Honestly there is just about nothing I could say to improve this except for one minor detail, and that I would add some smoke pigments in the exhaust area.  Other than that you did a super job!

Brian

Thanks, Brian. Your comments are encouraging to me. I agree about the exhaust area. I normally don't go back and rework or enhance any of my finished models but in this case I may just do that. A little bit of soot would definitely add to the realism.

Jim

OK I'll go along with the soot idea.

But the only thing I can see  that could be "enhanced" is the soldier's arm needs to be on  something. Must get tired just holding it out there.

Boy,is that "much ado about nothing" geesh

p.s. Great job.

Yeah. I was trying to get him to prop his arm on that sandbag but he was having none of it. He can be quite stubborn sometimes.

I see a few small things that are not yet mentioned- overall I think it is a dang good build but since you are looking for critiques of feedback... 1) the tail light on the right side is canted- watch out for small things like that on the next one; 2) stowage- on the rear deck those lines should be taught to show tension of actually holding something in place and the camo net would be best placed over all that... on the turret the musette bag and e-tool are "free floating"- there is no tie down point for the bag's straps and the e tool is just placed there on top of the rolled tarp.

Catching the little things like that will make a good build into a great build.

I think it looks good overall.  One thing you could change is the angle of the open hatches.  If you look at photos of real M10s and M36s, they splay to the front in a peculiar fashion.  It's unmistakable.  Do a google search

Jim it's a very impressive build. Thanks for bringing it.

Stikpusher, I see what you mean by the taillight. I don't know if that was something I missed during the build or if I noticed it and thought it was no big deal. It's quite possible I noticed it after the glue set up and didn't want to risk messing everything up trying to correct it. Who knows? That was a long time ago. The netting around the stowage didn't come out the way I intended. I was trying to get the taught lines but was unsuccessful. I used the only thing I had to replicate netting which was gauze. I loosened it up so it would look less like gauze and more like netting. It's the one glaring imperfection that catches my eye every time I look at it. The free floating musette bag does look a little odd now that you mention it. As far as the entrenching tool, I was trying to place it in a spot where it would appear to be pretty secure without being tied down. I guess all that stuff needs to be tied down in some way. Thanks for the critique. The mistakes I make on one is how I learn to make the next one better.

Roy, the hatches do angle to the front  a little if that's what you are referring to. Maybe they aren't as prominent on the model as they are on the real thing. I'll have to research that again. I actually detailed the model very similar to an actual World War II photo of one in a book I have. It's very similar right down to the sandbags and the log hanging in the front. I'll definitely google some photos of the hatches though. I'm not going to correct this one but it will be good to know for future builds. Thanks for the feedback, Roy.

I got nuthin! No complaints at all! It looks fabulous.

Thanks, doog. I've always been very pleased with how well it turned out.

Looks pretty durn good to me! Love the dirt/mud/weathering. I built the AFV Club M10 some years back and wish it turned out half as well as yours.

Thanks, Gamera. Getting praise for my models from people who never build them is okay but it sure means a lot when I get that praise...and the constructive criticism....from all you guys who have model building in your blood like me.

Jim, I would be more than happy to have that build, "as is", on my shelf in my collection today. Of course that would eliminate the fun of the build, but... Keep sharing your work here with us sir. Between this and that King Tiger, you obviously have a knack for Armor.What's next?

Thanks, stikpusher. I don't know what is next as far as armor or military goes. I can hear Tamiya's Marder III M calling my name. I ordered and received extra ammo for it and it would be a little bit of a refreshing change from your usual tank model. Also, I have a Sturmtiger....which is my avatar...that I built prior to the M10. I added lots of detail including an engine, mechanic figures, tools, work table and other stuff. It really needs to be displayed as a diorama. I'll have to take some more photos of it when I have another cloudy day.

That's a sweet looking build. Can't wait to se more of your armour.

Jim, I have done some outdoor photography of my models on sunny days in the shade. The shady side of the house can work in place of cloud cover. Look around your home and you just might find the perfect spot out of direct sunlight.

And that Marder kit sounds like a great choice

Stikpusher, I hadn't thought about the shade. I may try that later with my Sturmtiger model as well as the M10 and the King Tiger models. That may provide a more natural setting than my front porch.

Thanks, Bish. Everyone's comments are really making me anxious to start another tank.

Don't be, dive right in and lets see some progress pics along the way.

I should have said eager instead of anxious.

I think it should be something in OD though... sounds like your M10 is getting outnumbered real quick by bad guys... shoot and scoot!

Haha! Well, I do have Tamiya's M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman that needs to be built. And I've got a Pershing somewhere, too.

Take no notice, there's nothing wrong with plenty of 3 colour camo. have you got anything in mind for a Dio for the Sturmtiger.

Some Marine Corps Shermans on Iwo Jima wore three color camo... ;-)

Well Bish, the extra details I added were from different kits. I did a maintenance setup with a couple extra figures on the back of the vehicle with the engine access hatch open and tools and other items scattered around as if the vehicle has rolled into a service depot or something of that nature. I thought it would be cool to add an overhead crane like they would have used to pull the engine. I seem to remember seeing a picture of one in a book somewhere. I didn't really get the idea from a book or anything. I actually found the extra details in kits from a hobby shop that used to be here where I live. I think the first thing I found was a Maybach engine kit. I thought it would be cool to add an engine to it. After that I just started finding the other details and kind of formed a scene in my head as to how it could look when finished. I was just playing around and having fun with it. At the time I was more concerned with building something that looked realistic and might be believable rather than going for historic accuracy. I'll upload some pictures eventually.

Quick tip for photography......tracing paper.  Yup, use tracing paper as a "filter".  It is what I use on my work lights when I want to take photos.  The tracing paper kills the sharpness of the light so that you still get the brightness, but without the glare.  The sheets may be too small as is for your needs, but use some clear tape to join together enough to make a sort of umbrella.  If you angle the setup just right you should get exactly what you are looking for....good light without the glare.

Brian

Thanks for the tip, Brian. I'll try that.

just like Hollywood does

New Hampshire

Quick tip for photography......tracing paper.  Yup, use tracing paper as a "filter".  It is what I use on my work lights when I want to take photos.  The tracing paper kills the sharpness of the light so that you still get the brightness, but without the glare.  The sheets may be too small as is for your needs, but use some clear tape to join together enough to make a sort of umbrella.  If you angle the setup just right you should get exactly what you are looking for....good light without the glare.

Brian