M51 'Super Sherman' (Long build 1)

[ij001]

Academy's M51 'Isherman'; one of those off-and-on builds that often wander around my workbench. Thought I'd show it here as it's been a while since I did an AFV build.

Wasn't expecting too much from the kit, but it's surprised me. Fit is excellent, detail is very, very good for a its' time (1997). As you see it here the main construction is 90% done, just the outside main wheels to add, which I'll do after painting & weathering the rest. The enormous travel lock for the 90mm cannon has also been left-off for now to aid with painting the 'go faster stripe' over the rear deck. Planning on doing this as a 'kerbside' model, so no figures and no storage, but that might change.

Thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to add a comment or ask a question. More progress in a few weeks - no rush.

AFN

Ian.

 

[ij001]

Out of the three 'long builds' this has gone the furthest:

My own 'Sinai Grey' base coat.

Now with white highlights.

And then Tamiya 'Hull Red' shadows.

Followed by a second much lighter coat of the base 'Sinai Grey'.

Next I mixed some grey enamel into turps/thinners to make a filter and brushed it all over the hull & turret. Then I clear coated it with Tamiya (aerosol) gloss and added the decals.

Next a medium brown pin-wash which didn't go at all well and some chipping, this looks a bit 'loud' in this pic, but will calm down a lot after some pigments and final filter & flat-coat.

Lastly for now, and where it is up to as I write this, another much darker pin-wash and started picking-out the details like the mantlet cover, tools, jerry cans etc. Lots more to do before the finish line. OK thassit for now for the Super Sherman, thanks for taking the time to look and please feel free to comment, question and criticise.

Ian.

 

[moon puppy]

Very interesting...

 

[Sherman 18]

Looking good.

Even though it's twenty one years old now I like that kit. Parts of it I think are better than the Tamiya one.

Can't wait until the next update

 

[ij001]

Very interesting...

So in my head, I see this as post 'Six-Day War', stripped-back (hence no .50cal, no spares & stowage etc). and waiting in the queue for a refit & refurb. Would love to find a figure in mechanics overalls that I could use to illustrate the story - if anyone could help with that...



Ian.

 

[lupanzer]

...and I was missing this one :facepalm ... great job my friend

Luiz.

 

[iambrb]

Neat subject- IDF armor is becoming a fave!

That is a good choice, be aware the M51 packed a 105mm

I have the Tamiya and will start it in a few months

I have been reading "Six Days in June" by Eric Hammel, and it is about the '67 war. Of particular note is how the Super Shermans were used in the battles for the Sinai. There were a series of fights for a strategic area or two on the drive thru Abu Ageilia in which the Shermans took pat and were decisive, particularly at a set of bluffs off of the major highway there called Umm Katef. If you Google "Nitzana Israel", then follow the highway West to Obulae market, in Israel, then go to 'Satellite' view and look west. you will a bluff in ruins with a lot of circular bomb craters. That is Umm Katef. The Israelis used the Shermans to draw the attention of the Egyptians as the Centurion force went 'round that to the South, and rolled up the rear, pretty much what they did in 1956.