cast-hull Sherman

The ESCI / Italeri Sherman is a very good looking kit, but I have read an article stating that built straight out of the box this version of the Sherman did not exist, or at the very least was a rare vehicle. I converted this particular kit to a sherman ll (M4A1) as it would have appeared at El Alemein. I'm not aware of any other cast hull models, but a couple of other manufacturers of composite hulls are Fine Scale Factory and MR Models (which is in fact a conversion set). You can read reviews of these at this web site: http://www.ontheway.us/default.htm

Brush and stippling is a great way to roughen up cast armor. Remember too, that a lot of times the edges of castings have a scalloped look (good reference photos help here). I use an X-Acto blade edgewise and scrape the surface to duplicate this effect. So between the scraping and stippling, you get a good cast effect.
The stippling simulates the sand used to make the mold for the cast steel and the scalloping represents ground down areas (say if a mold cracked slightly and created a 'fin'). Casting flaws often vary from vehicle to vehicle.

Ron.

Keyworth:
did u start ur 1/72 italeri sherman(s) yet ?
i forgot to mention one little thing: the transmission cover part (lower hull front end plate which meets the glacis) is apparently upside down in the instructions. the flat part should be facing up and the notched-out side should be down... i looked at a bunch of pix of shermans and also asked shermanfreak... the 'mickey mouse' ears go on the bottom, i think... because the part even seems to fit better that way. i hope u didn't have any extra trouble w/ ur build; i know that this was the source of much anxiety for me, and i even made a note on the instructions so i wouldn't forget when i built the second one ( yes, i bought two as well.... it really is a pretty nice kit all around !)
HTH (or at least doesn't add to any confusion!)
frosty

Thanks, Frosty. I picked up two of these from eBay this past week.

i suggest the ESCI / Italeri Sherman M4 kit... it's got a nice engine and drive train and a patterned floor for the fighting compartment, a lot more than u usually get in a 1/72 scale model ! nice .50 cal mg, hatches can be posed open, link & length trax... u'll have fun building this one !
HTH
frosty

oh, thanks Maj. Rob. It was just too simple for me figure out d-oh! :) Bob

Strippling is taking liquid cement and painting it over the smooth surface of the hull with the little applicator brush found in the cap of the liquid cement.

As you brush it on, it starts to soften the plastic and you start dabbing the brush to give the hull a little texture.

Wipw, could you elaborate or direct me to a thread for this? ( glue and stippling) I've often thought that the tank models are quite smooth looking. Thanks. Bob

Italeri reissued the old Esci M4A1. Decent kit.

I just bought a Revell/Germany 1/72 M4A1. Looks like an okay kit. It's not up to the standards of their new Tigers. It has does have link & length tracks. The "cast" parts are very smooth. They will need a little of the glue and stippling fix.

Good luck,

Bill

Fujimi offers an M4A1 in 1/76, but it's not really something I'd recommend.