As soon as I saw who was building, I knew it would be a beauty, first attempt or not.  Let it be said, let it be done.

Just starting Takom's Mark IV male/female for the local club's GB.  No interior so will be a little quicker. Going to steal your paint ratios for it, as that is one of the schemes on the box.

Found the tank.

Incredible work, Joe.

Chris, Would you happen to remember where you picked up the Asuka/Tasca .50 cal? I've had trouble finding any Asuka/Tasca kits and I read good things about their .50. Any help is appreciated.

John

Very nice finish.

I don't know which Sherman kit is the best, but I did Dragon's M4A1 Operation Cobra about a year ago.  It was a fun kit, and I really liked the look of the M4A1 with the long-gun 76 mm.  I've heard good things about Tamiya's M4A3E8, but Finescale's review said that it could benefit from aftermarket PE.  Asuka/Tasca has a great reputation, but I've never built one of thier kits.  However, I did use one their aftermarket .50 cals, and it was gorgeous.

Fantastic work.  I know nothing of armor but I do know quality when I see it.  Thanks for sharing the journey!

Your usual fantastic work! Great job!

I have some of the AK Interactive streaking grime and other products, I wish I could get mine to look half as good as yours. Maybe I'm watching the wrong movies/TV when I'm using it? 

As to a Sherman the Asuka kits are the gold standard. They used to be named Tasca and you'll still find them some places under that label so in a web-search you should try both names. I've heard good stuff too about the new Tamiya M4A3E8 that Crown R N7 is building now.

Link to HobbyLink Japan, they have some of the better prices on Asuka. 

https://hlj.com/search/go?lbc=hobbylink&method=and&p=Q&ts=custom&uid=520951367&w=Sherman&af=selectmanufacturer%3aasuka

There were a couple major sorts of Shermans, just find one that suits your fancy:

M4- early model. Used in Torch landings in North Africa and some use in Italy. 

M4A1- standard US Army model early in the war. Was slowly replaced with the M4A3 as the war went on, some did stay in service to the end.

M4A2- diesel engine model. Mostly US Marine Corps and lend-lease to the Soviets. 

M4A3- standard US Army model later in the war. 

M4A3E2- 'Jumbo' heavy assault version with beefed up armour. 

M4A3E8- "Easy Eight' HVSS version with improved suspension. Standard Sherman in Korea and later use. 

M4A4- version with five Chryser truck engines coupled together for power. Most were sent to the UK and Commonwealth forces. British called it a Sherman Mark V, and most of the 17pdr Fireflies were from this version. 

Anyway I think that's all right, someone correct me if I'm wrong here. 

PS: Also you had the standard turret with the 75mm gun and the later T23 turret with the 76mm. The T23 as far as I know was only mounted on the M4A1 and M4A3 becoming more common as the war went on. There was also a version with the 105mm howitzer. 

Absouloutly amazing build lewbud. Glad the AK worked out, you have really got the hang of that stuff. She has come out brilliantly.

I have not used AK on my aircraft builds, but i am in the process of switching from enamels to acrylics partly so i can use oiuls and maybe even the AK products on them. I'll be keen to see how your wing things come out useing it.

And can't wait to see more armour from you.

ridleusmc

I can see one possible aspect to critique, and I may be completely off.  The trench crib and ditching beam seem fresh in comparison to the rest of the vehicle. However, that trench crib looks intricate and beautiful.  Was that part of the kit?  Did you scratch build that?  I can't say for sure, because I've never seen authentic ditching beams and trench cribs except in B&W photos.

Paulie may move slow, but Paulie doesn't have to move for nobody...good stuff! 

Thanks Ridle....Yeah, that was my first attempt at trying to replicate wood in a larger, more visible scale.  A P-51 floor isn't quite the same.  The crib came with the kit and it's painted exactly like the color picture on the box, which is lighter yellow-colored wood.  I suppose I could have gone with a darker brown on the wood to age it, but I was mimicking a tutorial who used that same Desert Yellow color on his tool handles.  I hope to improve in that area, but I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out. 

