My first Sherman...opinions needed

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd482/jhmartin1/100_0004.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd482/jhmartin1/100_0002.jpg

http://i1222.photobucket.com/albums/dd482/jhmartin1/100_0003.jpg

Before it's mentioned, the fuel drums are 1:48 scale. I didn't realize it until I already had them glued on.

If you put your picture link between image codes; like these [ i m g] link here [/ i mg] (without spaces), your picture will show up.  Also, you do not need to put them in different posts.

The Sherman looks pretty good.  The rust is too heavy for me though.  Also, the mud on the hull should also be on the wheels and tracks.  Yup, I would get rid of the fuel cans and replace them w/ 1/35 cans.  Other than being way too small, they are also missing their handles.  Other than that, it looks like you did a good job on it.

HeavyArty, Thanks for the advice! I know the fuel drums look WAY too small. This Sherman was more of a test piece. I have two more on the workbench, A Dragon and Tamiya M4A3.

The mud on the hull was a test using pastels and water to see how it looks. I know I went overboard on the rust/streaks. Hopefully my next two will come out better! :)

thanks for your pictures.  If I may make a few suggestions.  Know that the engine grates served a purpose -- they kept airflow to the engine.  Not all Sherman types had the engine grille like the M4A3s but when you're dealing with them, leave the grille mostly unobstructed.  Chains: you only really see them on early war French and Soviet vehicles.  Why?  They're useless in reality -- tanks use(d) cables instead.  Plus that pile of chain you have on the left rear corner is just begging to come off and entangle the tracks.  Finally, most logs carried by tanks were used to assist them to get out of deep mud -- not as supplemental armor per se.  As such, those anchor chains you have holding them seem out of place.  As you build more, your eye for what's functional and useful to a 2-inch tall figure will grow. Ask yourself: would you store something there if you didn't want to lose it?  if you didn't want it to obstruct your terribly small periscopes?  If you didn't want it to obstruct your turret rotation or gun elevation?  Could it fall off and make a hazard or be easily stolen?  Filled 50 gallon drums weigh 500 pounds each  --how would they be tied in place??  Would you carry 150 of flammable liquid above your engine compartment?

Just some things to consider.  Keep up the good work.

excellent points made by t2....but still looks cool to me.

Just a tip: Gear everywhere has to be tied down or bolted on.. The roadwheels you have on the glacis are fine, but how are they staying there? Answer is, they wouldn't.. BUT..

You could use a piece of strip-styrene across them at the hole, then add a nut/bolt/washer to it.  You could spend they money and get some grandt-Line nut/bolt/waher castings (Model RR Dept) or (and this is my personal method) shave the NBW off of a spare Panther (or similar type) roadwheel and then glue it on the strip. 

No lack of effort here!

Flaws or no flaws,I love it.

I don't know enough about armor to comment on what goes where or not but to my eye your paint and technique looks pretty sweet!

Thanks everyone for the compliments and advice!

I thought I put this in the original post, but maybe not...I still haven't added the ropes to hold the stowage down. There's a lot thats still a work in progress. This is my first Sherman and I'm learning all the techniques I can.

It may not be all historically correct, but I'm having fun with this build. Even if I am constantly changing things! :)