/img/5/8/7/247587-19238-13-pristine.jpg)
Figure 2 face done & base coated
![Album image #87 Album image #87](/albums/img/5/8/8/247588-19238-32-pristine.jpg)
Figure 3 face done & base coated
![Album image #88 Album image #88](/albums/img/5/8/9/247589-19238-65-pristine.jpg)
Figure 4 face done & base coated
![Album image #89 Album image #89](/albums/img/5/9/0/247590-19238-15-pristine.jpg)
Figure 4 completed
![Album image #90 Album image #90](/albums/img/5/9/1/247591-19238-25-pristine.jpg)
Figure 3 completed
![Album image #91 Album image #91](/albums/img/5/9/2/247592-19238-24-pristine.jpg)
Figure 1 completed
![Album image #92 Album image #92](/albums/img/5/9/3/247593-19238-75-pristine.jpg)
Figure 2 completed
![Album image #93 Album image #93](/albums/img/5/9/4/247594-19238-95-720.jpg)
All together
![Album image #94 Album image #94](/albums/img/7/9/6/248796-19238-62-pristine.jpg)
Reconfigured Turret 1
![Album image #95 Album image #95](/albums/img/7/9/7/248797-19238-69-720.jpg)
Reconfigured Turret 2
![Album image #96 Album image #96](/albums/img/7/9/8/248798-19238-55-720.jpg)
Reconfigured Turret 3
![Album image #97 Album image #97](/albums/img/7/9/9/248799-19238-37-720.jpg)
Turret interior w/paint 1
![Album image #98 Album image #98](/albums/img/8/0/0/248800-19238-74-720.jpg)
Turret interior w/paint 2
![Album image #99 Album image #99](/albums/img/8/0/1/248801-19238-45-720.jpg)
Turret interior w/paint 3
![Album image #100 Album image #100](/albums/img/8/0/2/248802-19238-91-720.jpg)
Weathered and finished 1
![Album image #101 Album image #101](/albums/img/8/0/3/248803-19238-46-720.jpg)
Weathered and finished 2
![Album image #102 Album image #102](/albums/img/8/0/4/248804-19238-26-720.jpg)
Weathered and finished 3
![Album image #103 Album image #103](/albums/img/8/0/5/248805-19238-13-pristine.jpg)
Weathered and finished 4
![Album image #104 Album image #104](/albums/img/8/0/6/248806-19238-72-720.jpg)
Iterior top of turret
![Album image #105 Album image #105](/albums/img/8/0/7/248807-19238-76-720.jpg)
PE on Turret exterior
![Album image #106 Album image #106](/albums/img/8/0/8/248808-19238-73-720.jpg)
Added casting marks
![Album image #107 Album image #107](/albums/img/8/0/9/248809-19238-87-720.jpg)
More turret exterior 1
![Album image #108 Album image #108](/albums/img/8/1/0/248810-19238-61-720.jpg)
More turret exterior 2
![Album image #109 Album image #109](/albums/img/8/1/1/248811-19238-21-720.jpg)
Ready for paint 1
![Album image #110 Album image #110](/albums/img/8/1/2/248812-19238-48-720.jpg)
Ready for paint 2
![Album image #111 Album image #111](/albums/img/8/1/3/248813-19238-65-pristine.jpg)
Ready for paint 3
![Album image #112 Album image #112](/albums/img/8/1/4/248814-19238-35-720.jpg)
Ready for paint 4
![Album image #113 Album image #113](/albums/img/8/1/5/248815-19238-26-720.jpg)
Ready for paint 5
![Album image #114 Album image #114](/albums/img/8/1/6/248816-19238-55-pristine.jpg)
Ready for paint 6
![Album image #115 Album image #115](/albums/img/0/9/4/251094-19238-49-pristine.jpg)
Initial Paint and markings 1
![Album image #116 Album image #116](/albums/img/0/9/5/251095-19238-32-pristine.jpg)
Initial Paint and markings 2
![Album image #117 Album image #117](/albums/img/0/9/6/251096-19238-13-720.jpg)
Initial Paint and markings 3
![Album image #118 Album image #118](/albums/img/0/9/7/251097-19238-66-720.jpg)
Initial Paint and markings 4
![Album image #119 Album image #119](/albums/img/0/9/8/251098-19238-35-720.jpg)
Initial Paint and markings 5
![Album image #120 Album image #120](/albums/img/0/9/9/251099-19238-78-720.jpg)
