Semper Fi War in the Pacific

Carl,,   thanks              France was the mindset on that one

Bill , ok.

 Anyone know if USMC jeeps/tanks in the Pacific theater  were a different shade of green when compared to US Army vehicles ? I've got MM FS 34086 green drab and FS 34087 olive drab . Green drab is the darker . Also the USMC vehicle i.d.decals that came with the kit represent a USMC  vehicles . One was at Iwo Jima Feb. 1945 and the other a vehicle at Guam  Aug. 1944, are yellow ....is that correct ?

PANZERWAFFE

ANDY - Thanks for the pointers.  Went back and touched up the faces.  What do you use for the wash, Raw Umber, Raw Sienna?  Do you just pin wash or wash the whole face, uniform and all?

SWEET...Ladies in bikinis...dont get caught

Have a good time and a great Christmas

Rob- No worries!  I didn't take pictures... I don't think you want to see any of those overweight ladies at the pool.   We spent more than four hours at the pool chillin' before our big day at the Universal Studio tomorrow and Monday. 

I have used both burnt umber and Raw Sienna.  In my honest opinion Raw Sienna works better on the flesh while burnt umber works well on uniforms.  For flesh I only used pin wash method around eyes, nose, mouth or any flesh edges like between the fingers, cuffs, neck collar, etc.  For the uniforms, I do full wash the first time then come back to do pin washing.  Sometimes for the second time for deep edges!

Bill- Yes, we definitely want to ride that 'Dragon Duel' roller coaster.   The boys want to visit World of Harry Potter first before anything else.   

Thanks G , thats a big help . I read also that some of the USMC vehicles were obtained directly from the US Army . The Sherman i'm using is a Tamiya M4A3 . I noticed you mentioned the M4A2 . I'm doing some research to find what locations of the Pacific Island fighting that used the M4A2 versus the M4A3 . I'm using the M4A3 and I dont want to title my dio as taking place at either Iwo Jima or Okinawa if the -A3 was not there .

Thanks again G .

Shellback

Thanks G , thats a big help . I read also that some of the USMC vehicles were obtained directly from the US Army . The Sherman i'm using is a Tamiya M4A3 . I noticed you mentioned the M4A2 . I'm doing some research to find what locations of the Pacific Island fighting that used the M4A2 versus the M4A3 . I'm using the M4A3 and I dont want to title my dio as taking place at either Iwo Jima or Okinawa if the -A3 was not there .

Thanks again G .

Going off of pics, the late hull M4A2 first saw combat with USMC tank units at Pelilieu. From what I have read the first use of the late hull M4A3 was at Iwo Jima. I can't say which was more common at Okinawa, but at Iwo, 2 of the 3 tank battalions used M4A3s and they were satisfied with their performance there. The recent Squadron Book Tank Warfare on Iwo Jima has excerpts from each battalions After Action Reports that are interesting to read. M4A1s probably saw the least amount of service with the Marines of the US Sherman variants used.

Thanks again G . I thought that was interesting about the M4A2 using the diesel , especially when i found out it was a pair of 2 cycle 6 cylinder's in line .

Stik , thanks also . I can use all of the info you guys want to share . Sounds like i'll be safe with a M4A3 then for either Iwo or Okinawa . I'm going to use the Verlinden M1 dozer on it . I'm about ready to make a Sprue Bros . order and that sounds like a good book to look for .

Thanks for the help .

The photos I have seen of Marine M4s on Okinawa are hard to say late A2 or A3. The rear and engine deck are not shown clearly to say either type for certain, and that is the only external place you can tell the difference visually- the grill and exhausts. But they are late 47* hulls and 75mm turrets with the single piece TC hatch. Until someone releases those tank battalions' Okinawa AARs in print you can fudge either way with some wiggle room. I had always thought that it was late A2s on Iwo until I read the AAR excerpts.

I just stumbled upon this site that maybe helpful to some folks here

http://www.ww2gyrene.org/tanks_index.htm

agentg

I think, based on photos, all tanks used on Okinawa by Marines were M4A3's. Then again, late hull A2's look a lot like A3's unless you really look close.

G

Well I just found this gem of work on Okinawa. The author, Col Joseph Alexander,USMC, wrote the best book on Tarawa that I have read, The Utmost Savagery.  After stumbling across this, I am going to see if he has a similar work on Okinawa. Anyways, he lists 1st Marine Tank Battalion keeping their M4A2s and 6th Marine Tank Battalion having M4A3s.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-C-Okinawa/index.html

Scroll down about 2/3 of the way for the sidebar on tanks specifically

yes I have too much time on my hands this weekend

Stik , too much time on your hands . works for me . Some great research . I'm bookmarking these links .Thank you .

G, STIK, CARL - Great info.  I'm repeating basicly what y'all have already said, will have to find which refs I used but 3/4 Shermans on Iwo were A3's and I believe all on Okinawa were A3's.

Stik nice to have you stop in   You have anything you might want to jump in with?  Great sites, thanks!  Here's a few more y'all might enjoy?

http://www.historylink101.com/wwII_b-w/marines/index.html

http://scott_morse.tripod.com/main/our_veterans/wwii/g_e_helfrich.htm

http://www.7thfighter.com/albums/index.php/

PW, my plate is too full right now. Otherwise I have a few perfect subjects....

