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M4A3 Sherman 105mm Howitzer

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  • Member since
    January 2012
M4A3 Sherman 105mm Howitzer
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 9:34 AM

Hi Fellas, I make this kit during the holidays between Dec-Jan.

so lets make a weekend kit, like the Tamiya oooooooooold really old Sherman M4A3 105 mm Howitzer just for the fun of it.

Lot of stuff can be done to correct here and there, adding PE, changing wheels for AFV, and hull from Italeri, etc..but forget it, this is a build to have fun, so is going out of the box, except for the metal barrel of course.

Here was my start during the spare time in the week. The kit is done in a few hours.

Tamiya Sherman Howitzer 105mm

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 9:34 AM

The next day, after sanding the lines in the turret and make some texture on it using the Tamiya thin glue (melting the plastic surface and making texture using a brush with stiff bristles.)

Primer was applied using a can from Walmart. Also the figure was base painted using vallejo colors.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 9:36 AM

The fun part begins, using black and white from tamiya, the step 1 of the black & white modulation.

 Sherman Black & White Modulation

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, April 8, 2016 11:05 AM

Wow, I've done colour modulation but always with a succession of lighter shades of olive drab. Never tried it with shades of greys like yours. Interested in seeing how she turns out. 

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

 

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 1:39 PM

Thank you! its like a preshading, but more complex, see the next pictures!

Step two of the Black & White modulation continues with detailing white parts using a brush with Vallejo white.

Look how the parts painted in brush pop out of the kit!

Tamiya Sherman Howitzer Black & white

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 1:56 PM

Step 3 of the Black & White Modulation adding glazes of Black, pin washes to underlines lines, holes, etc.

Some pre weathering also started.

Black & White Modulation

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 1:57 PM

Step 4 of the black & white modulation. Added some chipping, scratches and darker glazes and pinwashes and a more dark weathering.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 8, 2016 1:58 PM

make this gif file so you can see more clearly the progress between the Black & White steps and the changes.

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Friday, April 8, 2016 2:21 PM

Very cool, I don't think I've seen this technique before but I'm loving your results. Looking forward to the finished product. 

Btw: So you normally do the colour modulation with the tracks installed?

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

 

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Saturday, April 9, 2016 8:12 AM

You painting shows a superb mastery of the technique!

I'm just curious, are you going to do it in the style of Jose Luis Lopez, who wrote the superb book on this technique? I ask because you have painted the tank crewman in color, so I assume that you're going to now lay thin coats of OD over the model next?

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by blackdog62 on Sunday, April 10, 2016 9:51 PM

The suspense is killing me hurry up !!

really cool paint work.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Monday, April 11, 2016 6:52 AM

Starting with the color! 2 thin layers of faded olive drab using a mix of tamiya olive drab and dark yellow to change the tone a bit.

On a closer look you can see the details done in black & white showing between the layers.Don't worry this is not the final stage.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Monday, April 11, 2016 6:54 AM

After a good time drying, I put a filter using model master sand, then another filter using burnt umber. Last a wash using mig brown for dark green and a pin wash using PLW black night.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Monday, April 11, 2016 6:56 AM

And here is with the markings done using template from Lion Roar WWII US Vehicles Markings 1. First time using it and I must say I love the results.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Monday, April 11, 2016 6:58 AM

the Fading process using oils.


I used some blue oils for the shadows and some yellows for the highlights. I Blend the yellows and the blues separated from each other and here you can see the results.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Monday, April 11, 2016 7:00 AM

Well this fella has come to the finish line, Dust and mud added, figure done, lens lights added using Sticko silver dots, stowage is handmade using Aves Epoxy, just need to add a rope and some loose tools. Hope you like it, its a great kit considering the old it is.

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Monday, April 11, 2016 7:01 AM

And the final animation you can see the whole process in seconds to the final stage. Hope you like it and can help you work on yours!

 

Tamiya Sherman Color Modulation

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Monday, April 11, 2016 7:49 AM

Very cool! Thanks for the walk-though you've give me some great ideas there! 

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

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by Moff on Monday, April 11, 2016 9:10 AM

Nice build, the grime really has some nice depth to it, and I like the rich yellow tone of the Olive Drab.

Also, thanks for giving the name of the brand of sticky reflective dots you use. I've been looking for some nice sticky dots for a long time, but they're surprisingly hard to find. 

"Gaiety is the most outstanding feature of the Soviet Union." - Josef Stalin 

  • Member since
    September 2013
Posted by blackdog62 on Monday, April 11, 2016 1:11 PM

Very nice indeed. just gos to show that modelin doesn't have to be a big budget afair.

I like building older models and even kits that don't fit that well doesn't bother me.

I'm so old school I use to buy models from every corner store. Quality was not that great on many of them. I think you took this older kit and did a fabulous job thanks for showing us.

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Western North Carolina
Posted by Tojo72 on Monday, April 11, 2016 1:38 PM

Wow,your finishing techniques are really impressive.

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Texas
Posted by wbill76 on Monday, April 11, 2016 6:26 PM

An impressive result with the technique and depth of finish. Nice! Beer 

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Monday, April 11, 2016 6:58 PM

For anyone interested in this technique, Jose Luis Lopez has a book dedicated to it. It's pretty informative.

  • Member since
    January 2016
  • From: A Galaxy Far, Far Away
Posted by Hunter on Monday, April 11, 2016 7:08 PM

the doog

For anyone interested in this technique, Jose Luis Lopez has a book dedicated to it. It's pretty informative.

 

Karl - 

I have seen the book that you are talking about. And you are correct about it being informative. Very well written and detailed book. Jose is very good at what he does.

Hunter 

      

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posted by ridleusmc on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 3:41 AM

Awesome work, and thank you for walking us through your painting and weathering process.  I'm working on the assembly of an M4A1 76mm right now.  Your painting and weathering processes have given me much to think about.   

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: Pineapple Country, Queensland, Australia
Posted by Wirraway on Friday, April 15, 2016 6:46 AM

Congrats... a real trophy winner that one !

"Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional"

" A hobby should pass the time - not fill it"  -Norman Bates

 

GIF animations generator gifup.com

  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by catdude01 on Friday, April 22, 2016 10:41 AM
Thank you everyone! I hope this work can inspire others, after all this is a hobby and the result should be good times and improvement with each kit.
  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by jibber on Friday, April 22, 2016 1:40 PM

I think you've mastered those techniques, every stage is a thing of beauty and in the end, the model speaks for itself.

It shows that even an old Tamiya kit can a great choice and a pleasure to build.

Terry 

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