Coincidentally I have the Tamiya 109 on it's way.  I can't wait to build it.  So which is the best Sherman kit?  

Henry Hill: Whenever we needed money, we'd rob the airport. To us, it was better than Citibank.

Awesome work Lawdog.  The thing looks like it's ready to hold off the Kaiser's forces and stop the Michael Offensive at Arras.  It really does look stunning.  I've tried AK's Naval wash (AK 305, Streaking Grime for Light Grey Ships), and they are produce excellent results.  I will keep an eye out for the Streaking Grime for Panzer Grey and the Dark Brown for Green Vehicles.  They look great being expertly applied by your hand.  I like your tracks very much.  I'll keep this thread in mind when I get back to First World War armor.  

I can see one possible aspect to critique, and I may be completely off.  The trench crib and ditching beam seem fresh in comparison to the rest of the vehicle. However, that trench crib looks intricate and beautiful.  Was that part of the kit?  Did you scratch build that?  I can't say for sure, because I've never seen authentic ditching beams and trench cribs except in B&W photos.  

Excellent Build, I look forward to seeing your Sherman.  There are all kinds of good Sherman kits out there.  I also look forward to seeing your 109's.  I was thinking about doing Tamiya's new G-6 next.  

Good work, Lawdog - the wood effects are particularly convincing. Nicely done!

Seriously, this is top tier work!

Followed this all along as I have the female. Your ability to transfer your skills genre to genre is as amazing as your skills themselves, Thanks for a "blueprint" for my build. Just GD outstanding.

That is gorgeous top-shelf work!  Well done!

Not only do you create stunning aircraft builds, but seriously, armor as well!

Exceptionally well done mate, superb detail work (as usual) and the display and additional items make for great eye candy!

Let us know when you start your next build so I can follow along.

Thanks guys!

I left off with my first dive into the world of pin washes and streaking, but first I must share how I decided to do the tracks. I assembled all 182 links and blue tacked them assembled to a piece of cardboard. These are supposed to stay together, but mine kept falling apart.  First I sprayed them XF-69 NATO black for a shadow effect. Next came XF-64 Red Brown to simulate rust then I added some sporadic XF-59 Desert Yellow to lighten them up and give the appeance of some dirt.  After a shot of Alclad Gloss (enamel), I used a black detailer wash. 

I then added them to the tank.  I had some issues with the links separating, but I eventually got them to cooperate and they stayed in place. After a flat coat, I dry brushed the treads with Testors chrome silver.  I decided not to try the mudding technique on this build.....baby steps.     

Now back to the weathering.  Again, I sprayed Alclad Aqua to await the oil work, as I'm told an oil based gloss product would be disasterous.  I started with this product, AK Dark Wash for Green Vehicles (stock photo). 

This thing literally literally started to come to life under my eyes as I watched Goodfellas on NetFlix.  It's perfectly thinned and goes right where you want it.  It took almost the whole movie (at least up until the helicopter part) to finish it but it was worth it and enjoyable.  A little AKI odorless thinner on a Q-tip fixed mistakes.  Next I switched to this stuff (stock photo), AK Streaking Grime for Panzer Grey. 

I recalled a tutorial on You Tube and followed it verbatim and it worked like a charm.  I ran the streaks down and when dry, I used a flat brush slightly damp with the AK thinner and wiped it downwards.  I went for barely noticeable.  Here's the result. 

To say I'm pleased with how the AKI stuff performed is an understatement.  It took some trial and error with the proper paint brushes and strokes with the streaking, but it wasn't hard.  Now I have to somehow make my aircraft come out like this.  I can't believe I was afraid of oil washes.  Oh, and thank you Dinero, Pesci and Liotta.  How am I funny? Ha Ha Like a clown?  

Anyways, I added the trenching equipment and chain (the later tacked down with super glue in a natural hanging position so it doesn't swing all over the place) then hit the whole thing with Testors Dull Coat...done. 

