A RECIPE FOR DISASTER (pictures are back) Completely finished on page 11

Those are some very nice tracks. I thank you for the toot, I now have a new method for doing tracks. Hopefully they look half as good as yours. Very nice work.

Thanks Terry, it's great to know this thread might possibly leave lasting and positive effects

  I nearly always try to implement simple and basic methods that illustrate innovation instead of using a lot of prefabricated components; besides the fact that aftermarket stuff can be overly expensive and sometimes over rated. For me, basic is best. 

I prefer to create and apply my own ideas when possible.... by doing so, I get a good sense of achievement and personal satisfaction.

 I might someday, but up 'til now I've never used cast-a-coat, Fruils, mig or AK products and for the most part use laquer thinner, elmers glue, and dollar store superglue for assembly.

  Over the course of many years (many fast years) I have learned that keeping it as simple as possible (at least for me) will usually give the best results, although I'm slower than

                                       

                              Thanks again......

                                                         

Well Steve I must agree with all that you have said. I think long and hard about AM products. When I look at modern Dragon kits I personally think that everything you need is in the box. I do have a new found fondness for Hobby Boss, dirt cheap when I can get to the LHS at the right time.

As for super glue, well 10 tubes for €2 in the €2 store.  Epoxy €5 for a set in the LHS.

Any how all aside, keep up the excellent work.

Terry.

     Hi guys.
                I'm flippin' the lights back on because........

                    
                                                  
   ........seems that (under cover of darkness) I discovered that the smileys around here had been

building their own tank of sorts...

  ..........gotta watch those guys.

More progress..........

      Here’s the nearly complete resin turret sitting on the
     hull waiting for some primer

   

     And a view from the drivers side…..

   

      This close up is the last time you’ll see this baby unpainted
     although there are still a few details that need
     to be added first.

  

      I got those details (for the most part) in place and a
     coat of grey primer…..
                   so bye - bye to the naked gun.
      

    

      So now it begins to come together with a coat of
     Tamiya XF-62 and the bogies and tracks prearranged
     for a visual evaluation.

        

     And some post shading on the starboard side..........

   

    Then some equal justice for the port side..........

  

     Here's the front........ remember, some of this
     hardware is in place only temporarily.

 

    Yeah, it looks a bit dull for now.......

                
    but don't worry, all this spruefruit will begin to bloom soon.

  Ok........ I'm "off again".
                                                   

Finally! wooohoooo. !  sorry Steve, I know I seem too impatient, but I look for your latest every day, and this is a big one !

and we go from plastic to base coat to post shading and a pre assembly in one post!   the front hull and turret look massive 'specially with the great texture...and the rebar sure helps it along. this is really gonna be a tough lookin' mofo when all is said and done.

Steve, your old school approach (make it yourself,grandma's sewing machine foot,etc.) are really going to yield 1st class results.. of course, from you I've grown to expect nothing less!

Lookin forward to the next post already!  :  )

yer pal,

bill

Holy cow!  It is almost completed... looking way too cool. 

 I really like the rough surface on the turret and bottom hull.  I haven't done this before and I have Squadron green putty.  But do you mix it with liquid cement to come up with this great result? 

william carls

Finally! wooohoooo. !  sorry Steve, I know I seem too impatient, but I look for your latest every day, and this is a big one !

and we go from plastic to base coat to post shading and a pre-assembly in one post!   the front hull and turret look massive 'specially with the great texture...and the rebar sure helps it along. this is really gonna be a tough lookin' mofo when all is said and done.

Steve, your old school approach (make it yourself,grandma's sewing machine foot,etc.) are really going to yield 1st class results.. of course, from you I've grown to expect nothing less!

Lookin forward to the next post already!  :  )

yer pal,

bill

Thank 'ya

You'll be seeing some more of my dirt real soon..........

Just catching up. I love the tools and wood. Great stuff.

Well worth the wait to get this update Steve. Very nice work on the paint and shading, looking forward to the next round as always!

Nice to see the airbrush out for a dance!!   Looking great.....the old ways of a Jeddi master are showing

Rounds Complete!!

LOL!  Thanks Smiley master... I do remember the Clay part.  It has been bookmarked so I won't loose it again.  Looking forward to your next update!

You truly are the master!

Looks great, Steve! In fact it looks mean just sitting there in base coat.

I'm trembling like a groom on a wedding night, slipping that first white strap from a soft, bare shoulder.....!!! (additional smileys censored!)

