Sherman M4A3 105mm HVSS ** Finished!! Pics on pg. 6 - 12/06/08 **

WOW GRRRREEEAAAAT! work!!! that's one of the best sherman builds I've ever seen!

 Been following this very closely and the work and detail is incredible. The Figures the earth tones the weathering all without a flaw as I can see. Only question I would have is technical about where the antenna is tied down. It may well have been done that way but we always tied ours to the turret as it would pull the antenna apart when rotated.  Like I said just grasping at straws as it looks natural that way as well.

Very fine work indeed and one of the best late Shermans I have ever seen!

Huxy and K-dawg: Thank you very much!

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Man, this baby has sure taken a while to complete.
I'm calling this one 99% finished by now. Got the Ohio antenna mounted and tied it down to a lift ring with thin wire.
Seems like the tanker dudes are feeling quite at home, and I think they fit the vehicle well.
A small detail left to fix and that is to paint the leather pad inside the cupola hatch.

Here's some pics of the Sherman 99% complete with the tanker dudes...













So waddaya think?

Very nice work all around man.. The devil is in the details and you've certainly got'em! Well done.. Nice paint work as well..!

 

Kenneth

How long have you been modeling? Like, wow...

 

And your second try at figures? I've tried numerous tries and mine looks like crap... Like, how many tanks have you built before? it's just fantastic....

 

-Huxy

@panzerguy: Thank you very much, highly appreciated!

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Jumped from the figgies back to the Sherman last night.
I had totally forgot about the Ohio antenna so I had to do a quickie and scratch one, I used some pics as reference, and cut it at the length that Hans von Hammer informed me of on this forum.

The base is fairly close to the part as supplied by Dragon, although the two crescent-shaped black insulators are missing.
So, the insulators needed to be added, along with the top part needing to be bent because these antennas were usually tied to the vehicle in some manner. 
I used a slice of Evergreen tube, cut into two to provide the two crescent-shaped parts, these where then cemented to the base, allowed to dry, and then carefully drilled.
I also used thin wire wrapped around the middle section of the base to simulate the antenna cord, this wire was also routed through both insulators.



I drilled the top of the base to accept a 0.1 mm brass rod.  Although the real Ohio antenna was in 5 sections and tapered, that was going to be too difficult to try and represent in 1/35 scale. 
I slipped small pieces of wire insulation over the brass rod at the correct intervals to represent the screw sections. On the Sherman this antenna was about  305 cm so it became about 8,7 cm in 1/35.
I think it turned out quite nice, and I'm sure it'll look even better with some color on it.

Reckon I'll tie the antenna to the vehicle in a lift ring or something similar.

  

 

     I don't see anything to critique! Outstanding work Erik.

@terry35: Thank you very much!

@redleg12: Oh boy! Thank you very very much! Almost too much for a guy to take in, all these kind words. I've used acrylics for the figures. The faces were painted with the Andrea Flesh Paint set. I'll see if I can get aroundand make an SBS when I'll paint thenew TC for my old StuG IV. Thanx again!

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Recon I'll call it quits on these two guys now, unless anybody has anything to add/comment.
Added the divisonal and rank insignia last night in addition to a final weathering step.
Final weathering on the Sherman is next and then it's time to put these guys were they belong, exiting!

Finished figures...

TC...





Driver...





As always, critique is welcomed!

Per-Erik :)

Fantastic, the faces are a work of art. The scarf is unbelievable. The texture on the helmet is wonderful.

I may have missed it (I'm dense like that), but are you using oils for the figures or acrylic. Either way, would love a description of how you did the face work.

Rounds Complete!!

That is simply beautiful work. simlpy superb.

Thanks for posting those brilliant shots.

Terry.

@doog: Thanx Karl! I really appreciate the kudos, since this is my first two serious tries on figure painting(I can see now that my StuG TC really sucked!). Thank you!

Nothing fancy about the camera really, it's just a Canon Ixus 50. Really good lighting, a photo tent and a tripod can do wonders IMHO.

@wbill76: Thanx! You point out a couple of my favorite details too. Can't wait to put them in the Sherman. Thanx again!

Your hard-work and patience have paid off...all the little details are just right IMHO particularly the scarf, the intercom wiring, etc. These two are going to be right at home in your Sherman, no doubt about it.

WOW, Per-Erik, and I do mean WOW!

Those faces are just perfect!The expressioins are just tremendously rendered!

I have to tel you also, that I'm impressed with your camera! I can't believe the "macro" setting you have!

Lacking some detail painting and some filters and washes so I recon these guys are about 95% finished.

Need to "polish" the TC's boots and add some wear and tear to them. His goggles looks a bit cloudy in the pics due to the fact that the Kristal Kleer isn't totally dry yet. I painted the inside of the goggles OD to replicate the helmet below, and added Kristal Kleer in several layers to try and replicate the "glass".

Chose to use a bit of "artistic freedom" regarding the colors on the M1941 combat jacket and bib overall. These are a bit "boring" color wise, but I checked some pics and found that I could get away with the color variation.
For the bib overalls I mixed Tamiya Dark Yellow and Buff and for the M1941 jacket i mixed Buff and Deck Tan. Highlights were done with Vallejo Panzer Aces Highlights US Tanker and white.

I must say that I respect figure painters, this is really difficult and time consuming.

Suggestions for changes and critique are welcome.

Here's the dude's so far...

The TC...







I made wires for the internal head set in the helmet with thin wire from a loudspeaker.
Saw this in a picture and decided to add this as a little detail. ;)




Here's the driver so far...
Decided to add some color to this guy, so I painted his scarf off white with red stripes. Recon it's not by the book, but in a combat situation I wouldn't think it'd matter. ;)

Thank you very much for the kind words, guys! I really appreciate it.

