Sherman 18
Master at Arms
Alright I teased about a top secret project.
I went and started with this DML M3A1 halftrack, well because it is cool. You guys should know by now that i can't just build something from the box. I was hoping this could/would kick start me out of my funk that I've been in. I think it has. The progress has been trouble free, I mean things are just clicking. So here it is as of Sunday night. Still lots and lots to do.
reference images
the kit
I started with the rear compartment floor, a drill press, dremel, files and 120 and 320 sand paper were used to remove the seats
I then added holes for the fuel gauge and fuel gauge plug in the fuel tanks. I also filled in the seat indentation on the right tank with styrene strip and some putty. I made the fuel gauge cover and plug from styrene tubing and strip
Added casting texture to rear suspension
I opened the battery box and started to scratch build the second battery box that Israel added to the halftracks
Since the battery box is open now I made a battery to stick in the box out of styrene strip
Added a brake line to the rear differential
I removed the molded in gas can support on the right and left side of the cab. I then filled the hole with strip styrene. You can see where I opened up the lower part of the right side cab for the battery.
Yes the M113 engine from an Academy kit does fit
I went and started with this DML M3A1 halftrack, well because it is cool. You guys should know by now that i can't just build something from the box. I was hoping this could/would kick start me out of my funk that I've been in. I think it has. The progress has been trouble free, I mean things are just clicking. So here it is as of Sunday night. Still lots and lots to do.
reference images
![9803144_o.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F9803144_o.jpg&hash=e5f8df19d22d76816c1e68ef8a6b3938)
![2_n~0.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F2_n%7E0.jpg&hash=52f6e6cf8d097684932018a0a75f9494)
the kit
![077_zpsyn0i69vb.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F077_zpsyn0i69vb.jpg&hash=1f7615cd06974502e84810d1a4deae08)
I started with the rear compartment floor, a drill press, dremel, files and 120 and 320 sand paper were used to remove the seats
![078_zpsytzjkdtk.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F078_zpsytzjkdtk.jpg&hash=246143035d77f7e245a9ae3f25d5aec7)
![079_zpsosfffli2.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F079_zpsosfffli2.jpg&hash=7b2cd8eb66091a47e5fe616c8230d0e4)
![081_zpsfyrtduvj.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F081_zpsfyrtduvj.jpg&hash=0ec9b13c7bcf25120ea0f927ab30b55a)
![082_zpssnifjgqo.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F082_zpssnifjgqo.jpg&hash=47bf9c82c5981ef2796c46381c2acd41)
I then added holes for the fuel gauge and fuel gauge plug in the fuel tanks. I also filled in the seat indentation on the right tank with styrene strip and some putty. I made the fuel gauge cover and plug from styrene tubing and strip
![099_zpscousg7xp.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F099_zpscousg7xp.jpg&hash=4e296aaa0ea4f21b58feffdbc18e23e5)
![100_zps4zo4n5d9.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F100_zps4zo4n5d9.jpg&hash=8d25f40e0146b3c635edbd099738aae9)
![101_zpsfndc4yjf.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F101_zpsfndc4yjf.jpg&hash=f3d1e5935309a268666410cf12fd031c)
![102_zpsmkplqfkw.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F102_zpsmkplqfkw.jpg&hash=3b27968e1e8e601b8650de315eb6d76e)
Added casting texture to rear suspension
![103_zpsjofek8fk.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F103_zpsjofek8fk.jpg&hash=f2c4c45e83044dc4b149c74cdda84af1)
I opened the battery box and started to scratch build the second battery box that Israel added to the halftracks
![104_zpsixvrjptz.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F104_zpsixvrjptz.jpg&hash=2b5bfd6d4fbba2096faac2da5f2f5e93)
![105_zpsnrfwgjdr.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F105_zpsnrfwgjdr.jpg&hash=697c3eec7d3cd684b0eb17210fbdc2ac)
![106_zps7u786av4.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F106_zps7u786av4.jpg&hash=19bc4e12cb5e5e7f8f1303f8d3fb0c58)
Since the battery box is open now I made a battery to stick in the box out of styrene strip
![098_zps0jjn1qtc.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F098_zps0jjn1qtc.jpg&hash=e68de609278f176c7749442a2a1fa53b)
Added a brake line to the rear differential
![096_zpsgw5ccvtc.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F096_zpsgw5ccvtc.jpg&hash=75bcea991851895544d585769605c6cf)
![097_zpsqr6uf3lk.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F097_zpsqr6uf3lk.jpg&hash=3328ff0ea3faf0c13fbbf72dff4219f8)
I removed the molded in gas can support on the right and left side of the cab. I then filled the hole with strip styrene. You can see where I opened up the lower part of the right side cab for the battery.
![086_zpsbldsebi3.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F086_zpsbldsebi3.jpg&hash=539ef2b52611f975e91d70e59ba3d399)
![094_zps1sabtbjw.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F094_zps1sabtbjw.jpg&hash=0d014db612ed1565e3e7b083b6d8c405)
![095_zpsuhrjvfj5.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F095_zpsuhrjvfj5.jpg&hash=e42197dd9df51dd6fd99c1f391fd3350)
![092_zps3zlufq16.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F092_zps3zlufq16.jpg&hash=1d54db37f688c5bfac3e77c714aaf89e)
![093_zpsdea7hty0.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F093_zpsdea7hty0.jpg&hash=15151eca704a4219f3cfa5c1e8604b2a)
Yes the M113 engine from an Academy kit does fit
![085_zpsaydgxlpj.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F085_zpsaydgxlpj.jpg&hash=7c4a87626e5208f974e35dc0f078a558)
![084_zpssmov3z6j.jpg](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.modelersalliance.com%2Fgallery%2Falbums%2Fuserpics%2F10410%2F084_zpssmov3z6j.jpg&hash=190826f48a370d36c2469776f268bbad)