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Finished AFV Club M41A3

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  • Member since
    March 2013
Finished AFV Club M41A3
Posted by MikeyBugs95 on Friday, September 5, 2014 9:38 PM

I recently finished AFV Club's offering of the M41A3 Walker Bulldog light tank. Let me tell you that it's a beautiful kit. I'd definitely buy more if I could. Well, here are the pictures:

Next for me is a TamiYA M4A3E8 that I'll be building for a campaign I've entered.

 In progress:

CAD:

1/35 SINCGARS ICOM/ASIP; 1/35 Flat screen TVs; 1/35 tactical light that I shall reveal later Devil

Models:

1/35 DML M4A1 DV; AFV Club M18 Hellcat; DML StuG IV; DML Armored Jeep w/ .50 cal; Panda Cougar 4x4 MRAP; Academy M3A1 Stuart; 1/700 Midship Models USS Miami; 1/700 Skywave Rudderow Destroyer Escort

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, September 5, 2014 9:49 PM

That looks like a beautiful building kit indeed. I like it. Looks like you got a bit of decal silvering on the left side fender stowage box, but nothing horrible. Well done MB!

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by MikeyBugs95 on Friday, September 5, 2014 9:54 PM

Thank you. Yeah it was a bit of a complex area, a bit, and I only had the ModelMaster decal set so I wasn't able to get it all out. Actually the hardest area to decal were the turret sides. I already had the grab handles glued so I had to cut them off, apply the decal, then reglue the handles back on. It was pretty nerve wracking for me because I actually cut through a few at the base.

 In progress:

CAD:

1/35 SINCGARS ICOM/ASIP; 1/35 Flat screen TVs; 1/35 tactical light that I shall reveal later Devil

Models:

1/35 DML M4A1 DV; AFV Club M18 Hellcat; DML StuG IV; DML Armored Jeep w/ .50 cal; Panda Cougar 4x4 MRAP; Academy M3A1 Stuart; 1/700 Midship Models USS Miami; 1/700 Skywave Rudderow Destroyer Escort

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Friday, September 5, 2014 10:57 PM

Very nice save on the turret decals! You did really nicely with the weathering to blend teh decals in to the finish. Especially on the turret.

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by T26E4 on Saturday, September 6, 2014 6:43 AM

@Mikey: remember, the decal set stuff only is useful if you use it in combination with a gloss coat on the area where you're placing the decal.  All the decal set in the world won't help if you don't have a shiny surface beneath the decal - and silvering will always be a problem unless you do that first.

Whey you say "Tamiya M4A3E8" kit 25175, you mean the new one that includes the 4-figure set?  That's the sweet Tasca mold.  It's a beauty -- the only real complex area are the HVSS -- but you probably know that.  If  you're talking about the early 70s, ex-motorized, Tamiya M4A3E8 -- then you're in for a big let down.  It's more of a collector's toy than a nice model kit.

Roy Chow 

Join AMPS!

http://www.amps-armor.org

 

 

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by MikeyBugs95 on Saturday, September 6, 2014 7:03 AM

I know about the gloss coat,  T26E4, which is why I had put down a coat of Future before I decals. And yes, I'm talking about the new Tamiya/Tasca kit.

 In progress:

CAD:

1/35 SINCGARS ICOM/ASIP; 1/35 Flat screen TVs; 1/35 tactical light that I shall reveal later Devil

Models:

1/35 DML M4A1 DV; AFV Club M18 Hellcat; DML StuG IV; DML Armored Jeep w/ .50 cal; Panda Cougar 4x4 MRAP; Academy M3A1 Stuart; 1/700 Midship Models USS Miami; 1/700 Skywave Rudderow Destroyer Escort

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by T26E4 on Saturday, September 6, 2014 11:03 AM

cool.  The only tips I have for you with the M4A3E8 are these:

1) If you use the 2 piece armored exhaust deflector, watch out about alignment.  I was careless and caused misalignment that was a PAIN to repair

2) When you add the side skirt attachment points, follow the suggestion in the directions to start from the front and go to the rear.  A small part (~1mm) juts out from the back. It's supposed to be there.

There are other 'super detail' items if you wanna go down that rabbit hole.  If so, contact me via PM.

Roy Chow 

Join AMPS!

http://www.amps-armor.org

 

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation
Posted by DUSTER on Sunday, September 7, 2014 4:46 PM

Well done the job has captured the idea of a M41A3 to me.

  A small hint for your next  finished project pictures . Have a plain background ( bath towel, light color sheet /pillow case, or whatever is handy. Just prop it up  set the model in place and as the Brits (for some unknown reason    ) "bobs yer uncle"  . That will  help show off your model to its best advantage. The current background , is too cluttered (wish my bench was that clear) and detracts from the model and obscures some of you fine work. 

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet  Confused

  • Member since
    March 2013
Posted by MikeyBugs95 on Sunday, September 7, 2014 6:06 PM

I sometimes do that with the inside of some box I have. And frankly I think I'd rather have your bench than mine. My bench is a large clear container on the floor of my room. With the cover warped inwards do to weight of various paints and whatnot.  

 In progress:

CAD:

1/35 SINCGARS ICOM/ASIP; 1/35 Flat screen TVs; 1/35 tactical light that I shall reveal later Devil

Models:

1/35 DML M4A1 DV; AFV Club M18 Hellcat; DML StuG IV; DML Armored Jeep w/ .50 cal; Panda Cougar 4x4 MRAP; Academy M3A1 Stuart; 1/700 Midship Models USS Miami; 1/700 Skywave Rudderow Destroyer Escort

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, September 7, 2014 6:24 PM

Looks good, nice work!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation
Posted by DUSTER on Monday, September 8, 2014 12:46 AM

 Well from the quality of work shown you're doin' fine.  

So, when you  get or make a bench you'll be golden.

 

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet  Confused

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