Kinda put the Sherman aside on the bench for a while and started on the figgies for it.
Applied some more mud splatters to the tranny cover and fenders before putting it aside...



Man, I tell ya it's a p.i.t.a. to paint figgies. Highlights, shadows you name it.
Started with the faces on both of the dudes, the commander and the driver.
I've started the uniforms, but no pics of that yet.

Here's a couple of pics of the guys so far, they are slowly developing a personal expression...

Commander...





Driver...

I am soo sorry that I just caught your WIP.  Your pigment work is stunning.  The effect that you achived is beautiful.

Keep up the great work and I'll be watching for more.  It makes me want to break out my firefly.

 

   Marvelous!, Spectacular! Unbelieveable detail! Too Cool for words...

   P.S.: You da man! You da Sherman man!!!  

the doog wrote:

OH MAN! GORGEOUS!!!! JUST GORGEOUS! Makes me wanna slap my mamma!

@Doog: He he! Don't you go slappin' you mamma over this!

Thanx for the kudos man, I appreciate it very much!

@Stick Man: Thank you.

Thats just to good!!!!!! it's AMAZING!!!! I wish I could get reasalts like that

GGGRRREEEAAAT work!!!!!! 

OH MAN!

GORGEOUS!!!! JUST GORGEOUS!

Makes me wanna slap my mamma!

@RBaer: Thank you very much for the kudos.

I'll be home with belts on.... ( Dolly Parton re-written!  )

Got a couple of things done this evening, and finally got the tracks mounted.
Had to shorten the kit supplied DS tracks with one link, even with the idler in the most rearward position, no biggy, but kinda lame on Dragons behalf.
With that being done it was time to match the weathering on the lower hull with the tracks.
Did the same "layering" with the pigments on the tracks, and I feel it came out pretty good.
I also had a go on the front and rear with the pigments before I mounted the tracks, and I used a bit of MIG Dark Wash to simulate oil stains and stuff.

I also got my tie down rope today, so finally I'll be able to tie down the stowage with non-fraying rope...yihaa! ;)

Here's the result of this evenings work...






 

 

Wow, I'm glad I took another look over here. This is one fine example of Shermania!

@WarHammer25: Thank you very much!

@the doog: WOW Karl, thanx a lot!!! This sure is a great compliment coming from one who's work I admire.
I saw that Rick Lawler had answered your fixer Q so I won't repeat that.
Again, thanx a LOT!

@stick man: Thank you very much!

@RickLawler: Thanx a lot Rick! I've seen some of your great work over at the MIG forum so your comments are very much valued. Thanx again!

Thanx for answering the fixer question too.

Very well done with the pigments.  Nice color variation and overall balance.

the doog wrote:

Is that pigment fixer really anything much different than regular mineral spirits?

Doog, yes there is a difference.  Spirits work very good for application and keeping the pigments more or less in place, but the Fixer locks them down permenently, plus it has a quality to it which will allow you to blow, or dust the pigments on lightly and they will stick - works great for light, dusty effects.

Again, nice work on the Sherman,

Rick

the doog wrote:

OUTSTANDING!!!!  Seriously, this looks phenomenal!!!! WOW! That is just one of the best applications of pigments I've ever seen!

  

That absolutly INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!  

GRATE JOB!!!!

 

OUTSTANDING!!!!

 Seriously, this looks phenomenal!!!! WOW! That is just one of the best applications of pigments I've ever seen!

Is that pigment fixer really anything much different than regular mineral spirits?

Looks awesome Stampede. Great work with the mud.

@jthurston: Thanx, appreciated!

Been kinda slow progress on this here Sherman lately.
The wife found out all by her lonesome that we oughta do some rebuilding at home. So it's been quite a bit of building, but not models. The upside of it is that I got myself a bigger hobby room!     | |) Not much activity there lately either but I got a little bit done yesterday and this evening.

I've started the pigment phase.
Mixed a light mix of MIG P026 Concrete, P028 Europe Dust og P037 Gulf War Sand. Put it on with an old brush and used Pigment Fixer to set it.

First step...


Then I mixed a 2nd darker blend. Applied this too with the old brush and used the fixer to set it aswell. I found it to be smart to re-wet the entire section so that no tide marks were left from the Fixer as it dried. The colors I used are in the pic.

Step two...


Then I used MIG Dark Wash to re-define earlier made oil stains, stains by the wheel hubs, grease nipples etc. Not so visible in the pic, but it's there. ;)



Finally I mixed a 3rd even darker blend to put a layer down low and on the road wheels. Re-wet the entire area with the Fixer, and here's the result. The colors I used are in the pic.




Hopefully I'll get some more work done in the near future on this one.
Time will show...  ;)
 

Man, this is one seriously sweet build!!! you're makin me wanna do a Shermie...time to check the stash...

 

@wing_nut: Thanx! I agree with you regarding the rope, I don't like it that much either. I recon I need to find a better alternative.

@doog: Thanx man! She's coming along slowly but SHurely... Glad you liked the stowage too.

@bultenibo: Thanx Tony! Glad you like it, and thanx for the professional built comment *bow*. I'm not planning any vacations until the end of september, so hopefully it'll be finished before that time.

@RBaer: Thanx again!

@redleg12: Thank you very, very, very much!

@Townsy11: Wow, thank you! 

@Wirraway: Dito on the rope, I'm searching for an alternative. Thanx for the cudos, just doing the best I can manage.