Build Complete #9 Cyber-Hobby Orange Box Sherman M4A4 75mm WIP

Hey Steve!

Good catch on the weld for the cheek armor and the remaining pieces I will be sure to add that tomorrow.

I looked at a lot of references before I mounted the cheek armor I don't think that was an exact science and I think I am stuck with this placement.  I used a lot of thick CA on the piece but I will see what I can do.

Ed, the sherm is looking great man.  Nice to see all the goodies you got at the show are getting used.  Cant wait to see more bud.

Bob

Schnobs wrote:

Hey Steve! Good catch on the weld for the cheek armor and the remaining pieces I will be sure to add that tomorrow. I looked at a lot of references before I mounted the cheek armor I don't think that was an exact science and I think I am stuck with this placement.  I used a lot of thick CA on the piece but I will see what I can do.

No rivet counting intended.

 I don't think the "exact" placement is important.....  just wanted to make sure you were aware of it since you are putting such an ernest effort into this.

Thanks Bob the assembly is going slow and I can't wait for the painting but like they say the Devil is in the details!

No worries Steve I didn't take it that way at all.  Some pictures have the cheek piece higher than others so I compromised on the placement but I missed the attachment welds so I am torn between using some Archer transfer welds I have or using milliput.  I want to try the transfers out so I might use them for fun.

As always I appreciate your and everyone's thoughful feedback on my work it has helped me to improve and "correct" assembly errors.

You're a good man dude.

I try to be Steve.

I am so close to gettting the remaining details done.  I thought I would post my progress today to keep my momentum.  I detailed the turret except for the antenna mounts which are in the mail and should show up tomorrow.  I applied some welds to the cheek armor with Milliput and I was informed it was only welded on three sides.  Who in God's name cares about these kind of details?  Apparently me because that's what I did. 

I also bent up some music wire for hatch handles and cut down some resin periscopes for the crew hatches.  

PerfecT!

You could try a bit of that on those side plates too.....

Dear Mr. Schnobs,
I am in the fortunate position to be a couple of steps behind you, I learn so much from just following you.
Thank you so much for this!
With regards to the weld seems I think you are so spot on with what you have done with the turret's added armour.
The side reinforcments need the same treatment but this should not be overdone.
A good weld seem does not have to add "surface" material, it should melt the materials beeing joined and fill where required.
Basically that means that a negative weld, where the materials are sinking together is better then a joint where welding material is added on top off the plates to act as "glue".

Disatser Master kindly provided these links;

Thank You so much for sharing!

With Kind Regards
Utoshita

Thansk Bill, Steve & Utoshita for your posts and suggestiosn for the side armor as well.  I plan to add weld seams I just ran out of energy yetesterday.  I have a cold and I tell my wife I might die but I don't think she believes me!

Schnobs wrote:

I have a cold and I tell my wife I might die but I don't think she believes me!

Probably has something to do with the fact that you're still able to build and post!

LOL!  That might be it Bill! 

I need you guy's opinion on stowage. I stll need to add the front headlights and guards and also add detail tto side applique armor and also handle to gas can stowage. 

Here are some mockup shots of my stowage and I still need to cut off the Formations Pioneer tools which I am not looking forward to.

This is a Canadian vehicle so will I need to add the welded rod to the turret to hang the turret items and camoflage netting?

How does this look?

Edmund I don't know a thing about Shermans but I remember reading a post about one and the guy was reminded not to forget to drill a drain hole in those shields around the fuel caps.

You might check with the experts first.I just thought I would point it out just in case.

The extras look good on there btw                                                                                              Tony the Mutt

Thanks for reminding me to do that Tony it's on the list!

Edmund - Some thoughts on the stowage....the back looks fine, you will need some tie downs to keep it in place as you go down the road.

Now the turret I think is overdone. First, where are the tiedown points for all that is attached to the turret. Remember they did not glue it on. Next, it is too bulky on the turret. if the turret were to rotate, does all the "stuff" clear everything else.

You could put a little on the front just don't block the vision ports.

