ARMOR - Sherman Family Group Build - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 6:46 AM

does anyone know whether firefly shermans had the .50 cal mg that comes with dragon kit? in my eduard PE set the gun you get to make looks more like a .30 cal to me...i'm not really up on my US machine guns so not really sure what gun (if any) to mount on my Vc turret.
as soon as i thin i've asked every possible question, another one goes and pops into my tiny head!! Tongue [:P]

regards,
nick
ps the site looks great by the way Thumbs Up [tup]

Kind regards, Nicholas

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 7:44 AM

Looks Great Rich!

Ron

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 10:52 AM

Thanks for hosting the pic, boybuddho -- it's nice to see someone's build-up! Looks great Rich. SHERMAN!

I worked on my M4A1 just a little last night. I think I'm going to build mine for Sicily after all, and use my Tamiya with the Tank Workshop aftermarket pieces for Tunisia. I may even do one Sherman for each American campaign from Tunisia to Germany. Cool [8D]

The Formations kit really does take the Italeri "host" kit so nicely that it almost seems silly to start slapping on pieces that will require extensive additional work, like the Tamiya 3-part transmission.

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 2:01 PM

Nick - optional all the way around. The British tended to use the .30 cal more often then the .50, but some tankers liked to "upgrade" things a little. Most pics I've seen though show neither mounted. By the time the Firefly went into action, the Luftwaffe wasn't much of a factor though some were kept to use for close support.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 2:46 PM

The .50 is my kind of close support... stop 'em at 1,000 meters, I always say!

Ron

Did anybody else see the FSM reveiw for the Academy M-36 kit? Is the rear armor actually that far off profile?

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 2:55 PM

thanks guys Smile [:)]

when i was out in vegas last year we went to a firing range and were hoping to hire the guide for the day to take some big machine guns like the above out into the desert but we didn't have time Disapprove [V]

...still managed to let fly with some great stuff though including the MP40, at which point the instructor says: "...this here's as smooth as anything made even today...it has only one main drawback though - fire a clip from this baby and next thing you know you're invading poland!!" Laugh [(-D]

he must have said that to at least a hundred guys, but it still makes me chuckle thinking about it even now! Tongue [:P]

regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

Reply

mark956

Member since
February 2003
From: USA

Posted by mark956 on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 4:24 PM

Very nice looking Turret Larry.
Rich, Your model looks very nice. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.
mark956

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 4:27 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Poniatowski

Hmmm. Nick.

Well, if he'd have said 'France' I'd have chuckled too. It all depends on perspective doesn't it. I just remember the sad look on my dad's face when he used to talk about our family in Poland that didn't live out the war, or the Soviet occupation.

Gunner, Coax, Nazi's... Identified! Fire. ... let 'er run boy, light 'em up.

Ron.

hope i didn't cause offence there; that was obviously not the intention...i merely wanted to relate an anecdote which was funny at the time...
anyway, as i've mentioned before on these forums, my girlfriend is czech, so i know all about what the nazis did in the east. i also like to think i have a keen sense of history, but that doesn't stop me from occasionally seeing the lighter side, as indeed you would seem to do re the french! Wink [;)]

apologies once again if you (or indeed others) thought my little story was unamusing or out of place here.
kind regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 4:36 PM

Nick,

Not a problem. It's been a LOOOONNNNGGGG Day in puclic education (still going on here at wonderful PHS)! Like I said, if he'd have said 'France', I'd have laughed too. This is all riding on the back of some kid (a 1.4 student) calling somebody a 'Pollack' in my class when they did something dumb. I logged back on to delete the comment.... which I'll do!

Regards,

Ron

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 4:42 PM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Poniatowski

Nick,

Not a problem. It's been a LOOOONNNNGGGG Day in puclic education (still going on here at wonderful PHS)! Like I said, if he'd have said 'France', I'd have laughed too. This is all riding on the back of some kid (a 1.4 student) calling somebody a 'Pollack' in my class when they did something dumb. I logged back on to delete the comment.... which I'll do!

Regards,

Ron

hey man, not a problem....hope the evening goes better this side of the pond, there's only soooo much surfing i can do!!!
catch you all tomorrow!
regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

Reply

shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 7:16 PM

Progress Report

Things are starting to look a little green ... and a little dirty around here.

I'm about halfway through the weathering process.
So far I've approached these kits a little different from what I normally do.

Both kits recieved a dullcote made from 70% Future and 30% Tamiya Dull Base. This is the first time that I've tried this technique and I must admit, I'm sold big time. Great finish with hardly any smell.

I'm also not a big fan of washes, but both kits were given an excessive wash, not to give depth, but to cause stains and I'm very happy with the results so far.

Next up will be some drybrushing followed by some mud application and pastels.

