LetLetLet ~ Warplanes

Let Let Let - Warplanes => Ground Forces => Topic started by: Second Air Force on November 02, 2014, 03:25:07 PM

Title: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 02, 2014, 03:25:07 PM
Here, for review, is the Eduard Sherman:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/EduardShermanMain004_zps35411d66.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/EduardShermanMain004_zps35411d66.jpg.html)

First step was to begin lower hull construction. Here the rear hull vertical face and one air cleaner assembly have already been fitted. This is very straightforward and the fit is excellent:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/EduardShermanMain003_zps75735448.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/EduardShermanMain003_zps75735448.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/EduardShermanMain002_zps27bf6ff1.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/EduardShermanMain002_zps27bf6ff1.jpg.html)

Eduard has seen fit to include an excellent PE sheet with this kit. For the version I'm building, however, the sand shields and PE fenders will not be used....:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/EduardShermanMain006_zpsbfe8870d.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/EduardShermanMain006_zpsbfe8870d.jpg.html)

And, of course, I had to test-fit the primary elements to get a feel for the project. So far, everything looks like a near-perfect fit!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/EduardShermanMain005_zps4183afed.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/EduardShermanMain005_zps4183afed.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 02, 2014, 03:53:09 PM
This will be pleasure to watch :-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: draken35 on November 02, 2014, 04:32:24 PM
:-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: mfg495 on November 03, 2014, 03:10:18 PM
 :-think :-clap
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 07, 2014, 11:38:22 PM
Thanks for the encouragement, friends! Even though my updates have been very slow in coming, it isn't a fault of the kit. This is a very enjoyable model to build, time has been lacking on my part...... Some small steps have gone forward. First is the finishing of the three-piece transmission/final drive/forward hull. Even though I'm using the bolt-together style, the kit also includes the one-piece casting used on many Sherman versions:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanTransmission001_zpsa2e21d9c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanTransmission001_zpsa2e21d9c.jpg.html)

Next up was to trial-fit a bogie set. This is quite a treat as it actually is articulated much like the real tank and the three small black rubber "biscuits" provide spring action. On the left, all the parts that go into one bogie set, on the right a completed unit:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanTransmission002_zpsa65f285d.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanTransmission002_zpsa65f285d.jpg.html)

Then the turret was substantially completed. Only a few small brackets still need to be added before painting can start here:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanTransmission003_zpsde20e460.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanTransmission003_zpsde20e460.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 08, 2014, 06:30:02 AM
Painting started? Who say 'slow'?
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: modellius on November 08, 2014, 11:28:35 AM
nice, very nice
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 08, 2014, 02:41:33 PM
Eduard made a great choice in using the Tasca molds for this kit, in my opinion. The bogie units are a bit complicated to assemble but everything else is simply a dream.

No.1, it seems very slow on my side--This could easily be built in a couple of days by a determined modeler!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 08, 2014, 03:30:26 PM
Just relax, you do it best you can. When make final conclusion, note that kit is easy to build :))
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: draken35 on November 09, 2014, 06:16:47 PM
Good work anyway!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 16, 2014, 05:37:52 PM
We have been "under the weather" here for the last week or so--a cold or influenza, or both, has hit our house. Nevertheless I've felt well enough to make some small progress on this machine, mostly in line with painting. First off I decided early on to paint the road wheel tires in black at the beginning so these were painted. Next step was to figure out how to paint each suspension bogie assembly. The decision was made to assemble them completely and tape them together, then paint each unit. After drying, all were disassembled so the wheels could be added. In the second photo you can see the three rubber "springs" that are inserted in each bogie to give the wheels the correct spring action and articulation. This is really quite a genius engineering device, and makes it possible to adjust the ride height by subtracting rubber sections for heavily laden tanks:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting004_zps51d4106c.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting004_zps51d4106c.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting008_zps9d4f2ff3.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting008_zps9d4f2ff3.jpg.html)

After all six bogie assemblies were finished, it was time to fit some wheels to a partially finished track:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting007_zps663f3e60.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting007_zps663f3e60.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 16, 2014, 05:42:56 PM
I am always impressed with crisp look of your parts, like in catalog!!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 16, 2014, 05:48:35 PM
This kit has fantastic molding and such crisp detail! I feel almost like I'm working on the real tank at times!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: modellius on November 17, 2014, 08:39:37 PM
nice !
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 17, 2014, 10:41:33 PM
Back to the hull and adding of the pioneer tools stowage brackets, from the excellent PE sheet provided by Eduard:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting003_zps723b70c4.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting003_zps723b70c4.jpg.html)

Then I installed each tool as test-fit, these go into place just like 1/1 scale. The kit PE even provides the leather straps with buckle to secure the tools! Also, four U.S. 5 gallon cans, two for gasoline and two for water, with correct caps and the water cans even have the embossed lettering under the handles!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting006_zps25e9939a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting006_zps25e9939a.jpg.html)