Initial Paint and markings 6
![Album image #121 Album image #121](/albums/img/1/0/0/251100-19238-33-720.jpg)
Dry brushing 1
![Album image #122 Album image #122](/albums/img/1/0/1/251101-19238-35-720.jpg)
Dry brushing 2
![Album image #123 Album image #123](/albums/img/1/0/2/251102-19238-29-720.jpg)
Dry brushing 3
![Album image #124 Album image #124](/albums/img/1/0/3/251103-19238-81-720.jpg)
Dry brushing 4
![Album image #125 Album image #125](/albums/img/1/0/4/251104-19238-85-720.jpg)
Dry brushing 5
![Album image #126 Album image #126](/albums/img/1/0/5/251105-19238-75-720.jpg)
Dry brushing 6
![Album image #127 Album image #127](/albums/img/1/0/6/251106-19238-95-pristine.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 1
![Album image #128 Album image #128](/albums/img/1/0/7/251107-19238-45-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 2
![Album image #129 Album image #129](/albums/img/1/0/8/251108-19238-72-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 3
![Album image #130 Album image #130](/albums/img/1/0/9/251109-19238-58-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 4
![Album image #131 Album image #131](/albums/img/1/1/0/251110-19238-52-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 5
![Album image #132 Album image #132](/albums/img/1/1/1/251111-19238-76-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 6
![Album image #133 Album image #133](/albums/img/1/1/2/251112-19238-76-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 7
![Album image #134 Album image #134](/albums/img/1/1/3/251113-19238-74-720.jpg)
Finished M4A4 OP Tank 8
![Album image #135 Album image #135](/albums/img/1/1/4/251114-19238-80-720.jpg)
Finished Project 1
![Album image #136 Album image #136](/albums/img/1/1/5/251115-19238-16-720.jpg)
Finished Project 2
![Album image #137 Album image #137](/albums/img/1/1/6/251116-19238-51-720.jpg)
Finished Project 3
![Album image #138 Album image #138](/albums/img/1/1/7/251117-19238-54-720.jpg)
Finished Project 4
![Album image #139 Album image #139](/albums/img/1/1/8/251118-19238-26-720.jpg)
Finished Project 5
![Album image #140 Album image #140](/albums/img/1/1/9/251119-19238-35-720.jpg)
Finished Project 6
![Album image #141 Album image #141](/albums/img/1/2/0/251120-19238-79-720.jpg)
Finished Project 7
![Album image #142 Album image #142](/albums/img/1/2/1/251121-19238-22-720.jpg)
Finished Project 8
![Album image #143 Album image #143](/albums/img/1/2/2/251122-19238-76-720.jpg)
Finished Project 9
![Album image #144 Album image #144](/albums/img/1/2/3/251123-19238-33-pristine.jpg)
Finished Project 10
![Album image #145 Album image #145](/albums/img/1/2/4/251124-19238-21-720.jpg)
Finished Project 11
![Album image #146 Album image #146](/albums/img/1/2/5/251125-19238-46-720.jpg)
Finished Project 12
![Album image #147 Album image #147](/albums/img/1/2/6/251126-19238-80-720.jpg)
Finished Project 13
![Album image #148 Album image #148](/albums/img/1/2/7/251127-19238-23-720.jpg)
Finished Project 14
![Album image #149 Album image #149](/albums/img/1/2/8/251128-19238-70-720.jpg)
Finished Project 15
Kommentare
7 March 2016, 18:01
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
I will go back and check my references and instructions. If I am off it will be an easy fix. Thanks for the heads up. Would not have wanted to get too far along and then have to correct.
8 March 2016, 12:50
![](/profiles/img/19343-944-s.jpg)
good build. What are doing with the decals from the box ? i'm looking for the french option, as the decal in my kit are cracked and unusable.