Here's a couple of pics of the S-Models Ram.

And here's the DML Firefly Ic

Well ..... back to making a mess !!!! Approve [^]

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 7:27 PM

Robert,, That Firefly looks great. I agree with you on the excessive wash deal. I did it on my sherman as well and it was acctually a goof on my part but like you said it acctually makes the model look dirtier atleast I thought it did.

What made you try the future/dullcoat mix???? It sounds like a great idea think I will try it on my next model. Was that testors dullcoat by the way???

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Buddho

Member since
March 2003
From: Newport News VA

Posted by Buddho on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 7:31 PM

Robert, your tanks look great...the weathering and details are super!

Regards, Dan

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 7:36 PM

Rich - I've used Testors for years with fairly good success but since I've been on the forum, I've heard so much about the Future / Tamiya mix that I had to try it. I'm definitely sold !!!! The finish is much better and no foul smell.

Dan - thanks for the compliment !!

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, March 2, 2004 7:46 PM

Now only a Shermanfreak could do shermans like those. Simply amazing works, Sherm. The Ram and the Firefly are just outstanding.

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RAF120

Member since
March 2003
From: Exit 7a NJ Turnpike

Posted by RAF120 on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 8:42 PM

Beautiful work Robert.

Trevor Where am I going and why am I in this handbasket?

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GA.modelmaker

Member since
November 2003
From: savannah ga.

Posted by GA.modelmaker on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 9:07 PM

great looking sherman ther rob.
and a up date on the m4a4 with 60lp rocket. it got airbrushed today with od green. and i must say it turned out good for my first in 10 years. its in the drying mode right know and all i have to do is put on the boogie wheels assembles on,tracks,tools and the rockets. in which that is going to be a pain in the rear to do. this one looks so good i dont even think its going to get a wash or weathered wtih pastels.. Big Smile [:D]

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 10:38 PM

Gentlemen, and ladies.
I have met and looked into the face of evil. In my life, I have seen such things that would curl the blood and make sane men mad. I have looked into the eyes of the beast. I'm talking 7th seal is broken and gorged up some darkness beyond human comprehension. Things that make Stephen King, Wes Craven and John Carpenter look like authors of childrens nursery rhymes. Something so vile and twisted that it could only come from madness embodied. End of the world hopelessness. All of the horrors and insanity of every nightmare come to life, gripping you with icy talons and rending your very soul. God has forsaken all of mankind and must have been enraged and feels compelled to destroy the very memory of man with what has been delivered unto this earth.

I'm not talking about some cruel monster. Nor am I refering to some turban swathed, long bearded mad man in a cave in Pakistan. No, not even some Nazi genetic experiment gone awry to once again deliver Hitlers madness. No..... Something more sinister.

I'm refering to little, seemingly inocuous pieces of grey plastic called the DML Sherman M4A4 independent track assembly.

We are doomed.

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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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 10:47 PM

Come on Mike

Tell us how you really feel about them. Evil [}:)]

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 10:50 PM

I saw those once. It was in a museum of horror, next to the Iron Maiden and the guillotine.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, March 2, 2004 10:51 PM

Well, whose up for some track assembly... oh, oh no...get, get away...GET AWAY... AAHHH!

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 12:34 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by feldgrau23

This weekend besides working on the model I watched "A Bridge to Far" thanks to Robert,, among others I found my self trough out the movie going theres and easy 8,, there goes a firefly,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I am now a certified shermanaholic.

Being a shermanaholic is not a bad thing.

Yeah I love this movie. When I was younger (yes I'm that old that I actually saw it at the cinema when it was first released) I said look there is such and such [the actor] and there's so and so...........now I am a little older and wiser, and have it on DVD, it's 'look there is an easy 8, there is the fake firefly on the rise, there's a...... Ahhhhh, a modellers view point is always sweet.

Fantastic pics over the past few days. Some outstanding work coming out of this build.

Robert (Shermie). Second silly question of the build.
Part A: The fuel and oil filler caps on the rear of the Achilles. The Acadamy instructions say to cut off the lift handles on 2 fillers (the one at the rear of the vehicle and one of the ones on the side) and use 5 others with the handles retained. Is this correct?

Part B: I know that these pins were attached to the hull via a piece of chain to stop the pins going AWOL. They were anchored to the vehicle by either welding a link to the hull just behind each filler, or to the centre of the hinged part of the filler assembly itself. But where was the chain attached to the the lock pin? I have only contemporary pics, and the pins are either missing or the chains aren't connected. Were they fitted to the end of the pin or further down? Thanks in advance.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 1:01 AM

A funny thing happend recently... Tongue [:P]

A set of AFV club workable T48 tracks (amongst other things Big Smile [:D]

) showed up in the mail!
So now the question is...Do I use these for this build or save them for something that has really horrid rubber band tracks? The kit tracks ARE quite nice.