After the PE was satisfactory it became time for some olive drab:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting009_zps89e5acfa.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting009_zps89e5acfa.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 18, 2014, 07:04:29 AM
So good :-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 18, 2014, 11:35:13 PM
I can't stress enough how fun this kit has been so far! Next will be some clear gloss and then the few decals this one will require.
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 22, 2014, 04:25:32 PM
Another gem in this kit is the commander's .50 machine gun. The detail is simply unbelievable, with three barrels to choose from and numerous other optional parts. The basic gun I've built has eleven plastic parts and the ammo can and its holder are made up of four more.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainting005_zps5db57d9a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainting005_zps5db57d9a.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainted004_zps6e160d4f.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainted004_zps6e160d4f.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 22, 2014, 04:58:14 PM
Look like real  :-obey
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 22, 2014, 07:23:14 PM
Tasca also offered the .50 as a separate kit with tripod mount and many other accessories. It is simply a great little weapon to build. The ammunition belt actually threads into the receiver opening just like a real fifty.

Here are a few photos of the final paint scheme, a 1st Armored Division machine from the Italian campaign:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainted003_zps439ac099.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainted003_zps439ac099.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainted001_zps1bb9c072.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainted001_zps1bb9c072.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanPainted002_zps3d86e579.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanPainted002_zps3d86e579.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 22, 2014, 07:26:54 PM
Look great mate, do you have any plans to add some dirt, dust and fade of color?
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 22, 2014, 08:36:27 PM
Yes, No.1, this will get a good coating of Italian mud and dirt. However, I've decided to lightly weather it first for the review process. After I've finished with the out-of-box build I have some extra accessories and such to add. So......this will be a two-stage process! ;)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 22, 2014, 08:38:45 PM
Two stage is good idea, just go ahead!!!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 22, 2014, 08:48:56 PM
My dad said that the tank crews carried so much extra gear and "junk" on the hulls of their Shermans that it was hard to get to the engine compartment for servicing! He also said that most crews would remove their stuff only if they were going to lose the tank to the maintenance battalion for a long time......otherwise one man would usually hang around to see that dad's crew didn't steal anything!!! Funny thing was that the tank crew usually had stolen most of the stuff themselves....
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: modellius on November 23, 2014, 12:07:30 PM
looks great
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 23, 2014, 03:10:02 PM
Thanks!

Last night I took on the painting of the tracks. Eduard provides the same track that came in the original Tasca base kit. These are two pieces per side of a modern rubber/vinyl/plastic hybrid of some type that are so well molded. Only three tiny pour stubs need cleaning on each section of track and these were placed on the inside where they would be hard to see at any rate. First two segments were glued together (I used CA) and allowed to dry. Next step was to mask off the end plates where glue will go when completing each run of track. Then it was time for paint, first Metalizer for the guide fingers and outer link connectors. Next was a dusting of rust, trying not to get any on the inside of the guides or on the rubber track pads. Once that was dry another light dusting of road dirt color, mostly tan and grey mixed by eyeball, went on over both inside and outside of the tracks. The final step of this process was gluing the end segments together to get a completed assembly.

Prior to installing the tracks I also dusted on a similar coating of road dust/dirt to the sprockets, hull, suspension and wheels to match the weathering of the tracks. To actually add the tracks is quite simple and ingenious. Just remove the drive sprocket and idler wheel and install the track to the road wheel/bogie assemblies. I used a tool to get the guide fingers to snuggle down properly on the top guides of the three suspension assemblies at this time. Then I slid the track forward far enough to fit the sprocket on the final drive and seated the track to the sprocket teeth. Final step was to slide the track rearward while maintaining good fit on sprocket and bogies and slide the rear idler wheel into the track. The manufacturer designed the tank with an eccentric rear axle (not unlike how the real one works) that allows the builder to properly tension the track. With the axle set up to give a loose fit I simply stretched the track and idler back and slid the idler onto its axle. This gave me a somewhat loose fitting track so the eccentric axle was turned with a pair of needlenose pliers to tension the track properly.

A note on Sherman track installation (from info my dad told me years ago, backed up by photos)--the standard for Sherman tracks was to keep them fairly tight when possible. Not too many photos show loose, drooping track runs on operational Shermans. Burned out machines with collapsed suspension are another thing!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: draken35 on November 23, 2014, 05:48:10 PM
Nice work Scott, and thank you for your explanations for the tracks!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 23, 2014, 06:30:34 PM
I should have taken photos of the painting process......... I haven't ever painted tracks before and this was a new experiment, following some helpful websites I studied. When the mud is added later most of this work will be covered up!  :-think
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 26, 2014, 12:16:23 AM
Here are two photos of the finished machine. Everything you see here came from the Eduard box with the exception of the tow cable. The kit comes with both cable ends beautifully molded and the modeler then sources the cable itself. I'll get more photos when time allows, and then the real weathering can begin:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanCompleted001_zps91ece44b.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanCompleted001_zps91ece44b.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanCompleted002_zpsd5b5aedf.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanCompleted002_zpsd5b5aedf.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 26, 2014, 06:17:06 AM
Excellent finish  :-razz :-clap For all those interesting in this kit, here is where they could get it:

