Sherman 18
Master at Arms
COOL! 
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Tamiya M51 Sherman - ADDENDUM ADDED
- Thread starter iambrb
- Start date
iambrb
Well-known member
As an addendum to the tracks, I will again repeat, they are really well detailed, but this should give you an idea as to the work required. The basic issue is tht NONE of this is click, it just slides together, and glued, more on that later. Every link will basically consist of the link, a guide horn, and a cleat on the end (Names are likely incorrect. Just go with it...) So each one is tiny and must be clipped off and cleaned with a hobby knife, sanding stick, or both:
guide horn
links
cleat
note that the instructions tell you to attach several of these at one time, but the issue is how to cleanly remove them from the sprue once attached? There isn't really, so I found it better to cut/pile them as shown.
As stated earlier, none of this clicks together, it is all my friction, or rather, it falls apart SUPER easy, so I basically glued several guide horns and links together, maybe 4 or so, then attached the outer cleats, gluing as I go. Total PITA, but the end result admittedly, is quite nice. this run of about 26 track links total took nearly an hour of work, after everything was separated & cleaned
Point I am making is, although these are quite good, and less than half the cost of metal links, the metal links I think will not require nearly this amount of time. So I guess the trade-off is one of time/money, eh?
guide horn
links
cleat
note that the instructions tell you to attach several of these at one time, but the issue is how to cleanly remove them from the sprue once attached? There isn't really, so I found it better to cut/pile them as shown.
As stated earlier, none of this clicks together, it is all my friction, or rather, it falls apart SUPER easy, so I basically glued several guide horns and links together, maybe 4 or so, then attached the outer cleats, gluing as I go. Total PITA, but the end result admittedly, is quite nice. this run of about 26 track links total took nearly an hour of work, after everything was separated & cleaned
Point I am making is, although these are quite good, and less than half the cost of metal links, the metal links I think will not require nearly this amount of time. So I guess the trade-off is one of time/money, eh?
Nice work! 
iambrb
Well-known member
OK so got some paint on it today!
here is my first stab at modulation in VERY bright mid-day sunlight:
And I popped these shots indoors:
at 90 degrees, the humidity and heat index are saying it feels like it is nearly 100, and trust me, they are not far from wrong - WHEW! So at this point I pooped out and called it day. After all, I am doing this on the porch & still have to clean all this up before the better half gets home!
So I already showed it to Eric & MP, and they are correctly suggesting I nit the original color in a really light 'mist' to tone it down a bit on the upper surfaces. What y'all think?
here is my first stab at modulation in VERY bright mid-day sunlight:
And I popped these shots indoors:
at 90 degrees, the humidity and heat index are saying it feels like it is nearly 100, and trust me, they are not far from wrong - WHEW! So at this point I pooped out and called it day. After all, I am doing this on the porch & still have to clean all this up before the better half gets home!
So I already showed it to Eric & MP, and they are correctly suggesting I nit the original color in a really light 'mist' to tone it down a bit on the upper surfaces. What y'all think?
Looks swell Bruce.
iambrb
Well-known member
There you go...that looks better. Now start laying down the Pin Wash...and Pin Wash EVERY detail
:v
Aye-aye, Cap’n! :salute
Heavens Eagle
Well-known member
iambrb
Well-known member
Hey thanks man! It is my nature at this point to over do it, I keep looking at the T-62 and by following your ‘less is more’ philosophy I have to say it came out very nice! Reason I stopped is to adhere to that philosophy if it kills me!
So on the Sherm I am going to do the same, thanks so much for those pics, they are REALLY helpful!
So on the Sherm I am going to do the same, thanks so much for those pics, they are REALLY helpful!
iambrb
Well-known member
I am so sorry that I have not had time to do much work....darn this thing we call real life!!!
(good news is, I got a new (to me) Iphone 7 and man the increase in the quality of the pics over my old Iphone 5 are just great!
OK, FINALLY got some decals on it. These are from STAR DECALS, an they are my absolute fav-o-rite dee-cal (deck-uhl to you chaps across the pond) manufacturer! They cut easy, need only about 15 seconds of soaking, lay on smooth and I have never had any issues with silvering on this, the Egyptian IS-III, or several others I can name! So there are really just two views:
Oh and not sure if all are aware, but Hobby Lobby now carries a chrome paint pen right in the model section! With the 40% off coupon, it's less than $9 USD after taxes, and looks great! Here it is applied to the Shermie's Searchlight:
Now just to clearcoat and on to the stowage!
(good news is, I got a new (to me) Iphone 7 and man the increase in the quality of the pics over my old Iphone 5 are just great!
OK, FINALLY got some decals on it. These are from STAR DECALS, an they are my absolute fav-o-rite dee-cal (deck-uhl to you chaps across the pond) manufacturer! They cut easy, need only about 15 seconds of soaking, lay on smooth and I have never had any issues with silvering on this, the Egyptian IS-III, or several others I can name! So there are really just two views:
Oh and not sure if all are aware, but Hobby Lobby now carries a chrome paint pen right in the model section! With the 40% off coupon, it's less than $9 USD after taxes, and looks great! Here it is applied to the Shermie's Searchlight:
Now just to clearcoat and on to the stowage!
Skinny_Mike
Well-known member
Nice work Bruce!
I really like this version of the Sherman, just looks meaner
I really like this version of the Sherman, just looks meaner
iambrb
Well-known member
As my MIL would say "It's PEN....."
Sorry for not being on here as much as I would like, but have had little time - today I really had time only for the stowage install & paint. All of this stowage is from Value Gear, really great stuff!
Looks like now its ready for the weathering!
Looks really good there! Though I'm not sure about the red axe head however it goes give a nice little pop of color. 
I would paint the canvas cover on the mantlet a more brownish color...actually a OD would work good for that.
...and of Course the Pin Wash...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iekseD0IrfA
:v
I would paint the canvas cover on the mantlet a more brownish color...actually a OD would work good for that.
...and of Course the Pin Wash...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iekseD0IrfA
:v