Another fuel/oil cap ?, Was there drain holes through the armour "lip" around all the filler caps? I know some had them but don't know if they all did. If not all, then which ones did? What would be the correct drill size?

I'm getting close to winding this up (sure goes quicker when you don't need to build a new turret! Cool [8D]

) but STILL need to order the forgottten PE headlight guards! [:0] Blush [:I]

Panther should be done by this weekend and forgetting to order is gonna give me a week (or two) of down time on the Sherman. Disapprove [V]

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003
From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 2:34 AM

some nice looking builds there shermanfreak Cool [8D]

, and glad you like the tamiya/future mix...i think it's all people use over here anyway as testors' products are real hard to come by...

a question about your firefly build: the rear idler appears to be worn metal, and not rubber (black)...is this a trick of the camera? if not (and it looks cool anyway), should the rear idler on my Vc be the same? the instructions say it should be painted black for the rubber surround.

my progress: almost completed putting all he eduard photo etch on my Vc, including the periscope guards on the turret[:0]...to my surprise these went on like a dream!! now all i have to do is repeat the process for the guards on the hull hatch covers...not sure i'm going to be so lucky!!
also seems a shame to have so much exterior detail and nothing on the inside, especially as with both turret hatches open you'll be able to see inside quite a bit...maybe a project for my next sherman!! Tongue [:P]

renarts sorry to hear of your troubles Disapprove [V]

...i would have said that i show solidarity with you, but went and ordered a vinyl replacement set from AFV Club instead[:0] Tongue [:P]

!! with no sagin sherman tracks, i thought i'd save my pain for russian armour where it's really gonna hurt!! Laugh [(-D]

regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

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Build22

Member since
May 2003
From: Upstate NY

Posted by Build22 on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:09 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by renarts

I'm refering to little, seemingly inocuous pieces of grey plastic called the DML Sherman M4A4 independent track assembly.

We are doomed.

Mike

I bet I can guess what stage you're at, Mike. Have the dimples come out of your fingers yet ?

Sherm - great job on both Thumbs Up [tup]

Is that Tamiya's xf-61 - it looks good. That Ram is a querky looking duck.

Nice job

Jim [IMG]

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:37 AM

Originally posted by petbat
Yeah I love this movie. When I was younger (yes I'm that old that I actually saw it at the cinema when it was first released) I said look there is such and such [the actor] and there's so and so...........now I am a little older and wiser, and have it on DVD, it's 'look there is an easy 8, there is the fake firefly on the rise, there's a...... Ahhhhh, a modellers view point is always sweet.

Dont feel bad Petbat. I remember my dad taking me to this movie in the theater as well. There was a grand total of 10 of us in there watching the movie. I was 11 at the time I think. Seeing that movie is one of my very fond memories as a kid.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:38 AM

Robert, LOOKS GREAT!! What can I say, super job so far!

Nick.... Surfing? Well, ski season is coming to a close here, but it's a long drive for me to surf! Tried it once, loved it.

Renarts, you had me bolted (can't spell riveted) to the screen! When's your novel coming out (Attack of the Killer Indi Tracks... which'll draw in a lot of Indy car race fans because of the title)? I lucked out. Years ago, I made a set while baby sitting study hall. Study halls are SOOOOO boring that I made them workable. I think it took me three or four weeks. I still have the straight jacket in the closet somewhere.

Ron

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nmayhew

Member since
July 2003

From: Kent, England

Posted by nmayhew on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:50 AM

QUOTE: Originally posted by Poniatowski
Nick.... Surfing? Well, ski season is coming to a close here, but it's a long drive for me to surf! Tried it once, loved it.

Ron

...errr, obviously never been in the waters around this fair island at this time of year, eh? i've actually been persuaded to go surfing for the first time ever by my girlfriend this summer down in cornwall, even then i reckon you'll have at best 5 mins before bits start dropping off the water's so cold!![:0]
i'm not sure what will be more frustrating: dragon indie links or trying to stand up on a surf board?!
regards,
nick

Kind regards, Nicholas

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:47 AM

Nick,
By 'this fair island' I assume you mean Hawaii? I've been to Hawaii in December, March and during some surfing competitions at Wiamaha (spelling??) Bay. Good fun. I'm not good at surfing, but I sure enjoyed it!

Oh,

Back on subject, did the base color on my hull yesterday. Ready to weather heavily.

Ron

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GA.modelmaker

Member since
November 2003

From: savannah ga.

Posted by GA.modelmaker on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 10:42 AM

well mike i know how you feel but i didnt go over on that describtion on the indy tracks nightmare but that was a good read. i cursed the day that some molder invented those darn things.

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ARMOR - Sherman Family Group Build