Wow, but this thread is a damn goldmine. I hope that through the whole process, you keep all of the pictures hosted. I would like to, with your permission of course, upon completion to quote all your posts in one constituent thread; its a fantastic resource for any Sherman builder, and I would love to archive it myself for when I eventually get to my own M4A3.

zokissima

Wow, but this thread is a damn goldmine. I hope that through the whole process, you keep all of the pictures hosted. I would like to, with your permission of course, upon completion to quote all your posts in one constituent thread; its a fantastic resource for any Sherman builder, and I would love to archive it myself for when I eventually get to my own M4A3.

I have had the very same thoughts for my first armor build the Tamiya M4A3. Already have some Tea Bag netting for mine.

Seeing her in her primer was one thing (Excellent) but with her OD on its just something else. Steve that is a true masterclass on model making from a true master.

Terry.

the doog

I'm trembling like a groom on a wedding night, slipping that first white strap from a soft, bare shoulder.....!!! (additional smileys censored!)

Yeh dere big boy....  come 'n git it !!!!!!

Hi Steve,,,,  Always nice to see the latest posting (with photos or without). The kit seems to be rolling along nicely. I have enjoyed following the build and look forward to [your] additional entries.

And mostly,,,, thanks for sharing!

Bill

Really nice Sherman! Just enjoy it however you want! No fear! Who dares win!

Hi boys.........

       Thought I'd take a break from the tank and
enhance it's appearance by whipping up a suitable
scenario to set this baby on.
 
Something simple but effective.

  Hope ya like this.

  Since this is just an addition to my subject build
(and this is the armor section) I won't be going very
far into the specifics and won't be posting it in the
diorama section.
 
  Brought my bag of tricks.......
Should you have any questions, just fire away.
 
  Here are a few quick pictures to show you
where it's headed. 

Again, I neglected to take any worthwhile progress
pictures (I really got into this and forgot 'em)  since
I originally hadn't planned on adding this part.

Got me a pre-finished plaque from the Goodwill store
for 50¢ + tax.

 

 ....... blue-taped the borders, trimmed out the area to
be worked and crosshatched the open area with a blade;
standard dio stuff.

 I usedwall joint compound for some thin groundwork
and mixed in shavings from the pencil sharpener (to give texture
to this mess) for use in prospective grassy areas.

When done right, shavings can also make good tree dressing, moss and other similar bits and pieces..... 

and it's from  Mr. FREE.





 Next, I impressed & removed the   duckbills
  into the ooze, then let it dry for about 36.......

When dry, I sprayed it with 99¢ primer red enamel
from Walmart.

Why red ?? 
.........I dunno, just to keep treadwell seein' red I guess



Here's one of several tiny mushrooms before painting.....
   and no, that's not earwax......
     of course I could understand why you might suspect that.




......told 'ya there would be mushrooms....
  home grown.....   
.....some fungus too.

'Ya like that.......?
I still have to apply a bit more finesse there.


The next picture is a simple tree limb, but I decided not to use it
and save it for a future project (not enough room anyway).




Next picture.....
  I used bristles from several different sources and for variety,
a little woodland scenics grass all chopped up.
  This was all attached with white glue. I used various earth tone
oil washes and many acrylic washes for coloring.
  The rotting log is an old paintbrush handle with a slimy moldy
finish. The fungus growing on the top & sides are itty-bits of
paper, spackle and toothpicks.

 

I'm goin' for a late February early March look; snow all
gone, so not too dry but still just a small bit of dampness.

The sign is just some scrap plastic I scraped up, stuck
together, painted and washed.



NO, No.....  Do I hear some krauts coming down the road......?




Boy, are they gonna be surprised...............


Just a few minor tweaks left in the bag now.

Sorry I left so much out but I'm mostly focused on the
tank here.... 


.....which will be progressing more rapidly from
here on out.

I really wanna get this done so I can move on
with the next project.

So, for now, when 'ya got to go............
                 YOU
                                       

                                       

heya Steve :  )

ya know, I was just thinkin' 'bout putting a small base on my nearly finished gatling gun, somethng  I have never done, and up pops your small base tutorial ! Talk about yer good timing.

I really love what you have done, and all a budget that even I can afford. 

 On the mushroom thing, Dude, I honestly never even considered that it looked like earwax.... are you sure you didn't accidentally  ingest some while cooking them up ? Hmmmmmm?....(maybe you are the only one seeing red !  lol...) all kidding aside, they look really cool.. .I hope I don't accidentally   steal that detail for my base. :  )

I can't wait to see that fat E2 sittin on the road just a waitin... it will be awesome.

thanks for another great installment buddy

yer pal

love seeing my name in print, tread  :  )

Totally Wicked......I love it

It is Environmental Friendly, Uses Recycled materials, is 100% PE free, is totally PC in this cost cutting time, and lastly,.... harkens back to when men were men and modelers were modelers...

Outstanding!

Rounds Complete!!