M4 High Speed Tractor + 155mm gun

[willem]

Hi all

Right now building the M4 High Speed Tractor from Hobby Boss.
The kit is well detailed, including PE sheet, chains etc.
Fitting is very good, only little cleanup needed.
The manual however has some flaws, but with some online build reviews it can be done.

The dry-fit so far, with first primer and some basic interior colors

Dashboard done, will be inserted later

Added some more detail, plumbing and wiring to the engine, because the upper part will be visible.

I will use these Verlinden mechanics

Instead of the 90 mm gun belonging to this kit, I have an 155 mm gun.
Therefore another ammunition box is required, which I did scratch myself from pictures.

Now one question:
There is an outer muffler on the roof which can look weathered and/or rusty.
But how would the inner muffler and the exhaust manifold look like after few months service ?

Im referring to this:

I could not find any color pictures online, searched like crazy.
Any help welcome !

Thanks for looking, Willem

 

[wds]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss

You are off to a good start!
Thanks for letting us have a look.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[jknaus]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss

Looking good Willem. Will watch with interest as I have one of these in the stash to build.
James

 

[MrT]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss



Terrry

 

[Tony lee]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss

That's neat Willem

Tony lee

 

[Bagge]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss

Nice build Willem the exhaust will probably have a burnt rusty lookdepending how close to the engine it is, far from the engine and covered from the weather it can maybe have some paint still on it but probably misscoloured.
Wish i could help more

//Mats

 

[willem]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

Hi all

Some progress.
Interior is done, some gear and stuff, including some dustening and weathering on the floor.

The lower hull and tracks are painted and ready for weathering

The self scratched ammunition box for 155 mm grenades, including a tarp, looks good to me.

Already added the hook of the gun, it would be more difficult later.

Started the work on the cab (yes there is a pinup on the back wall)

I leave out the canvas doors, as they were only used in bad weather, which will not be the case.

Next: the drivers figure, finishing the cab, finishing the engine roof.

Further weathering will be done on the diorama ground because dust and colors have to be the same.

Thanks for looking,

Willem

 

[MrT]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

Stay with it! Looking good so far.

Terry B)

 

[Paulw]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

Thats pretty neat but is that a pack of Lucky Strikes next to that bed roll?

 

[moon puppy]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

I think that's one of the problems with the world right now, not enough Pin Ups! :dance

Looks fine Willem

 

[ij001]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

That is so nice, really like this wee project. Tell me, are those headlamp guards in the kit, or are they from an etch-set ?? - They look excellent.

Ian

 

[willem]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

Thanks all

- PaulW: Yes those are Lucky Strikes
But: while the decal is described as 1/35, I think it is too large for just one packet.
Maybe it is a 4-pack, 6-pack or something.

- Ian: Yes, those guards are in the kit. There is a PE-sheet included, with some sweeties
Still they are very tricky to do.
A small plastic mould is on the sprue, but the manual doesnt mention it.....
After carefully bending in that mould, place it on the light (10 holes !), then use a thin wire to guide some instant glue
Takes some sweat, but we are modelers, right :gogo

See you next time,

Willem

 

[lupanzer]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update may 28]

...great job so far

Luiz

 

[willem]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

Hi all

Tractor is ready for weathering, dust, pigments etc, which will be done later on the groundwork.

Last full view on the driver (Tamiya with some adjustments)

Vehicle:

I tried something special with exhaust:
Not factory new (green) and also not completely rusted as usual, but a phase inbetween.
Imagine just a week or so in service.
I did it by fading into shades of green, grey, blue and brown.
Hope it looks alright, never did this before.

This is the idea for the mecanics on an improvised platform:

A start with the gun
This is an older Italeri, which means a lot of polishing and cleaning.
Further is has far too little detail, had to improve it with many small scratched extra,
guided by pictures of the real thing.

Next: Gun, figures and starting the diorama groundworks.

Thanks for looking,

Willem

 

[Bagge]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

great work Willem!!

//Mats

 

[SA Dave]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

That is nice looking VERY NICE

 

[MrT]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

Coming along.

Terry

 

[jknaus]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

Nice
James

 

[lupanzer]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

...great work

Luiz

 

[ij001]

M4 High Speed Tractor Hobby Boss [update June 16]

Agree with everyone else, it really is coming-along very well.

Ian