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Asuka 1/35 Scale M4A3 (76) W Sherman Tank with T-23 Turret

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  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Saturday, July 25, 2020 8:52 PM

The metal tracks do have an advantange, you can chemically blacken them (or brown them) whic hcan be an outstanding finishing effect.

However there is merit in the resin ones for being the half the price (unless you want the sag of non-live links).  Similar merit in the styrene, especially at almost half the price of resin (again, with the weight limitation). 

In the end, it's the skill of the modeler that shows through.

  • Member since
    September 2018
  • From: Vancouver, Washington USA
Posted by Sergeant on Sunday, July 26, 2020 1:23 PM

CapnMac82

The metal tracks do have an advantange, you can chemically blacken them (or brown them) which can be an outstanding finishing effect.

Thank you CapnMac82 for mentioning this, I had never heard of chemically blackening metal tracks. So I found VMS Vintage Modeling Solutions' Black-Track-Pro and Spot-On Track Colours product online. This is something I have got to try, it looks like a better way to color and weather metal tracks compared to painting.

https://www.vms-supplies.com/vms-black-track-pro

Harold

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Sunday, July 26, 2020 1:58 PM

Glad those antenna's are working out for you Harold. I got a new pack last month and they came in the same pack you got instead of one long piece. She is looking good with the tracks on, nice way of working with those.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    September 2018
  • From: Vancouver, Washington USA
Posted by Sergeant on Monday, July 27, 2020 2:02 PM

Bish

Glad those antenna's are working out for you Harold. I got a new pack last month and they came in the same pack you got instead of one long piece. She is looking good with the tracks on, nice way of working with those.

 

Thanks Mate, I ordered the VMS products I need and they were shipped from Poznan, Poland so it will take a couple of weeks, but I am excited to try this chemical blackening system. I can't believe I never read about before, it just slipped by me some how.

Harold

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Monday, July 27, 2020 2:51 PM

I've read about it bt never used it. I prefer to paint my metal tracks then use washes and pigments. Will look forwrad to seeing how yours turn out.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Monday, July 27, 2020 7:27 PM

Sergeant
Thank you CapnMac82 for mentioning this, I had never heard of chemically blackening metal tracks

Entirely welcome.  We in the ship community (of an age) picked up on blackening and browninf of both pewter and brass.  And we owe some good portion of that knowledge to our brothers in the Railroading community. 

Imagine having to paint endless bits of metal rail in its suitable reddish-brown hue (especially on layouts with a few thousand feet of track).  Or how using chemical blackening is far easier than painting a brass steam locomotive model.

There are some chemical solutions for creating verdigris on brass, too.  And at least one compound which will "silver" wood to give it age, too.

One of the coolest parts of modeling fora is in how you can venture into "other" parts of the hobby shop a person might not go to.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, July 30, 2020 11:45 AM

She's coming along great Sarge! Please keep the updates coming!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    September 2018
  • From: Vancouver, Washington USA
Posted by Sergeant on Friday, July 31, 2020 8:04 PM

Gamera977

She's coming along great Sarge! Please keep the updates coming!

 

Thank you Gamera. While helping dazzjazz from Australia with his interest in Asuka and Rye Field Sherman Firefly VC I discovered that DEF. Model offers a 76mm metal barrel #DM35050 for Asuka M4A3 Sherman through Sprue Brothers. It is a perfect fit and looks very well made.

Harold

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Monday, August 3, 2020 5:36 PM
Great work Sarge! Can’t wait to see more.
  • Member since
    September 2018
  • From: Vancouver, Washington USA
Posted by Sergeant on Thursday, August 6, 2020 3:06 AM

GreySnake
Great work Sarge! Can’t wait to see more.
 

Thank you G.S. My original objective in this build was to improve my assembly and painting skills. It was the first time I use an Iwata Miniature Spray Gun and I learned how to chemically clean and solder 26-gauge copper wire using jeweler's paste to make periscope guards.

I have since extended the objective to include selected aftermarket products. So far, I added Friulmodel metal tracks that will be chemically blackened with VMS Black Track Pro, an Accurate Armor Carbon Fiber antenna, DEF Model metal barrel and tonight I added a Eureka ER-3503 metal towing cable.

The one challenge I have been avoiding is camouflage paint and weathering. No skill building project in Armor would be complete without attempting one or both very popular modeling trends. So that will be the next step to locate camouflage used during the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944 Belgium.

Harold

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Thursday, August 6, 2020 11:22 AM

Sergeant

 

 
GreySnake
Great work Sarge! Can’t wait to see more.
 

 

 

Thank you G.S. My original objective in this build was to improve my assembly and painting skills. It was the first time I use an Iwata Miniature Spray Gun and I learned how to chemically clean and solder 26-gauge copper wire using jeweler's paste to make periscope guards.

 

I have since extended the objective to include selected aftermarket products. So far, I added Friulmodel metal tracks that will be chemically blackened with VMS Black Track Pro, an Accurate Armor Carbon Fiber antenna, DEF Model metal barrel and tonight I added a Eureka ER-3503 metal towing cable.

The one challenge I have been avoiding is camouflage paint and weathering. No skill building project in Armor would be complete without attempting one or both very popular modeling trends. So that will be the next step to locate camouflage used during the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944 Belgium.

Harold

 

Just about ready for warpaint! 

 

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Thursday, August 6, 2020 2:21 PM
The Sherman is coming along nicely. It seems like you and me are both trying to improve our skills. I’ve been branching out to using more aftermarket and improving my painting and weathering. I’m sure it’s going to look great once it gets some OD!  
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