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

OK, looks great, let's get the green on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill 

LOL!  Yeah I think it looks cool too. That's why I threw up shots of very angle for the extra set of eyes.  Thanks for the catch Steve!

I took care of the gap on the idlers as well.

This is going to be a freakin blast to paint and weather and I have a three crewman Canadian crew from Ultracast to fill the hatches.  I picked up some black evergreen to make a pedestal for the crew hatches today.  The TC is the only figure that is a full figures and he will be sitting on the rear hatch.

Stay tuned.................

That pose is just Bad-AZZ..... lookin' good.

Ooops,

        spotted a seam on the hull ball mount for the MG.

Yeah I know Karl I just love the look of a primered model.

Sorry Dial up guys!

WOW, Edmund--thats, uh, a lot of pictures there of an unpainted model. The dial-up guys are going to hate you...

Looks ready for some paint in the mornin'! 

Understood Rick.  I heve never actualy made a tarp from scratch yet but I am game. I saw Andy had made one with eyelits which was nice touch.  I might need a little push in the right direction.  I know to use talcum powder and to roll it out and then set it in place and that's the extent of my knowledge.

I finished all the detailing I thought but I forgot one antenna mount and the search light which I will paint and mount seperately.

I them primed both the turret and hull seperately with Mr. Surfacer 1200. I wll let it setup overnight and start painting tomorrow.

Edmund,

My only concern is that the stowage items need to appear to be "in contact" and resting confortably on the hull...no gaps or awkward lifting edges.  Sculping a little milliput pad, if you will, insures that the resin pieces have something to snuggle down onto.

rick

Hey Steve,

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

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......

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.     

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 

Hi Phil!

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

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).

Hey Steve,

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

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.

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 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

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.

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!

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!!

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

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

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?

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!

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!

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