It looks like such a nice kit.  It's highly reviewed.  Are you making any adjustments to the kit parts, or are you adding any aftermarket stuff?  

-Chris

She's lookin' good so far! 

ridleusmc

It looks like such a nice kit.  It's highly reviewed.  Are you making any adjustments to the kit parts, or are you adding any aftermarket stuff?  

-Chris

 

Yes I will be adding some things to the kit.  The kit so far is typical Tamiya fit and is going together very well.

Gamera

She's lookin' good so far! 

 

Thanks!

T26E4

Nice work. Remember to omit part K41 Engine Crank. That part does not belong with this version of Sherman -- an oft-repeated Tamiya mistake on all its M4A3s for some reason.

 

Thanks Roy!

 Oh yes.... 

Of course I'm gonn'a be watching.

This is going to be grand I'm sure.

MrT

 

 

ridleusmc

It looks like such a nice kit.  It's highly reviewed.  Are you making any adjustments to the kit parts, or are you adding any aftermarket stuff?  

-Chris

 

 

 

 

Yes I will be adding some things to the kit.  The kit so far is typical Tamiya fit and is going together very well.

 

Yeah, it's a brilliant kit. I'm following with interest.

Cheers

Thanks guys!

Done some painting and shading.  Put on a wash and some dry brushing.

That shading looks quite good.

ridleusmc

That shading looks quite good.

 

 

Thanks!  This is really just some first steps.  There will be some pin washes and track painting to come.

Yeah, the shading looks great. The bolt-heads really 'pop' on the wheels, they'll look even better when you hit 'em with the pin-wash. 

Looking great. Thanks for posting pics that open large too.

That is some really nice work on that suspension.

Thanks guys!

The M4A3E8 has tracks now.  I painted them with Tamiya Dark Iron and dry brushed with a little silver.  Also added a pin wash to the running gear.

Excellent detailing!

Toshi

Toshi

Excellent detailing!

Toshi

 

Thank you!

I have added a dark brown pigment wash to the tracks of my Sherman.

I really like that, nice ground-in dirt look to the tracks. 

Gamera

I really like that, nice ground-in dirt look to the tracks. 

 

I like to be subtle with weathering adding a little at a time.  I don't like to choke the model with to much.  There will be more as time goes by.

Thanks!

Added another pigment wash for the tracks and black oil wash to the tires.  Now it's time to move on to the upper hull.

You've got a couple extra steps in there that I think I will be adding to my repertoire for the T-90. I REALLY like the way that looks!

M. Brindos

You've got a couple extra steps in there that I think I will be adding to my repertoire for the T-90. I REALLY like the way that looks!

 

Thanks!  If you have any questions feel free to ask.  I sometimes don't explain what I'm doing very well.

MrT

 

 

M. Brindos

You've got a couple extra steps in there that I think I will be adding to my repertoire for the T-90. I REALLY like the way that looks!

 

 

 

 

Thanks!  If you have any questions feel free to ask.  I sometimes don't explain what I'm doing very well.

 

 

I understand that far too well. I also somtimes don't articulate my thoughts very well.

Looking really good. Lots for me to learn here....

Cheers

This is a fun thread!  A course in how to build armour.  I love it!

Toshi

Looks amazing. Just finishing building this kit myself, yours looks much better :)

Harrytheheid

Looking really good. Lots for me to learn here....

Cheers

 

Thanks!

Toshi

This is a fun thread!  A course in how to build armour.  I love it!

Toshi

 

Thank you!

usmc93

Looks amazing. Just finishing building this kit myself, yours looks much better :)

 

Oh I don't know about that.

Thanks!

The upper hull is coming together.  I replaced the molded on grab handles with wire ones and drilled the drain holes in the fuel cap guards.

Poniatowski

That's really looking nice! If you want to have some fun, take the tracks off and run a pencil around the inner rims of the bogie wheels (where the steel shoulder by the tires meet the center guides). You can also do this on the idler and where the sprocket contacts the tracks. Gives it all a nice worn metallic look and it's EASY to do. I can't remember if the smaller support rollers are also steel or rubber tired... maybe somebody else knows. Those look good with graphite on them too, if they're steel. Cheeers! Ron

 

Thanks for the suggestion!  I have a silver pencil or maybe I'll get a graphite pencil and give it a go.

Added the rest of the tools and upper hull kit parts.  I added wire tie down loops and some additional details to the headlight guards.  I added side skirt mounting holes to the side fenders.  I will be adding some weld beads here and there as well.

sneek peek at the turret.

Thanks for looking

I see you've added the spotlight to the top of the turret. Does that kit also come with the sighting vane in front of the commander's hatch?

Good looking build so far!

Yes it does.  I will get to that pretty soon.

Thanks

Ok most of the construction is complete except for some small details that I'm adding as I go along.  Getting close to painting.

