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Tamiya 1/35 M4A3 Sherman 105mm ***Finished***

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  • Member since
    February 2011
Tamiya 1/35 M4A3 Sherman 105mm ***Finished***
Posted by GreySnake on Friday, October 16, 2020 9:37 PM
This is going to be a weird WIP as the model is already painted, decaled and weathering started. Figured I’d help liven up the forum and motivate myself to finish this project.
The Tamiya kit was started last year and put back in the box with just the bogies started. A couple months ago decided it was finally time to finish it and have been working on it off and on since then. A few modifications were done to the kit such as improving the cast texture on the final drive cover and turret, filling the empty sponsons, replacing a few parts with left over parts from the Dragon Sherman MK. II, adding better weld beads, drilling out the fuel drain holes and replacing the 105 mm howitzer with an aftermarket one.
 
Before painting the Olive Drab I the model was painted with Tamiya NATO black both as a primer and as a shadow coat. The Olive Drab is a mix of Tamiya XF-62 and some XF-60 to lighten it and I feel I could have gone a little lighter. The kit decals left much to be desired and the stars really fought me wanting to sliver.  
 
My next steps are to finally resume the weathering progress as only the right lower hull has gotten any attention. I’m also going to go back to the wood on the tools and repaint those as I’m not happy with how they look at the moment.
  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Friday, October 16, 2020 10:36 PM

You can't go wrong with a Sherman. Now slap some mud and grime on that kit and make is all dirty. Stick out tongue

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    September 2005
  • From: Groton, CT
Posted by warshipguy on Saturday, October 17, 2020 9:05 AM

How many of us have models in a similar unfinished condition?  I suspect that most of us fit into that category.  This might inspire us to finish a few!

I like your Sherman!

Bill

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, October 17, 2020 10:26 AM
Thank you, BK and Bill.
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, October 17, 2020 2:44 PM

Don’t forget that this style of track has rubber pads, and only the end connectors are bare metal.

Im looking forward to seeing what you do with this one.

 

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

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: East Stroudsburg, PA
Posted by TigerII on Saturday, October 17, 2020 5:28 PM

Nice work Stik. 

Achtung Panzer! Colonel General Heinz Guderian
  • Member since
    August 2020
  • From: Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia.
Posted by Dodgy on Saturday, October 17, 2020 5:55 PM

I shall watch and learn. I have only built one Sherman and that was in 1/76? An old Esci kit with interior. Way back in the 80's.

I long to live in a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Sunday, October 18, 2020 11:25 AM
Stik, I thought something about the tracks didn’t look right I now I know what it is. Thank you for alerting me to the problem. Tracks are easy to get off and will be fixed today. 
 
Weathering was done on the lower hull yesterday using Kursk Soil by Ammo. A lot of areas will need to be gone over again to get the proper effect I’m looking for. Disregard the tracks since those are going to be repainted.
Today the upper hull should start to get some weathering and details picked out along with fixing the tracks! Thanks again stik! 
 
 
 
Also wanted to ask everyone if there was any interest in seeing the other three builds I’m working on? The Tiger II has been on the shelf for a year now with not much progress. The Char B1 was completed last year and I disliked how it turned out and stripped it back down to the plastic. The Stug III I lost interest on because one of the Tamiya tracks snapped on it. My goal is to complete these models before the New Year.
 
  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Sunday, October 18, 2020 3:28 PM

Is there any interest in seeing you finish those other three builds?! 

Damn skippy there is!

Any time you're ready. 

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, October 18, 2020 5:26 PM

She looks good! And I've painted the rubber pad tracks grey but by the time I ended up covering them with dirt and dust they looked about the same brownish shade as they would if I'd painted them over with track primer brown. 

Would love to see you build any of those. I think I like the Char B1 the best though- I love the French camo schemes.

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

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, October 24, 2020 6:22 PM
I was busier than I expected since the last update and only got a couple hours of building time in everyday. The Sherman is nearing completion and “should” be completed in the next few days.
Here is the model right now with the tracks repainted correctly.
 
The lower hull is weathered with Ammo Kursk Soil #1400. Streaking effects are Ammo Streaking Grime #1203 along with AK Interactive Light Rust Wash #046. The weld seams and other details were picked out with AK Interactive Dark Brown Wash #045.
 
 
The turret is the next area that requires attention as only some of the details have been picked out with the dark brown wash. The rubber on the road wheels need a little more weathering in some spots as well.
 
I’ll make a post for the Char B1 tonight or tomorrow as time permits. Other then the Sherman that’s been my main focus at the moment.
  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Tumwater, WA.
Posted by M. Brindos on Saturday, October 24, 2020 9:23 PM

Very nice!

I'm a fan of the clean, but driven look myself. This is most pleasing.

- Mike Brindos "Lost Boy"

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Saturday, October 24, 2020 9:32 PM
Moving along nicely

  • Member since
    August 2020
  • From: Lakes Entrance, Victoria, Australia.
Posted by Dodgy on Monday, October 26, 2020 3:46 AM

Too right I'm interested in seeing those others finished. As I said in an earlier post I have a lot to learn. Your Sherman is looking great.

I long to live in a world where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Monday, October 26, 2020 12:39 PM
Thank you Mike!
 
 
Tojo72 thank you!
 
 
Dodgy thank you! Once the Sherman is finished I’ll probably start work back up on the StuG III as its very close to being finished.
  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, November 7, 2020 6:45 AM
Sherman is finished. I got pretty sick with a case of bronchitis earlier last week and finally had the energy to finish this model a couple days ago. Not pleased with the antenna mount Tamiya included too late to replace it now.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Saturday, November 7, 2020 2:55 PM

That came out nice GS. You may want to go back and check the shovel. The yoke portion of the upper handle is made from metal and only the cross handle is wood.

 

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

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Monday, November 16, 2020 11:31 AM
Thank you Stik and for letting me know about the shovel. It’s been fixed.  
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, November 16, 2020 12:11 PM
She finished up real nice

  • Member since
    June 2014
Posted by BrandonK on Monday, November 16, 2020 12:48 PM

Really nice work, GS. I love me them Shermans. Thanks for taking us along on this one.

BK

On the bench:

A lot !! And I mean A LOT!!

2024 Kits on deck / in process / completed   

                         14 / 5 / 2  

                              Tongue Tied

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, November 16, 2020 3:25 PM

That looks grand Greysnake!!! Nice work!!!

Hope you're feeling better now.

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

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, November 21, 2020 8:30 AM
Thank you Tojo, BK and Gamera! 
 
Now I’m tempted to pull another Sherman out of the stash and make that one better. Leaning towards the Tamiya M51 or the Asuka Firefly.
  • Member since
    September 2006
  • From: Dripping Springs, TX, USA
Posted by RBaer on Saturday, November 21, 2020 9:24 AM

Shermans are like chicken soup for the soul.....    This one looks good, no doubt.

The Tami M51 is a good build, everything fits and it's very accurate as is. Of course anything Asuka is (accurate) as well, just a more involved build.

Apprentice rivet counter.

  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Central Florida
Posted by plasticjunkie on Saturday, November 28, 2020 3:27 PM

Came out looking very good GS. Beer I have this one in the stash along with a couple of other Shermans.

 GIFMaker.org_jy_Ayj_O

 

 

Too many models to build, not enough time in a lifetime!!

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, December 5, 2020 7:34 AM
Thank you RBaer and PJ! 
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