Just some thoughts!!

Rounds Complete!!

Hi Michael congrats again by the way! All good points and my research points to the following:

This stuff on CW tanks was usually strapped through small footman's loops welded to the turret side unlike US who welded on bars.  They did not use CA I hear!  Odd thing here is that the camo net shown on the right side was officially stowed on the left side forward, with eight loops to strap it down.  Of course, crews could rearrange things--and did. I am taking the liberty to switch sides so I can get the Resicast boots on the side of the turret whcih are really cool. The turret does rotate with all stowage in place if the crew hatches are closed.  I have some really nice "rope" that came with the Resicast kit tie everything down accordingly.

Your "thoughts: are always welcome my friend!

BeltFed wrote:

Remove the little nub protruding off the .30 cal.  The barrel was flush with the muzzle on the real thing

Yes that would be problematic if fired.  I will nip it off and drill it out.  I must of mounted it backwards.... Thanks for the catch.

Hey Edmund,

Nice work on the Shermie.

Stowage -

As long as you've got the Milliput out (from your welding), I might suggest that you make a few small tarps or blankets to place under the resin items.  This will provid a nice base tor the resin pieces to sit upon so they look to have some weight and follow the contours of the vehicle better....rather than appear just plopped on board - hard surface to hard surface.

Rick

Pvt Mutt wrote:

Edmund I don't know a thing about Shermans but I remember reading a post about one and the guy was reminded not to forget to drill a drain hole in those shields around the fuel caps.

Here'ya go....

....earlier models such as this one had two weep holes side by side (on both sides) plus the single one. Later models only had one plus the single one (on both sides).

Hey Rick,

Thanks Rick it seems like I am spending more time making corrections and researching than anything but that's half the fun.  I just learned a lot about Type 19 A & B Antenna mounts and height of arials today.  There was another resin piece that came with the Resicast kit that already had a tarp half covering the lad I took a few shots to get your opinion.  I can use this one or try to make my first Milliput tarp.

Hey Steve,

My M4A4 has a square peice in that postion should I drill two holes through that on each side then?

Schnobs wrote:

Hey Steve, My M4A4 has a square peice in that postion should I drill two holes through that on each side then?

Hey Edmund,

I believe that the two holes in the "box" section in the pic are actually covered by the little "square" piece which is shown in your kit, but not in the full-sized pic from Tony above.

See this pic: http://data3.primeportal.net/tanks/jan_peters/m4a4_sherman/images/m4a4_sherman_34_of_44.jpg which appears to have a small plate welded over this area (which appears to be represented on your kit).

Hi Phil!

I wonder what that welded piece is for?  You realize I will not sleep until I find out? 

Edmund,

I am torn between the two versions of stowage.  The first one is certainly busier, and will look better with the varied textures and colors...

but...

Now that i think about it, Europe, Fall, and yeah, I'd probably want to toss a tarp over my stuff that was riding outside.

SO other then to offer my thoughts, I am, again, no help whatsoever.

Sorry, man.

Bill 

Schnobs wrote:

.........You realize I will not sleep until I find out?

here, you can barely see it in the extreme right top corner ................                        

The other (rearmost) weep hole appears to be present in this next picture.....

below is is probably how it looks under the plate.

oh, and here's a pic to help with the slight gap you have on both the rear idlers (actually they don't appear to be molded correctly).

     ............ nitey-nite big boy.     

Morning Bill,

Yes I am torn as well they both look great but the first one is more visually interesting so I am still wresteling with it.  I was able to mount the Formation headlights last night which are really sweet.

I am doing more research on headlight guards to make sure I get the placement right.  I lost one of the rear PE Edward PE lightguards to the Carpet Monster and then I found it crushed beyond repair so I replaced that with the platic one after I shaved it down a bit.

Steve pointed out some more work for me to do on the rear idlers before I can paint. I should be able to paint later today or tomorrow......

Hey Steve,

Thanks for the sharp informed eye as always I will take care of the Idler seam before I paint.