Looking good there! This kit has received good reviews, but I can't believe Tamiya won't supply individual hatch handles along with the rest of their details. They are easy enough to make as evidenced by all the examples on this forum, but it seems awfully lazy of Tamiya.

She's coming along great Terry, good to see almost ready for paint. 

M1GarandFan

Looking good there! This kit has received good reviews, but I can't believe Tamiya won't supply individual hatch handles along with the rest of their details. They are easy enough to make as evidenced by all the examples on this forum, but it seems awfully lazy of Tamiya.

 

I'm sure it saves Tamiya some tooling cost.  Besides I use wire to replace them anyway.

Thanks!

Gamera

She's coming along great Terry, good to see almost ready for paint. 

 

Thanks!

Stand by....

Let the painting begin...

Painted overall Tamiya Nato Black.

Then Black green...

Shading up ever lighter shades of green.

Highlights...

oil wash of olive green and burnt umber.....

Bry brushed with olive green, white, and yellow orcher oil paint.

Thanks looking.

Howdy MrT,
  Looks like a nice clean build so far.

Coming along just beautifully.
                                                                                 

disastermaster

Howdy MrT,
  Looks like a nice clean build so far.

Coming along just beautifully.
                                                                                 

 

Thanks!

Yeah, she's really looking good! 

Gamera

Yeah, she's really looking good! 

 

Thanks!

More done on the hull and turret started.

ManCityFan

Looking really good! As a newbie, I appreciate the step-by-step builds I see on the forum, and this one is exceptional. Thanks for taking the time to walk us through your process. Dwayne

 

My pleasure Dwayne.

Thanks!

AlanF

Very nice. Thanks. This is going to be a big help to me.

 

Glad to help where I can Alan.

Thanks!

Here is a little more.  I think I'm about ready to apply the markings.

Poniatowski

Graphite will work and look better than a silver pencil. If you want that steel appearance to be more silver, use steel paint then graphite over it. Cheers! Ron

 

The only silver used was on the tools and only enough to highlight the details, but thanks for the advise.

I added the markings for the turret and then did some chipping and more weathering.

stowage preview....

More markings and more weathering.

[

Almost ready for the stowage.

Love how she's coming! 

Gamera

Love how she's coming! 

 

Thanks!

I have added the a tow cable, spare tracks and a wooden shelf between the front fenders.  I have also started on the turret crew.  The crew is from the new Sherman tank crew from Tamiya.

Oh yeah - that Sherman is lookin' realy good!

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Pawel

Oh yeah - that Sherman is lookin' realy good!

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

 

Thank you Pawel!

GlennH

Really beautiful work. Those hand tools are excellent.

 

Thank you Glenn!

You may be bored with me saying this over and over but she's coming along great!

Gamera

You may be bored with me saying this over and over but she's coming along great!

 

Not at all!  Your comments encourage me to keep going.

Thanks!

Here is a stowage update.  The flat coat has not been added yet.

Turret is loaded and flat coat applied.

I really like what I'm seeing here...can't wait to see those figs painted up...are those Dragon???

Revenant

I really like what I'm seeing here...can't wait to see those figs painted up...are those Dragon???

 

The figures are from Tamiya.

Thanks!

More stowage details added plus some decals.  I still need to put on some flat coat, but slowly but surely I'm getting things loaded up.

She's looking fantastic, love the fabric look you've got going on the storage bags.  

Gamera

She's looking fantastic, love the fabric look you've got going on the storage bags.  

 

Thanks! and thanks for stopping by.

I have been working on the 50 cal today. I replaced the Tamiya one with one from a Hobby Boss kit. Even so there are some things you can do to make it look better. The simple thing to do is drill out some of things like the barrel, the forward site, and the cooling sleeve. Painted it Model Master Exhaust first.  Dry brushed with Model Master Gunmetal and silver.  Didn't turn out too bad.

One thing about bad weather it allows for bench time.  I have started to paint the crew figures and I am still adding stowage here and there.  I'm nearing the finish line on this one.

That's a fine looking Sherman, Terry.

Fantastic work on the TC! Everything else looks top notch as well! 

Thanks for the comments guys!

Ok I'm calling this one done for now.  I have added a second crew figure and another piece of stowage. I have added the last few parts (headlight lens, tail lights, and antenna.  Did some paint touch up here and there.  Now I will set it aside and look at it for a while and try and see any errors.  But in the mean time here are the finished pictures.  Thanks for following along.

Awesome!!!

Gamera

Awesome!!!

 

Thanks!

Here are some additional views.

Thanks for following along.

Graet looking work MrT!!

What did you use on the storage boxes and tool handles?

modelcrazy

Graet looking work MrT!!

What did you use on the storage boxes and tool handles?

 

Do you mean paint wise?