http://www.eduard.com/store/Eduard/Plastic-kits/Profipack/AFV/M4A1-Sherman-1-35.html
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 30, 2014, 03:57:31 PM
Here are a few photos of the completed first stage of this build. For markings I chose "Frantic" from the 1st Armored Division, 13th Armored Regiment. The timeframe is early spring of 1944 at the Anzio invasion area. There is a fair chance that my father at some time may have worked on this machine as his unit went ashore at Anzio quite early and stayed throughout. He did once tell me of the strange camouflage that was applied to some of their tanks in Italy with the white countershading on the barrel and lower hull. His remark was that it didn't make a lot of sense to paint white on the hull under the tracks when it would all be mud-covered in a few minutes of operation!
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanDone004_zps4c35ddd9.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanDone004_zps4c35ddd9.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanDone012_zps9c27f71e.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanDone012_zps9c27f71e.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanDone005_zps8926d28a.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanDone005_zps8926d28a.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanDone007_zps7baff8e6.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanDone007_zps7baff8e6.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanDone013_zps9f408eb0.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanDone013_zps9f408eb0.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanDone009_zpsbacd18b8.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanDone009_zpsbacd18b8.jpg.html)

So, in review, I can say this has been one of the most enjoyable and relaxing kits I've built in some time. Fit of all parts is excellent, many great design features of the molding are here, the PE and clear parts are wonderful and decal choices offer good variety. I've done quite a lot of Sherman research (courtesy in great part to some files No.1 sent me some time ago!) and the kit is quite accurate in shape and detail. Thanks to Eduard for the review kit provided. You can get one (and I highly recommend that you do) here: http://www.eduard.com/store/Eduard/Plastic-kits/Profipack/AFV/1-35/M4A1-Sherman-1-35.html

Sorry to Eduard for the long time taken for this review build. I haven't any excuse for dragging this out and I'll try to do better in the future.

Soon I will begin Phase II of this build--adding G.I. equipment and some Italian soil!! :-cool

Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on November 30, 2014, 04:01:38 PM
Excellent build and I can just imagine what will be next update!!!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on November 30, 2014, 04:08:16 PM
First I need to get some track sections and other items.
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on December 14, 2014, 05:08:11 PM
As I mentioned in the last entry, this project requires some extra track, and this arrived finally:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/MoreSherman003_zps107fc4e7.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/MoreSherman003_zps107fc4e7.jpg.html)

I had high hopes for this track, since the Tiger I tracks went together so well. However, there is quite a lot of cleaning and filling to do here......Each track segment has a rather large ejector pin mark right in the middle of the inner pad. These had to be filed flat and then filler used to make them smooth. Rather large molding stubs also have to be filed off each shoe on front and back. In addition, the side connector links have a rather large mold stub that must be carefully removed before assembly. Once all the flash and imperfections are corrected the tracks go together fairly well.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/MoreSherman004_zps0abb7b16.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/MoreSherman004_zps0abb7b16.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on December 14, 2014, 05:36:25 PM
This look great!!! And a lot of work I guess ;)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on December 14, 2014, 08:55:16 PM
Yes, these are more work than the Tiger tracks, but that is how the real tracks went together. The ejector pin marks are sort of aggravating, though.
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: draken35 on December 15, 2014, 09:05:56 AM
Very nice! I love it!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on January 01, 2015, 04:25:31 AM
The Sherman has had its accessories added now, the gasoline and water cans are from the Eduard kit, various canvas packages from a Tamiya source (I forget where right now) and a few items from my spares bin. I'll get some better photos when the weather outside permits.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanAccessories002_zps6e2f563b.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanAccessories002_zps6e2f563b.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/ShermanAccessories001_zps034daa21.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/ShermanAccessories001_zps034daa21.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on January 01, 2015, 07:32:48 AM
More details, more realistic and attractive :-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: draken35 on January 01, 2015, 04:59:33 PM
Very nice! :-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on January 02, 2015, 12:06:24 AM
Thanks!
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on January 04, 2015, 09:34:10 PM
To close out this thread, here are a few outdoor photos of the Sherman with the extra track and accessories:
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Finished001_zpsee045995.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Finished001_zpsee045995.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Finished002_zps005e3fe5.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Finished002_zps005e3fe5.jpg.html)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w117/2AF/Finished003_zps28163b71.jpg) (http://s174.photobucket.com/user/2AF/media/Finished003_zps28163b71.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: No.1 on January 04, 2015, 09:56:33 PM
Excellent look :) :-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: modellius on January 19, 2015, 09:09:15 PM
great !
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: draken35 on January 20, 2015, 07:43:48 PM
Splendid! :-ok
Title: Re: Eduard M4A1 Sherman
Post by: Second Air Force on January 26, 2015, 07:05:26 PM
Thank you, friends! :-flo

To add a final touch to this I found one of the clevises that are used for towing in the Carpet Monster last night! I painted it dirty OD and glued it in place. Now this one is finished! ;)