Well, I haven't enjoyed a build this much in a long time.  Who would have thought I would become an armor modeler.  A Sherman will definitely be my next armor conquest, but this Meng kit will be hard to top.  Simply outstanding. The only thing I would do differently would be install the machine guns at the end.  I kept breaking off the barrels!  If I build a female version someday I will.   Thanks for following and by all means critique this turkey...  

Outstanding job on this kit Joe! Although anyone who's looked in on your aircraft builds should not be surprised at the level of excellence of your work.

I'm hooked on this thread and grateful to be addicted here.

The chipping and wear look perfect and love the wood grain. I'm going to have to pick up some of that Tamiya panel line accent and try it myself. 

Thats looking amazing. really nicejob on the chipping, that stuff seems to work a treat. Andi dolike thw look of the wood. I usually use oil paints over Tamiya desert or buff. I might have to try that with some AK enamel wash.

Never seen a fascine like that before, i take it it camewith the kit.

Thanks guys, yeah, that's why I decided to open a few hatches. Maybe a little will be seen.  

I got some more painting in last night. I started by hand painting the exhaust pipe in XF-64 Red Brown then drybrushed it a little with silver. It was time to add the distinctive red and white stripes to the tank. I decided I was going to weather these heavily to show some of the paint wearing off.  Enter AK Worn effects.....

It's my understanding this stuff is the same as the hairspray technique.  I sprayed a few coats of this in the area where the red and white will go then taped them off for spraying.  Once done painting, I wet an old Testor's paint brush and began rubbing the paint.  Here's the result and I'm fairly pleased.

Now the rest of the tank...

I switched my attention to the trench "crib" device.  It looks like a medival torture chamber, or perhaps something from the Saw movie series.    

Anyway, I digress, I saw a sweet tutorial on YouTube about painting tank tool handles, namely shoves and axes, to look like wood.  It seemed easy enough and looked like wood to me when done.  I gave it a try. 

First, I sprayed the metal braces with Alclad Steel.  I then hand painted the "wooden" parts in XF-59 Desert Yellow, which proved challenging as it as hard to get the inner sides in between the metal braces.  I managed.  I'm still not sure what color to paint the single beam with the chain attached.  I may go a darker brown....or I may not.  I'm also still trying to figure out where the chain is supposed to go.  The instructions are no road map here.    

I then used the Tamiya Panel Line Accent (Brown) which I recent procured from ebay.  It is essentially an enamel wash with a sweet applicator in the bottle.  Anyways, as it started to dry, I took an old Testor's cheapie paint brush and dragged it across the semi-wet wash to simulate grain.  I was pleased with the effect. I'll be darn it looks like wood...  

I sprayed a few coats of Alclad Aqua Gloss (acrylic) then added the decals.........all six of them..........lol.  Just checkin' it out with the trench crossing "crib" on top.  Not too Shabby... 

Next I will do my first attempt at an enamel pin wash then work on painting and weathering the tracks.  I'm still watching some techniques on that.  I don't particularly want to mud them up on this model.......baby steps...

Excellent work! I have this one in the stash, and I built the Meng Ft-17, which was fantastic. That was the first tank I've built since I was 15 and could only afford the older Tamiya kits from the 70s and 80s and the occasional new Dragon kit.

I saw a build in Meng AFV Modeler where a guy built this in a during construction diorama to show off the interior. I think those open hatches wil help make it visible, and your drybrushing sure sets off the details.

-BD-

Looks great! You've captured the industrial steam-punk look of the thing very well. 

Looking forward to more. 

Glad to hear that lawdog, i was worried you might be swayed by those who seem to push the idea that modulation and realisim are the same thing.

Thats coming out really well. I have no idea on the colour of WW1 armour, but that looks good to me. Good plan for the tracks as well. If the ground is really wet and muddy, it would largley fall away as the tracks come round. What you would have is mud splattered higher up on the hull, but that depends if you want to go for the just about to go into action look or the its just been across no mans land look.

Very nice!