MrT

Do you mean paint wise?

Yes

modelcrazy

 

MrT

Do you mean paint wise?

 

 

Yes

 

Depending on how dark you want the wood I will base coat with anywhere from flat flesh to Khaki and then add a oil wash of a mixture of raw umber and burnt seinna.

ManCityFan

That model is crazy good! As a newbie, seeing this kind of quality is kind of intimidating, but gives me something to shoot for. Thanks for the inspiration. Now if I could just get some bench time (seems a lot harder than I thought it would be).

 

Well thank you!  I like your attitude because I'm not doing anything you can't just keep at it.

Great paint work on this project.

Ive recently been able to look at your builds posted here. I must say that your approach to your paint finish and final presentation is exemplary. Though it can add depth and realism , l lean toward avoiding heavy use of mud and dust affects so as to achieve a finish much like yours. Please continue to explain your painting approach and technique with each of your builds , they are inspiring and insightful.

SprueOne

Great paint work on this project.

 

 

Thank you!

RX7850

Ive recently been able to look at your builds posted here. I must say that your approach to your paint finish and final presentation is exemplary. Though it can add depth and realism , lean toward avoiding heavy use of mud and dust affects so as to achieve a finish much like yours. Please continue to explain your painting approach and technique with each of your builds , they are inspiring and insightful.

 

Thank you!  While I'm not opposed to heavy weathering I do think it tends to be over done in a lot of cases.  In diorama situations this type of heavy weathering is called for.  You wouldn't want a mud free tank moving through a muddy field.  Likewise a dust free thank in the desert would strange indeed, but for just displaying the tank by it's self I think a more subtle approach is better.  I can achieve a weathered and well worn look by using different colors of oil pin washes while still being able to see the detail of the piece.  In the end weathering is still a matter of personal taste and the how the model is to be displayed.  Thank you for your interest and I will try to better explain my methods.

Terry

Also, great work on that .50 MG !

I'm only halfway through the thread MrT but it looks amazing!  

Thanks guys!

Awesome work.  I'm expecting that thing to start its Ford GAA and drive right off of your bench.

ridleusmc

Awesome work.  I'm expecting that thing to start its Ford GAA and drive right off of your bench.

 

 

Thanks!

O.O WOW.

Overall that's a 10/10 in my book. Those figures carry this one to the perfect finish.

Like icing on the cake. ;)

M. Brindos

O.O WOW.

Overall that's a 10/10 in my book. Those figures carry this one to the perfect finish.

Like icing on the cake. ;)

 

Thanks Mike!

Exemplary.

templar1099

Exemplary.

 

Thank you!

I'm getting back into the hobby after +8 years, and never really having tried anything such as scratch-builds or modifications. My first build is actually the same kit on the way now. This will be extremely helpful and I can't wait to get started. I already have a bunch of stupid questions so please enlighten me. Maybe you can even point me in the direction of more detailed instructions or videos.

My first question is.. did you paint the lower half with the wheels on or off? I'm assuming for the sake of less photos you painted the road wheels separately and just included then installed for 1 picture?

Also did you paint the rubber onto the suspension wheels? I can't tell from the picture. Or where they painted the standard drab and then black was dry brushed to give a worn look?

My last dumb question atm is the grab handles. I have never made my own and would like to give that a shot. Any tips and tools on how to help me successful create those? Not sure what size wire to use. BTW..you sherman is beautiful. I can only hope to ever get close your to level of detail and painting ability.

     The excellence is in the all around detail.
                               Beautifully done.

                                                                       

Ceezdup

I'm getting back into the hobby after +8 years, and never really having tried anything such as scratch-builds or modifications. My first build is actually the same kit on the way now. This will be extremely helpful and I can't wait to get started. I already have a bunch of stupid questions so please enlighten me. Maybe you can even point me in the direction of more detailed instructions or videos.

My first question is.. did you paint the lower half with the wheels on or off? I'm assuming for the sake of less photos you painted the road wheels separately and just included then installed for 1 picture?

Also did you paint the rubber onto the suspension wheels? I can't tell from the picture. Or where they painted the standard drab and then black was dry brushed to give a worn look?

My last dumb question atm is the grab handles. I have never made my own and would like to give that a shot. Any tips and tools on how to help me successful create those? Not sure what size wire to use. BTW..you sherman is beautiful. I can only hope to ever get close your to level of detail and painting ability.

 

First thank you for your interest.  To your first question: I painted the lower hull and suspension Tamyia Nato Black after it was assemblied.

Second question: No.  After I was finished applying the the shades of green, washes and dry brushing I gave the rubber wheels a heavy oil wash of Windsor and Newton Mars black to darken the the color.

Third question:  I use approx. .020 inch copper wire and needle nose pliers.  The wire you can get walmart or hobbylobby.  Any craft store should have several different gages of of wire that could used.

