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1/35 Cyber Hobby M4A4 Sherman

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  • Member since
    November 2012
1/35 Cyber Hobby M4A4 Sherman
Posted by udel09 on Saturday, August 1, 2015 11:23 AM
Completed Cyber Hobby's M4A4 Sherman a month ago. The build was OOB with some Tamiya extras for stowage. I originally planned to build a Chinese vehicle but settled on a Free French build. The model built up nice, but the front transmission housing was a pain to construct and the DS tracks were a little long. The instructions were also pretty poor. Vallejo acrylics were used for painting. Comments and critiques welcome!
Tags: French , M4A4 , Sherman
  • Member since
    September 2013
  • From: San Antonio, Texas
Posted by Marcus McBean on Saturday, August 1, 2015 11:53 AM

You did a really nice job, like the weathering and the extras.

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Saturday, August 1, 2015 6:45 PM

Nice job. Sorry to hear about those stupid DS tracks. I am sick with disgust that Dragon is forcing these retrograde rubber bands on us. You could use pins to force them down? The bottom photo is really noticeable.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: State of Mississippi. State motto: Virtute et armis (By valor and arms)
Posted by mississippivol on Saturday, August 1, 2015 7:53 PM

Nice job!

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by T26E4 on Saturday, August 1, 2015 10:12 PM

Udel: Thanks for posting.  What I'm going to give you are a list of nitpicks b/c I'm a Sherman nut.  Please feel free to ignore them -- you've done a great job.    But here goes:

1) The applique patch on the left hull is too far fwd.  Their placement was to guard the ammo bin stored behind the driver.  Next Sherman, pay special attention to the plate placement (if they're required) toadmanstankpictures.com/firefly_10.jpg

2) tail lights.  US made vehicles had only the upper left oval in red.  Below it was a black slit.  On the right tail light, were only two black slits -- no red there.

3) the long pry bar on the right hull roof edge -- both ends were brackets that were painted OD

4) the spare fire extinguishers on the rear corners of the engine deck -- were a British add-on.  Wouldn't be found on French M4A4s.

5) applique armor plate above hull .30cal MG should not have a gap (which would have been a nasty shot trap).  Next time, fill it in:  toadmanstankpictures.com/firefly_22.jpg

6) your rear fenders are incorrect.  There should not be toed-in but straight across -- regardless, with M4A4s with the dust guard mounting strips like your kit has, no rear fender was carried. They should just be removed.

Good luck.  LIke I said, these are pretty specific DML M4A4 nitpicks -- feel free to ignore. Keep up the solid work.  Post pictures of your projects in progress and people can give you pointers along the way, if you wish. 

Roy Chow 

Join AMPS!

http://www.amps-armor.org

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2012
Posted by udel09 on Sunday, August 2, 2015 4:07 PM

Thanks for the comments everyone!

Doog - With the M4A4's extended hull when compared to the other Sherman variants I was worried the DS tracks would be a little short, but they must have been created specifically for this variant but they added just a few more links than what were needed.  I was going to try forcing them down but wasn't sure what was the more evil of the two options, simulating sag on tracks that were kept tight or having them defy gravity and float.  

Roy - Thanks for all the feedback.  I must admit I jumped right into this build and did not do any research on lend lease vehicles, or even considered modeling a French M4A4.  That website you referenced is great and I will definitely reference it on my future Sherman builds.  

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 2, 2015 6:06 PM

Nicely done. I like the subtle weathering.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, August 2, 2015 6:25 PM

Really nice work!!!

Funny about the tracks, I've used the DS tracks before and really liked them. You couldn't cut one link out of them and have them fit?

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

 

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 2, 2015 6:30 PM

Cliff, I've used them once and I think you can. I can't speak for those tracks though.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, August 2, 2015 6:46 PM

Thanks Eric! Actually thinking about it the M4A4 I built had the DS tracks and they fit fine, it was an Orange Box kit though, I'd think they'd be the same being another Dragon product but am not totally sure.

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

 

  • Member since
    June 2015
Posted by jersey66 on Sunday, August 2, 2015 6:56 PM

I nice build, like the decals it gives it some color Yes

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Rain USA, Vancouver WA
Posted by tigerman on Sunday, August 2, 2015 7:08 PM

This is my crappy Elefant with DS tracks. Didn't know much about weathering at the time.LOL At the time, the tracks were a lifesaver.

   http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y269/wing_nut_5o/PANZERJAGERGB.jpg

 Eric 

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Cincinnati Ohio
Posted by DantheMan85 on Monday, August 17, 2015 2:35 PM

Udel09 I think your Sherman looks great, the added stoage on the back is a nice touch.  Have a Taska Easy Eight in the works, think I'll put some stoage on.

On my Work Bench: Tamiya Ford GT 1/24

Up Coming: ?

           

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, August 17, 2015 2:38 PM

Seem to have overlooked this one. Thats a nice looking build. I know zilch about the Sherman, but the guys seem to have given you some good tips.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    March 2016
Posted by Roodworld on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 7:59 AM

Sorry, I'm new here,trying to get some help with 2 M-4 Shermans that Im building. I'm not that good at this,so please bear with me and my frustration. I 'm looking for after market tracks for the 2,made by Tamiya. The AFV Club ones didn't work,they're a bit too small,causing the track to not mesh properly on the drive sprocket. So now I'm looking for 2 sets of tracks that I can paint,weather for the Tamiyas and a Sherman that'll put the AFV Club tracks to use. Any ideas??

 

 

  • Member since
    February 2006
  • From: Cincinnati Ohio
Posted by DantheMan85 on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 11:48 AM

Excellent job on your Sherman, like the stoage on the back deck.

On my Work Bench: Tamiya Ford GT 1/24

Up Coming: ?

           

 

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