8 March 2016, 13:18
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
Dave, I checked reference using Mark Haywards Sherman Firefly book. Pg 75 has a war time photo, pg 159 shows a survivor at Bovington and there is a line drawing on page 186 all showing the pintle off center. This may have been done to accommodate the British smoke dischargers. The Aber instructions also show the tow pintle off center. I would guess they used the survivor at Bovington as the example.
If you see any thing else in my work that looks off let me know. There is so much I have not learned about the Sherman and I want my builds to be accurate.
Henry
8 March 2016, 13:21
![](/profiles/img/11091-s.jpg)
The reason I asked the questions is because those boxes on the back are cemented on the engine hatches, they would not be able to open the doors to service the engine. tank-photographs.s3-..a1-sherman-tank.html
8 March 2016, 16:39
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
Dave,
From what I have read about the M4A4 in British service the smoke dischargers were removable. The braces holding them in place were welded to the door. The tow pintles being attached in factories in USA were long and when damaged they caused the access doors to warp so they were removed by the crews and maintenance shops. The British wanted US factories to install their short version pintle but that did not happen so they did the work when the vehicles got to them. I will post a few shots I have shortly.
9 March 2016, 11:45
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
I posted a good pic in the album showing the location of the smoke dischargers. This may be a Firefly but the OP tank I am building is also an M4A4 just without the 17 Pounder gun added. My turret will be without the counter weight that was added to the rear of the turret and will have a wood barrel. The 75mm gun was removed from OP Shermans to allow added radios and map tables
9 March 2016, 11:56
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
Eric, I will be happy to send the kit decals your way. I am using after market decals to represent the OP tank in the villers bocage photos. Just need to know where to send them and they are yours.
9 March 2016, 11:59
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
I still need to add the electrical junction boxes and wiring for the smoke dischargers to the door as seen in the photo.
9 March 2016, 12:00
![](/profiles/img/19343-944-s.jpg)
It's very nice. Thanks.
My adress is
Eric RENOUX
15 Bis rue de Lorraine
88000 DEYVILLERS
France.
Thanks again.
9 March 2016, 12:50
![](/profiles/img/11091-s.jpg)
Well.... look at that! Thanks for the information! Always looking for new information on Shermans
9 March 2016, 16:15
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
Dave,
There are a some great reference books on the Sherman. The Son of Sherman series is excellent and the Firefly book by Heyward is a must if you are doing a Vc or Ic Firefly.
Eric,
I will get the decal sheet to the post office and on to you in a day or so.
Henry
10 March 2016, 01:26
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
No worries. Just post a few pics when you get that project completed.
10 March 2016, 13:23
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
I found a 3rd photo of this OP Tank on line today. As far as I can deduce there are only 3 photos in existence of this vehicle taken after the Villers Bocage action. This one shows that the ammo box seen on the right fender was placed there after the action and was not welded on as some have opined in the past.
12 March 2016, 14:30
![](/profiles/img/14298-181-s.png)
Just fantastic PE work Henry. and I am quite partial to the fold out tool box at the rear doors. 🙂
Is this to have the gun and mantle positioned as image 55. ? As it looks like it took a big hit. 🙂
I am sorry I have not commented before, but after looking through your work so far, I am just so impressed with all your results. Salute. 👍 🙂
15 March 2016, 02:16
![](/profiles/img/19238-766-s.jpg)
I am doing "before" takes on what happened at Villers Bocage. In this case the OP Sherman was on a main street when Wittmanss Tiger swung around a corner. They did not have time to react and took that shot in the turret. Wittmann proceeded up the road and knocked out a few more Cromewells, an M5 halftrack and an Humber scout car before being engaged by a Firefly.
My work will show what the OP Sherman should/could have been like just before getting hit.
15 March 2016, 12:54
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Thank you for the comments and compliments. PE is an area I have had to work on to get better but it adds such and excellent depth of detail that it is a must and one of the skills needed to produce top teir work. Plus I love the way it stands out in photos before painting.