Stik , i found that reference on page 34 . Interesting Colonel Denigs preferring the M4A3 because of it having more horse power . He didnt think about the twin in line 6 cylinder diesels having the same torque as the V-8 gas, but at 800 less rpm. I found this site that list all of the for all of the M4 variants .

http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m4sherman.html

Rob , good info and pics at those links .

What did i do today ? Well i spent about 4 hrs making this .

What is it ? Hint ......Jeep windshield .

looks like the rack for a weapon on a jeep's windshield...

ANDY - Thanks again for the wash instruction.  Will do when I get to that stage

STIK - Understand.....I had to get a bigger plate already and it is now full also   Glad your here though and happy that you have that extra time.

CARL - That looks dead on.  You even have the angle in the rack done beautifully   Will be a nice addition.  Did not even think of it before but the last re-enactment I was in, the theme was USMC in PTO.  I rode in a friend of a friends jeep.   He was a USMC tanker (M48) in Vietnam.  Here are a few pic's.  They may not be accurate markings for the PTO but thought you and Bill might like to see them.

Have many more pics of his jeep in restoration / at show but believe they are packed.  If I can find them in time will post if interested.

ANDY - Thanks again for the wash instruction.  Will do when I get to that stage

STIK - Understand.....I had to get a bigger plate already and it is now full also   Glad your here though and happy that you have that extra time.

CARL - That looks dead on.  You even have the angle in the rack done beautifully   Will be a nice addition.  Did not even think of it before but the last re-enactment I was in, the theme was USMC in PTO.  I rode in a friend of a friends jeep.   He was a USMC tanker (M48) in Vietnam.  Here are a few pic's.  They may not be accurate markings for the PTO but thought you and Bill might like to see them.

Have many more pics of his jeep in restoration / at show but believe they are packed.  If I can find them in time will post if interested.

Photo bucket has really been giving me trouble latley

PW, if I can clear some of the older stuff up quickly after New Years, I will jump in. I see lots of slots needing to be filled in your roster, and as long as I dont pick a more involved kit with full interior like Academy's M3A1 I may be able to jump in successfully. So for now I will say, maybe

Carl,,   I am marking a lot of your posts....  I am just getting my feet wet with my jeep. You're offering a lot of great info,, much appreciated.      And appreciate everyone else tossing in links and info on the island campaigns..    great stuff!

Stik and Rob , That was my second attempt at making the weapon holder .

Rob, didnt know you were into the reinactment , cool . Looks like some really nice WW II vehicles in the background . Good looking jeeps . Thanks for the offer on the referrence pics . I'm ok so far since i found a couple a couple of good references on youtube .

Bill , Here's a couple of really good referrence video's for the jeep on youtube . Their walk around under the hood , interior and exterior .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=vYLQ5B8LmRw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVwK0I7sULQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRAXTxxypaE&feature=related

Sprue bros . has a DML 1/35th M4A2 PTO for $19.99.................................very tempting .

Carl,, SUPER,,,,,, thanks again!

Dragon recently had a sale too,,  I picked up a Bronco 1937 Saloon Coach (cool looking two-door town car) and a Dragon 250/1 NEU halftrack       $19.99 each.....     couldn't pass up the sale

I say, go for the M4A2             $19.99,,,,    can't beat that

Bill . cool . those were some good buys . I'm still looking at Sprue Bros. and thinking ...............fretting ?

Figured i should post a pic of the jeep L134 engine . I'm not sure on the color , might to dark to show detail . But i plan on weathering the heck out of it like it looks in one of those video's on youtube so maybe it wont matter .

STIK - The invitation will be there for you.  I do understand, all ready having commitments (thats the only reason for not joining your Veteran's GB ) but am just happy that you have contributed here with your great info and enjoy having you here, Thanks

BILL - SWEET buys

CARL - First things first.  That is some FINE work on the engine   Hard to believe and huge improvement over the kit supplied piece!  Think the color looks good but depending on what colors used for weathering, may darken things more?  If the right colors are used though it may show off more of the detail.

OK second........was reading through and wife was looking with me (she likes to look at all of the builds from time to time) and we came across........M4A2 PTO for $19.99!!!!  That was on my Christmas list so wife went in and bought it for me (even though I told her no).  Also got the Dragon Bison II #6440 on sale.  She said she was unable to find them until now so have to tell you thanks for helping with my list  Such a bad influence.

Have to finish up my Bren Carrier so that I can fully get in and ready for this build.  The first is coming fast.

NO FRETTING....When was the last time you bought yourself a new kit?  I say get it, can't beat the price.

Rob , i think i'll paint the engine a lighter shade of that color so the weathering shows up better . Mix some white with or light gray with that color .

Did you look at the discription of the M4A2 kit ? It looks like a nice kit .

You said your wife looks at these post ?????? I think thats great but i better clean up my verbage .................

Now about ordering  that kit ..............fret fret fret ..........

Thanks Rob

Carl,,,,     we've had this discussion about fretting,               now,   I agree with Rob ,,,  NO frets.....   grab that baby and no frets...............

Sounds good with lightening the color of engine.

Ensure we are talking of the same kit.  Just ordered kit # 6462, MARINES Sherman M4A2(W), Pacific Theater of Operation.  It had it listed for $23.99 for me, still real good price.  Yes was reading and looking at this one for about a month.  All the extras on it should make a really cool vehicle.

My wife does not look on here much but she does enjoy it once in awhile.  No need to clean up anything.  Think thats half the fun for her to see the crap everyone comes up with

Rob         hats off to your wife for taking that much interest,,,  a good woman indeed.