Hi Guys, it's been awhile since I posted on here or had any updates on some of my posted builds, but for the last few months now I have been working on this 1/6th scale Dragon M4A3 kit. The model itself was built for commission and will be going to a private collector.
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/snow/DSCN0020.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/snow/DSCN0026.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/snow/DSCN0017.JPG)
The model started off as a Dragon 1/6th scale M4A3(105) kit, The tank was built as a 75mm M4A3 as per the request of the customer.
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/start/DSC01234.JPG)
The model received tons of mods and new upgraded details. Basically outside of the upper / lower hull, turret, gun / mantlet none of the kit components were used. In their place I used the resin and metal components that I have and use on my 1/6 scale sherman builds (VVSS suspension, track racks, storage rack, hull fittings...etc).
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01468.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/front/DSC01471.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01491.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01432.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_hull/DSC01248.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/suspension/DSC01306.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/suspension/DSC01325.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/suspension/DSC01313.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/suspension/DSC01314.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/front/DSC01379.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/front/DSC01368.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01473.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01480.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01495.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01495.JPG)
several of the molded in parts were cutaway and were replaced, some parts are carry overs for the 1/35 kits and are not needed for the A3, but were not instructed to be removed
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01498.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01442.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01444.JPG)
One part in particular that was molded in that I replaced was the rear grill work, The molded in kit ones were removed and I had 3d Printed replacements crafted in their place
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/m4a3_sherman%20egine%20grill/DSC01492.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/m4a3_sherman%20egine%20grill/DSC01496.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/m4a3_sherman%20egine%20grill/DSC01503.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/ready_4_paint/DSC01498.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/98/DSC01514.JPG)
Some of the kit parts were salvaged like the rear exhaust deflector grill, but was modded as the OOB version was too large, Once modded I was also able to make it fold under the tank like the real unit, To do this I also had to mod the rear area of the hull as the DML version was inaccurate
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01366.png)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01370.png)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01416.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01473.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/rear_wall/DSC01475.JPG)
Other components were retooled to have better interior and exterior detailing, This would include the bow and turret hatches
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/dml_sherman_a3_bow_hatch/DSC01379.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/bow_hatch/DSC01380.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/ready_4_paint/DSC01507.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01500.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01444.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/dml_shell_port/DSC01522.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/dml_shell_port/DSC01522.JPG)
Another part in particular that I replaced as the kit one was terminal was the commander copula, The kit one is under detailed, but is also underscaled. I fabricated a new one and replaced it
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/split_hatch_copula/late_split_hatch/DSC01497.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/split_hatch_copula/late_split_hatch/DSC01488.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/split_hatch_copula/late_split_hatch/DSC01492.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/sherman_parts/split_hatch_copula/late_split_hatch/DSC01502.JPG)
Other mods include adding a spring to the gun elevation system, as the kit one was terribly frail and weak, and adding cast texture to all aprpriate components / sections.
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01468.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01469.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/tool_posts_turret/DSC01476.JPG)
The tank was painted / weathered , and has all painted on markings. Once done I added new track and new tools with straps
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/weathering/DSC01537.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/weathering/DSC01520.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/98/DSC01525.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/98/DSC01503.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/98/DSC01506.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/98/DSC01510.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/done/DSC01509.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/98/DSC01515.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/weathering/DSC01524.JPG)
To complete the tank I added a white metal M2HB and M23 cradle to the pintle mount.
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/done/DSC01513.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/done/DSC01507.JPG)
![](http://eastcoastarmory.com/forumpic/dmlsherman/commission/done/DSC01523.JPG)
Like with my other builds I made update videos of this tank, and posted them on youtube,
http://youtu.be/DstXSSCCC18
http://youtu.be/PNzGjXTBuFY
http://youtu.be/kzQ_bQfJV7A
http://youtu.be/c36joNlkTC8
http://youtu.be/eg7B0Bfi480
http://youtu.be/6gOURCirgJ4
http://youtu.be/CqhW3u8voZ8
http://youtu.be/-8uXU5gIhdg
http://youtu.be/tnDLRdVbTEg
In addition to the videos Many more pics were posted on the ECA facebook page,
http://www.facebook.com/EastCoastArmory
Now that this build is out of the way I'm now focusing on another commission build in the same scale... only this one is an RC armortek Tiger I
![](https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10452354_403866423107407_5111332738058362599_n.jpg?oh=3b0dc855b25dfccb3b3f183e61cd4142&oe=55822A4F&__gda__=1431513125_a81805d0a7c955712daa1cbf660648bd)