I'm sure you will do a great job.

Terry

disastermaster

                    

     The excellence is in the all around detail.
                               Beautifully done.

                                                                       

 

Thanks Steve!

Actually my last question...

I noticed you also added tie downs around the tools.. then straps with buckles..were those PE parts from a site?

Ceezdup

Actually my last question...

I noticed you also added tie downs around the tools.. then straps with buckles..were those PE parts from a site?

 

Yes those were some left over PE parts, but most Sherman PE sets have some straps included.  I have also made them out of lead foil and wire.

Ask as many questions as you want.

I'm a little late to the party. Magnificant. loved the tutorial. It always neat to learn other modelers tricks. I too am in the process of procuring this kit from a seller and this tute will come in handy. Thank you and well done all-around. I too prefer more subtle weathering, but then I don't build dios.

@Ceezdup: regarding the wire handles, small serrated pliers work well.  Since they taper, you can experiment until you find the correct width.  Then take a bit of masking tape and mark off which serration meets your need.  Indeed, you can take two pieces of tape and cover all the jaw serrations you're not going to use.   Thus, you can make a bunch of handles, all the same size.  Hope that helps.

tigerman

I'm a little late to the party. Magnificant. loved the tutorial. It always neat to learn other modelers tricks. I too am in the process of procuring this kit from a seller and this tute will come in handy. Thank you and well done all-around. I too prefer more subtle weathering, but then I don't build dios.

 

Thank you!

T26E4

@Ceezdup: regarding the wire handles, small serrated pliers work well.  Since they taper, you can experiment until you find the correct width.  Then take a bit of masking tape and mark off which serration meets your need.  Indeed, you can take two pieces of tape and cover all the jaw serrations you're not going to use.   Thus, you can make a bunch of handles, all the same size.  Hope that helps.

 

That is a great idea!  Thanks Mr Chow!

So just started on this kit and realized there are no poly caps provided in the box. Anyone have any suggestions on where I can get replacement or if they are even required for a proper build?

Tamiya is closed on weekends so will try calling them on Monday.

Stunning build! I'm just starting this one. Can you tell me, please, what paint make and colours did you use for the tools?

Paolo 67

Stunning build! I'm just starting this one. Can you tell me, please, what paint make and colours did you use for the tools?

 

The metal parts were done with Model Master Gun Metal and dry brushed with silver.  The wood parts were painted with Tamiya flat Flesh and oil washed with Raw Umber.

Thanks!

Thanks, MrT. Yeah, it's the wood I was looking for. Cheers

Paolo 67

Thanks, MrT. Yeah, it's the wood I was looking for. Cheers

 

 

You're welcome!

Just one more question, MrT... Did you prime the Vinyl tracks before applying the Tamiya Dark Iron? If so, what primer did you use?

Many thanks

Paul

Paolo 67

Just one more question, MrT... Did you prime the Vinyl tracks before applying the Tamiya Dark Iron? If so, what primer did you use?

Many thanks

Paul

 

Primed them with Tamiya Nato Black

No problem Paul!

Thank you my friend!

Just back from EagleQuest 26 in Dallas.....

Congratulations. It deserves an award!

Congrads!!!!! 

Another reason I don't enter many shows, I can't compete with guys like you! 

Griffin25

Congratulations. It deserves an award!

 

Thanks!

Gamera

Congrads!!!!! 

Another reason I don't enter many shows, I can't compete with guys like you! 

 

I used to say things like that.

Thanks!

MrT

Just back from EagleQuest 26 in Dallas.....

 

Congratulations!!!  Well deserved.  I really enjoyed watching this WIP.  It inspired me to buy oil paints so I start learning how to do washes.

That plaque IS going to be displayed prominently, right?

D

ManCityFan

 

MrT

Just back from EagleQuest 26 in Dallas.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations!!!  Well deserved.  I really enjoyed watching this WIP.  It inspired me to buy oil paints so I start learning how to do washes.

That plaque IS going to be displayed prominently, right?

D

 

It sure will!

Thanks!

MrT

Just back from EagleQuest 26 in Dallas.....

 Very well done and justly rewarded.....  

 Should have also had a "Best Sherman" award available for you.

Save

This is an incredible build. I checked out a closeup of your pics and the detail is phenomenal. This tank looks like it weighs over 40 tons. Great work Mr. T.

TigerII

This is an incredible build. I checked out a closeup of your pics and the detail is phenomenal. This tank looks like it weighs over 40 tons. Great work Mr. T.

 

 

 

Thanks!

Congrats MrT. I went to the show that Saturday and you were up against some stiff competition.

modelcrazy

Congrats MrT. I went to the show that Saturday and you were up against some stiff competition.

 

Yes!  65 entries in that category I believe.

Thanks!