15 March 2016, 12:56
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Bart,
I am studying the battle and have been since I began this project. There are some great books on the subject but also much disagreement on Wittmanns actual kill totals and who was where when certain things transpired. Each of my vignettes so far is based on facts in writing in the references I have. I will be doing a Sherman Firefly in the near future and I have many photos of the particular vehicle I want to create. In other instances I have just a few if any photo reference to work with so I have to use other historical data to get markings and other details as accurate as possible. I love the learning of history as much I the actual building, painting and finishing of models. It keeps the hobby fresh for me and always gives me something else to learn about and explore.
15 March 2016, 13:24
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I can agree with you, but now that my modelling time has disappeared largely (renovating my house, and that of my girlfriends...), I must tend more to building than spitting down my references... unfortunately... now I'm only adding basic details to get an appearance of correctness, without actually being correct...
15 March 2016, 13:41
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bart,
any chance to build a model is time well spent. I have been unemployed since I left the military and so time is a commodity I have had in abundance.....even with all the things my wife comes up with for me to do. That may change as I am screening for a job and should be back in the world of the working very soon. I love to read and I find I can both fill my passion for history, reading and research my projects all at once. The military taught me to multitask. I had a friend tell me one time that even if you only get 20-30 minutes try and do something with you project, you will be surprised how quickly it can get done. He was right.
16 March 2016, 00:22
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that's the thing I'm learning now, making the most of every half hour I can spend to modelism... cleaning up parts when I can, and prepare everything to paint as much as I can at once...
16 March 2016, 09:00
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The other thing I did when I was working and did not have much time was do 1/72nd scale armor kits. Most you can get done in a few hours, keeps the skills fresh and you actually finish something for that sense of accomplishment.
16 March 2016, 12:17
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Decals arrived this morning, in perfect condition. Thanks a lot. Next step, build of the kit. Regards.
16 March 2016, 14:06
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I have the 3 surviving photos of this OP tank here. I do not see a mg in the turret but given that Wittmann put an AP round into said turret the mg may have been destroyed. Given that the main gun was removed to create space I think they went ahead and removed the mg as well. If anyone can find definitive proof on way or another please post a link or photo. In addition I will be detailing the turret interior to show the radios and map tables that were added when the main gun was removed. If anyone has info on the turret configuration of an OP Sherman that would be of great help.
23 March 2016, 11:31
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Will be finishing up the wiring of the radios and turret today. Prime, base coat by tonight. I have a wee to get this one done for the AMPs nationals in Sumter South Carolina next week.
30 March 2016, 12:48
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Wow, what an impressive pe work! And what a stunning clean build!😄
30 March 2016, 13:15
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and you want this finished by next week???????? kuddo's for that, but rushing a model to the finish is never a good idea...
30 March 2016, 13:37
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Thanks for the positive feedback.
Bart. You are correct, a rush job ends in poor work, however, I have everything but the turret exterior done (finished painting and weathering the turret interior last night, photos to follow). Just need to add a few details and it is off to the painting bench. My base and figures are done and I have a cache of stowage already painted and weathered, (I did several reviews on Value Gear Sherman items some time back). It also helps that I am unemployed at the moment and have plenty of time during the day to devote to this. That will change in a few weeks as I have been selected for a job and will start that endeavor later in mid April. Anyway since I am building this for a national competition I would not hesitate to leave it behind if I run out of time. I will keep you posted and I will also be posting photos from the AMPs nationals in Sumter, South Carolina next week.
31 March 2016, 12:54
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Got base paint and markings done. Washes and dry brushing today and I hope to have the last clear flat application of Dulcote on tonight. Tomorrow add the weathering pigments and them mount on the base and tie it all together. Thursday is off to the AMPs Nationals.
5 April 2016, 13:52
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Just returned from AMPs Nationals. The following link will take you to a huge photo album already put on the web. The show was great, quality of entries was very, very high, had a blast with many old and new friends and Sumter South Carolina is a lovely town. All in all a great way to spend a long weekend. facebook.com/rothjr/..791430512&type=3
12 April 2016, 13:28
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Hi Henry,
wow that is all high Quality stuff, that was shown on the Exhibition! A lot of lovely tanks among them🙂
12 April 2016, 13:52
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Some really great stuff and unique. I was fortunate enough do judge the eventual best of show. The AMPs web site will have photos up in a day or so. From what I understand the man responsible had a multi day drive to get home. Finescale modeler will have photos up shortly as well on their web page and a select few will make it into and upcoming issue.
