M4A3 105 Progress Pics

Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

M4A3 105 Progress Pics

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 7:20 PM

I am a bit hesitant to post these pics after seeing some really good (and award winning) Shermans here. Anyway at this stage there is not much to see. I have just started applying the first coat of Tamiya flat OD and painting the road wheels.

As usual, this Tamiya kit has very good fit and requires very little clean-up. The kit comes with six figures and a lot of deck accessories and personnel gears.

I am surprised that it looked greyish on the pics. Probably because of the flash.

The roadwheels have some parting lines but quite easily cleaned.

This one will have a winter camo scheme same as illustrated in the box art. A winter dio is being considered. No completion date has been set yet. Wink [;)]

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styrene

Member since
May 2003
From: The flat lands of the Southeast

Posted by styrene on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 7:34 PM

Dwight,
It's a little early, but your build seems to be going very smoothly and clean! Looking nice. Keep up the good work and send more pics! Do you plan on leaving the hatch open? Looking forward to seeing the winter scheme...
Gip Winecoff

1882: "God is dead"--F. Nietzsche

1900: "Nietzsche is dead"--God

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Moses

Member since
February 2003
From: Long Island

Posted by Moses on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 7:59 PM

Looking really good thus far Dwight. I am not one for Shermans, but I hope you pile up some nice stowage on the rear of the baby.

Cheers

Rob

"ZIM FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER!!"

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 8:01 PM

Hi styrene,

Yes, I will leave that open. There will be a crew looking through binoculars popping out of the hatch.
The winter scene maybe tough for me. I have never even seen real snow in my life. He-he-he. I need lots of pointers regarding snow sceneries.

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 8:05 PM

Hi Moses,

You bet there will be lots of stuff on the deck of this one. Tamiya has included tons on them with the kit.
It's the snow thing that's really worrying me.

Thanks.

Reply

erush

Member since
May 2003
From: USA, GA

Posted by erush on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 8:17 PM

Looks good so far Dwight!! Keep us posted. Cool [8D]

Eric

Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.

"Friendly fire...isn't"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 9:03 PM

Hey Dwight,

Looking good to me. Keep us posted on the winter camo.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 9:06 PM

Coming along nicely, Dwight. Be sure to keep us informed. The winter dio would look nice.

demono69

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 9:09 PM

Hi erush, erock,

Pics will come as work progresses. Thanks.

Reply

shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 9:15 PM

Coming along nicely Dwight ... very clean build.

Did you fill in the lower sponsons?

Keep us posted as to progress.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 9:41 PM

Sherm,

Not yet Sherm. I am trying to get some styrene sheets today, if I am lucky to find any. The upper and lower hulls are also not yet glued together.

Thanks.

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lizardqing

Member since
July 2003
From: Dahlonega, Georgia

Posted by lizardqing on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 10:07 PM

Looking good Dwight. I saw that same kit the other day and wanted it since the one I just did is going to my brother, but my wife just don't understand the whole " but it's got a different size barrel". Looks like I'm doind a T-62A for now. Look forward to seeing it more as it comes along.

Chris The Scale Firehouse The Lizard's Workshop

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 12:20 AM

Chris,

This is my second Sherman. The first one I got last year as my starting armor kit. My wife didn't mind me buying another one as I bought this without her. Give it some time and ask your wife again. LOL.

Anyway, I heard that there are still inaccuracies in this kit but I don't mind. I am happy to see this because of all the extras you get inside the box. I could use them in my other kit.

I just hope that I will have enough interest to finish it soon. The dio...well later, I think.

Reply

renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 12:28 AM

Looks good Dwight. Real clean build. I'm anxious to see the finished project. With what we've seen so far of your diorama skills I expect this will be a nice project when complete.

What procedure do you use to paint your road wheels?

Snow is just like volcanic ash, only cold. Tongue [:P]

Mike

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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J-Hulk

Member since
February 2003
From: Tochigi, Japan

Posted by J-Hulk on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 12:32 AM

Nice build so far, Dwight!
Keep us posted with, uh...more posts!

~Brian

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 1:14 AM

Renarts:

I just push them into BBQ sticks like shown and make sure that they're not loose. Spray them with the base color and let the dry for a while. Then I use a 3mm wide brush to paint the rubber portion. I do this by holding the BBQ stick in one hand and the brush in the other. Instead of moving the brush, I rotate the stick (and a portion of the roadwheel touching the brush) while keeping the brush in a fixed position. I use a 1mm wide brush to touch-up the boundaries between the metal and rubber portions of the roadwheel.

I never thought of snow that way. LOL. And we have tons of volcanic ash here in my side of the planet. Thanks for the analogy.

J-hulk:

I'll keep you all posted with...as you have requested...more posts. LOL.

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djmodels1999

Member since
December 2002
From: United Kingdom / Belgium

Posted by djmodels1999 on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 9:09 AM

Yep, so far so good, Dwight. Can't wait to see more!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 9:18 AM

VERY nice so far! Makes me want to finish Loepold and get going on another Sherman (probably my new Isherman!).

Remember, when you stow an 'A3, leave the engine air intake grilles free of equipment.... otherwise the ol' gal will 'over heat'... However in the winter, if the vehicle is static, there may have been a tarp thown over the back deck to retain heat, then removed when the vehicle started moving again.

Again, NICE job! Big Smile [:D]

Ron.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 9:21 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dwight Ta-ala

My wife didn't mind me buying another one as I bought this without her. Give it some time and ask your wife again. LOL.

My wife is so used to kits showing up 'unannounced' she's gotten to the point of just rolling her eyes and taking it as a nod to go get something for herself! Smile [:)]

Works for me!!

Ron.

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 12:16 PM

Just in case you don't have the template for the sponsons Dwight, here's a link for you.
http://www.archertransfers.com/WEB%20pictures/ShermanFix.pdf

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 12:30 PM

Thanks Dwight,
I do my wheels pretty much the same way. There's been alot of discussion on wheel technique lately and I was curious.
Tthe only difference in what I do is get close to the rim with the brush and then use a heavy wash. The capillary action runs the wash around the edge of the rim and the wheel and makes a nice tight and clean edge.

Can't wait to see more.

Mike

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 6:46 PM

Thanks for the tip, Ron.

Sherm, I just read your post this morning. I did the filling last night. It was kind of crude but I think it's a lot better than my first. Thanks for the template. I'll keep it for my next Sherman. Yes, this will not be the last.

Thanks to all.

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r13b20

Member since
April 2014

Posted by r13b20 on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 7:34 PM

Looking good guy! If you want some pics of snow I'll send them this winter! I know what you mean about snow and not seeing it there. I lived in the
Philippines when i was young. Snow just doesn't make it there! Good job!

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 7:55 PM

Hi 13b20. Thanks. Who knows, I might make it to the US someday and actualy be able to see some real snow. (Crossing my fingers, he-he-he.) So, how long did you stay here?

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 8, 2003 10:21 PM

Very nice Dwight!
Good luck on the sponsons opening, I heard that needed to be done on that kit. I have a panther and you can see the floor through the top :(

good luck, have fun,

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Thursday, October 9, 2003 12:05 AM

Thanks muzzleflash.

Sometimes I ask myself why these manufacturers bothered to include all these deck accessories, stowage things figures for free and didn't even considered providing the covering parts for the sponsons (which I believe are much easier to make).

Tamiya? Is Somebody listening?

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