that is straight up bada$$.............................................................................................

Thanks, guys.

I was shopping tracks on HobbyEasy and LuckyModel, should be putting an order in next week sometime unless I score something tomorrow. I did order a crew guy from Sprue Bros a few minutes ago, so it begins.....

Awesome!

Wow, it sure is coming out great!  Thanks again for sharing your awesome invention! :)

Thanks, guys.

I've been playing around with a Merkava while I pondered the tracks, but I've decided, so I should have this wrapped up soon, or at least moving along again....

Good call on the timing thing, Russ. Always better to give a model your best and then feel confident about it as it's on the table getting scrutinized.

It's looking good so far--hope you get the track issue sorted out!

Thanks, Karl. I feel pretty much the same.

I think I have my track dilemma figured out, but it'll mean cutting up two sets of DS tracks. It's one of those Dragon things, but the tracks they supply in the M26 kit are actually too short, supposedly they fit the M46, but I really don't see how. Anyway, onward soon.

Ah, modeling. I spent about three hours last night making one set of tracks from two, glueing on 158 teenie guide horns, painting two complete track runs, and then realizing the Dragon tracks are at least 1mm too wide. They don't fit the Tamiya drive sprockets. Rats! 

Somewhere I'm sure I have some HVSS Sherman sprockets, but rather than attack a virtually finished model, I grabbed some Friuls from a shelf queen and moved on. 

Pics:

One side is looser than the other, and one link out simply won't reconnect. The joys of modeling tanks with offset torsion bars. Anyway, it's back on track.

It looks great, Russ!  Very much admire your skill and imagination in bringing this "coulda-maybe shoulda-been" vehicle to life.

I wonder how that baby would drive with the Cummins Diesel engine compared to the of Ford GAF?

Even with the track issue she's shaping up very nicely.

Sure looks the part! Nicely done!

I bought a set of AFV Club tracks advertised as "M4 T-51" tracks. Guess not for an A4 longer hull. They came out about 3/4" too short each. Lucky my tank has side skirts!

But you'da thunk they could have afforded to toss in an extra sprue (kit came with 7).

That is looking really sweet. I really, really like this one Baer. Love the tanks you build.  :)

RBaer

Thanks, guys.

I kind of think that the IDF would have passed on the M26 due to the fact that it was under-powered, but you never know. Of course, my "what-if" fixes that....

Thanks guys.

qcarr, I've heard the M26 was a bit of a dog, so maybe the Cummins would have turned it into something of a hot rod.

Cliff, I think I'm okay with one side being a tad loose, and I've really got no choice in the matter.

Other than that, it's all good.

G, AFV Club has some one-piece tracks for Shermans also, all seem a tad short. Hmmm....  and the irony of Germany having "Pattons" in inventory is sweet.

Mike, thank you. I entertain myself.....

Looking fine.

Thanks, Lee.

The beginning of stowage:

Turret stowed up, bin cover base coated:

I also got the driver's hatch painted. I think I'm going to stay with the slightly different color, makes it look like a replacement, like the one return roller I painted OD.

Again, I like where you're going here!

As do I! This is so well done that I can believe it existed.  :)

Very, very good.

Stowage always bring a tank to real world, where people actually use them...

Like the color also.

Thanks, guys. I really like doing IDF what-ifs, seems like there are endless possibilities, the only "hard" part is not doing something the IDF already did.

Mike, that's my goal with these things, to make them more like "why nots" instead of "what-ifs".

I like it. The concept is very agreeable.  :)

I like this.

Thanks, guys. I hope to finish this one up soon.

A wee bit more done: Gas/water cans in, stowage painted and dusted.

In the home stretch now and lookin' good!

Thanks, Cliff.

I'm starting to think about a base, not sure if I want something "urban" or not.

Beautiful!

Thanks, Lee.

I realized I have yet to make up the securing straps for the track links stowed on the turret sides, then I still need a TC fig, but his MG is almost ready. Lenses, maybe another tow cable....   then a base and I should be able to call this one done. Anyway, tow pics today, showing the stowed tow cable on the rear and buckles added to the jerry can straps:

What a great looking build RB. I can certainly see it beating back Egyptian or Syrian tanks!!