12 April 2016, 15:08
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I will be adding my final photos to this album soon. I finished this work the night before heading to the show and did not have time to posted completed pictures.
12 April 2016, 15:09
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Never be afraid to take chances and grow your skill set. I was never going to do figures or bases, I did not like doing certain subjects. I realized I was missing out. I made many mistakes but learned from each one and got better. I just earned my 1st advanced gold metal at a Nationals. I have been in that category for 9 years and entered many contests. If I did not push the envelope and try new things I would not have improved. It is a fun hobby but sometimes we get caught up in trying to be perfect. It is a model, we have many in the stash, if you don't like how one comes out do another, and then another. That is what it is about. The joy of making something and discovering new talents and skills.
12 April 2016, 23:41
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Hi Sherm, (MASH 4077) hahaha. 🙂 What a treat to see what you have produced here Henry.
Now you can tell me to bugger off after reading this, but I am assuming you have totally finished your model and because of that, I am wondering if there could be a little more bright metal exposed on the surface of the track where the rib that stands out from the outer track surface has met the street cobble stone surface.?
I ask this because.
I have noticed in images 38 and 40, the wear and polished surfaces on that particular part of the tread pattern, caused I would imagine from where the track meets the cobble stone surface as it moved along these hard stone surfaces.
I really feel that doing this would benefit the overall finish, and it is something I would be looking for if I was judging your work at a competition.
I do hope you take my comments as not a criticism, but they are intended, to mostly draw your attention to something you may have overlooked, as your attention to detail is something to marvel at.
Like I said, I will not be at all surprised if you did tell me to bugger off.
Cheers again, and I do love your work.
🙂 👍
13 April 2016, 06:13
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Thank you for the great feedback,
Kerry, You have a good point. I did finish this late the night before travelling to the show in South Carolina. I did add a bit of wear on the track but maybe not enough. I also forgot to weather out the distance poles and fill in the rear lights with a bit of clear red, all noted by judges at the nationals.
I will never shy away from constructive comments. That is how we get better. Now if someone told me that I would be better served to take up knitting I might get a bit sore, other than that I will take what folks say and run with it, so no worries there at all.
13 April 2016, 12:48
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I use a darker mix than most when it comes to track weathering an wear. I have several links from actual vehicles that I have acquired over the years. I use my Panzer 2 link as a book end. The real ones are a bit darker than most people portray in their work and too rusty as well. I have worked on getting it to a good scale effect and continue to try and improve the process. My friend has a whole collection of track links so fellow dug up in Europe some time back. pretty amazing collection. I will post pics if I can find them.
13 April 2016, 12:52
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Henry, You are as diplomatic as you are a superb modeller mate, and thank you for your understanding my meaning. 🙂 And to tell you the truth, I didn't notice the red and white distance pole had no wear to it OR, the tail light lenses either, but tail lights on an armoured vehicle in the middle of a war can be forgiven. :-/. So I will now look at what you mentioned, and again, Thanks. 👍
13 April 2016, 15:32
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Wait, is that supposed to be striped? I painted mine flat black because I thought it was a gun cleaning rod. Oops.
13 April 2016, 17:10
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Like I said, no worries Kerry.
I modified some cleaning rods to resemble distance poles. I figured a tank used as an artillery observation post would have them. On the M4A4 with a 75mm gun the cleaning rods would be metallic black or a gun metal color. I believe they kept the cleaning heads in a container.
13 April 2016, 23:22
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I am always amazed to see just what is available for the modeller to detail their models, and your fineness in the turret is one of those examples of great attention to detail, and all the other PE work you did.👍
A big SALUTE mate. 🙂
14 April 2016, 03:21
Album info
Dragon M4A4 converted to a Artillery Observation Post Tank. The gun was replaced with a wood mock up to allow space for more radios and map tables. I am building the vehicle shown in a number of well see photos of an OP Sherman knocked out in Villers Bocage.