Alot of general questions about tank modeling

A scratch-built model is one built without few or any kit parts, being, as the name suggests, scratch-built.  What exactly are you trying to achieve?  There are kits for every variant of Sherman I think (Dragon especially), and there's the new Super Sherman kit from Tamiya too.

what i mean is like a bare bones basic sherman that i can pep up with scratch built parts

oh and one more question , is there a scale cement for bricks? like for masonry

I'll take a stab at these... my answers are in bold within your quote, below.

guiltyspark

1. What are some kits that are great for practicing scratchbuilding? i would like to do a sherman if possible.

Well, since the level of detail on newer kits is pretty high (Dragon, Tristar, Tamiya), I'd say your best bet is an older kit. I'd lean towards Tamiya. I've got a couple scratchbuilding projects going on right now, both on Tamiya kits.

2. The sherman zippo flamethrower tank , does anyone make this model?

Are you looking specifically for the "Zippo" tank? That is, the M4A3R3 used at Iwo?

I don't know if you can find it, but Cyberr-Hobby did the M4A3 Flamethrower kit (#024). It comes with a set of US Marines, Korea figures.

3.If i were to invest in some enamel paints what would be a good couple of colors to get ? i mainly paint acrylic.

I shoot acrylics too. Are you planning to switch to enamels or just want a few to round out your paint supply. Truth be told, the only enamels that I have are the 'Metalizer' colors - mostly gunmetal and brass. Other than that, not many enamels make their way onto my builds.

4.what is the best type of glue to use for individual track links?

Ooooo, good question. You want a slow setting, brushable, liquid cement. I use Testors. Once you apply it, you've got about an hour before it sets up, so you can leave the track runs to set for a bit (I wait about 45 minutes) and still have some time to work them into place and add any sag.

5.is there a major difference between milliput yellow grey and milliput ultra fine?

Don't know.

6. Does anyone else other than trumpeter make the 203mm russian tracked howitzer ?

Don't know, but I doubt it. Well, let me rephrase that - I doubt there is another kit in plastic. It would not surprise me to find it in resin (and wicked expensive).

WAIT: Scratch that. A quick google search led me to this:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10144919

I don't know anything about the company or about the kit, but there you have it.

By the way, AFV Club does make an ammo set for this beast.

7. what are the highest quality non resin 1/35 figure manufacturers

So, plastic? Umm, Dragon figures, particularly the Gen2, are pretty good. So are Tristar. I know Miniart has a lot of figure sets out, but I'm not familiar with them.

Hope this was helpful.

guiltyspark

1. What are some kits that are great for practicing scratchbuilding? i would like to do a sherman if possible.

I think the Tamiya Shermans would be a good place to start. They're missing the sponsons, so that's a good place to begin scratchbuilding. 

2. The sherman zippo flamethrower tank , does anyone make this model?

Dragon makes one.

3.If i were to invest in some enamel paints what would be a good couple of colors to get ? i mainly paint acrylic.

What will you be painting? If tanks themselves, things like olive drab. If for weathering, Model Master dunkelgrau is excellent for drybrushing. Raw umber for washes. 

4.what is the best type of glue to use for individual track links?

Uhh...nothing too hot like Tenax. I know a lot of people prefer good old Testors liquid. Me? I spring for Friuls. 

5.is there a major difference between milliput yellow grey and milliput ultra fine?

6. Does anyone else other than trumpeter make the 203mm russian tracked howitzer ? 

7. what are the highest quality non resin 1/35 figure manufacturers

I'm not the expert, but I have to say I'm pretty impressed by Zvezda's figures. 

DoogsATX

I'm not the expert, but I have to say I'm pretty impressed by Zvezda's figures. 

Yup, there's one I forgot. Again, I'm not familiar with them, but have heard good things.

thank you very much that was a good help and yes that was the sherman i was looking for , but i dont know how different the korean one would be from the one used at iwo .

Also about the metalizer , isnt it spray only?

guiltyspark

Also about the metalizer , isnt it spray only?

Technically, yes, but I brush it all the time. At least on smaller stuff - MG barrels, tools, etc. You have to mix it up really well, and clean your brush regularly. I've never had any real problem brushing it.

PS I'm not sure how different the two flamethrower tanks would be (Iwo vs. Korea). I mean, they are both M4A3s, so i don't think they'd be too different. The Cyber-Hobby one would probably easily pass muster as an Iwo one except to the most discerning eye.

Guiltyspark:  there are several How-To books available.  Everything from painting, to building, to scratchbuilding, to diorama making.  Do the Google thing and purchase several.

i have read a bunch of them thats why im asking these questions , for example they use enamels alot and i dont understand what the benifit is

guiltyspark

i have read a bunch of them thats why im asking these questions , for example they use enamels alot and i dont understand what the benifit is

There is a good thread in the Painting and Airbrushing' forum that might answer some of those questions:

/forums/p/10606/90642.aspx#90642

Personally, I have embraced acrylics because I think they have improved dramatically over the years and I'd rather do my clean up with water and some windex rather than mineral spirits.

Hey guiltyspark

I just found an image of the flamethrower Sherman in Korea. Like the Iwo tank, it is also identified as an M4A3R3, so I think you're good to go if you want to backdate the Cyber-hobby kit to 1945. Probably only a couple of really small tweaks (and like I said before, most people wouldn't recognize if you made them or not!)

The M4A3R3 is an HVSS based off the Easy Eight chassis. First ones were introduced to service in September 1944. 

I can swear Dragon makes this tank (and not the Cyber-Hobby kit) and that I've seen it numerous times. Pretty sure there was even one at the recent Austin contest.

DoogsATX

I can swear Dragon makes this tank (and not the Cyber-Hobby kit) and that I've seen it numerous times. Pretty sure there was even one at the recent Austin contest.

You know, I think you are right, Doogs. Definately rings a bell.

Here are a few links to info about the M4A3R3 on Iwo that I found at Armorama:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=105604

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=SquawkBox&file=index&req=viewtopic&topic_id=106843

Hope you get some good info out of these.

Here's the Sherman flamer from the ASMS show. 

Kicking myself for not taking pictures of the entry forms...