Tamiya M4 Sherman Early Production
Box art
Runner A
Runner B
Runner D
Runner E
Runner F
Gluable rubber tracks
Decals
Making a start
Left are the pressed road wheels from the 1987 tool, nice big seams. Right are the 1995 spoked wheels, much better moulding.
Seam on the idlers, from the 1987 sprue. Also no detail on the back side. No idlers on the 1995 sprue.
Left: 1987 sprue with pressed wheels and seams. Right: 1995 sprue with spoked wheels.
I posted this on Twitter, posting here too hoping for expert input. Was there ever a Sherman with rubber tyres on the idlers?
Bogies, drive sprockets, and idlers ready.
Fenders going on.
Primed. Tamiya Fine Surface Primer.
A quick fix for taking some of the slack out of the M4 Sherman rubber-band tracks.
Top is before, bottom is after... is it worth it? I think there is a slight improvement.
I didn't want to cut the tracks as I don't think I'd ever get them to join again under tension, so went with this hack... a slight improvement, but I can move on now 😄
Build, paint, varnish done. Test shot before filter, dark wash, fading, dust, rust, and mud.
Build, paint, varnish done. Test shot before filter, dark wash, fading, dust, rust, and mud.
Build, paint, varnish done. Test shot before filter, dark wash, fading, dust, rust, and mud.
Planning to airbrush a bit of dust.
Added a refueling stain seen on a historical reference on Twitter.
It's done.
Project completed.
Comentarios
33 19 April 2021, 13:44
TomThere are a few nice options in this kit: cast or 3-piece transmission cover, spoked or pressed road wheels, 2 different drive sprocket types, 3 figures, radio, stowage and accessories.
24 April 2021, 03:30
TomWelcome m8! This one is for a Twitter group build - #KITOFF4CHUF - so there is a good chance I will finish this one sooner than my others 😄 Great detail on your build, and great dio 👍
29 April 2021, 03:27
TomThanks Cortex! The lightable shots are DSLR, but the work bench shots are just a Coolpix point-and-shoot. I tidy everything up in Lightroom too 🙂
17 May 2021, 01:37
TomThanks James! 👍 Although just hit my first big mistake: tried to mask the packs on the turret with masking fluid. The fluid was too thin, the base coat too heavy, and the texture too rough. The mask was coming off slowly - square millimetre by square millimetre. Just going to paint over it.
19 May 2021, 01:54
TomHey Tini, yep it is a nice kit. It's for a group build on Twitter. Will finish on 31st May. I will be back on the micro machines at 9:00am on 1st June 😄 It has been nice doing 1:35 though. Much more detail, and easier to build in some respects. But my mistakes are also magnified!
19 May 2021, 01:57
TomCrew installed, tracks prepped for rust and mud later. The finish line inches inexorably closer...
31 May 2021, 03:10
TomThe rubber-band tracks on this kit have a lot of slack and the tracks hand soft and round. I've been trying some ways to reduce the slack without cutting, which is a one-way trip... what do you reckon?
1 June 2021, 11:20
Tini HendriksPaying a lot of money for some splendid Masterclub tracks and/or back to 1/76 ! ?
1 June 2021, 12:12
TomI'm all out of a lot of money, Tini 😄 I have 3 more 1:76 waiting patiently in the stash, it won't be long... 👍
1 June 2021, 12:55
TomThanks Tini, another reason to like the fenders! Apart from: I just like them 😄
3 June 2021, 13:31
TomCheers James! First time doing this, for me, so just trying to copy the Youtubers. This last layer was an oil dot filter/wash. Definitely did not go the way I see it in the vids, but I'm happy with it. Going to spray on a light layer of dust tomorrow, then finish up the rust, mud and grime, and then it is done.
12 June 2021, 11:12
TomTini, this 1:35 Sherman has indeed spoiled me, very nice to build and paint 👍 I still have a stash of micro machines to get through, but I will definitely do 1:35 again. Unfortunately, I am now obsessed with the M4, so please don't expect much variation 😄
15 June 2021, 01:22
James CPretty cool Tom and welcome to the dark side that is 1/35 scale armour 😉👍
Your build reminded me that I have this kit in the stash as well.
If/when I get around to it, I will probably do it in an early camo scheme.
This one inspired me to start my own, older Tamiya kit... the Panzer IV
19 June 2021, 07:22
TomJames, Neuling, Rui, thank you 👍 I am very pleased with the result and happy to cross the finish line. Now I can just enjoy the model without thinking about what I need to do next 😄
James, that PzIV looks good, are you posting pics?
19 June 2021, 11:50
