I started this one to model a particular Sherman, and about half way through the build, I discovered I had the wrong final drive housing on it, (Tranny nose). So, I had to start over on that project leaving this one to collect dust.
After reading Tankart 2, I have decided to pull this one out, dust it off, and bang it out so I can get an Olive Drab fix. I’ll be building this with no particular Sherman in mind. Just something to paint and weather.
I had an old Jordi Rubio barrel laying around, so I decided to use it. I had to modify the gun mount as the Jordi barrel was to short.
I also have the tracks test fitted, they will come back off for painting. I still have a bit of detail parts to clean up and assemble yet.
I was afraid of having problems with the kit tracks. Came home from work today to find the track split in two. It’s odd how it split right down the guide teeth. Tracks where installed on the model, and it was just sitting on the bench. I have an extra pair from another kit that gets AM tracks. If I keep having problems, I’ll get AM tracks for this one.
I'm in!! Looking like you are well on your way there BJ!! LOL..the closest thing I had going to a shermie in a while was the M7...well it was at least one from below!! LOL!!!! Bring it on!!!
Youz guyz are the experts on these beasts I just know how to find stuff in 23 languages...LOL!!! I will start figuring out where all my "stuff" is and get things ready to load up!!
There he is!! Howz it going Eric?!! I knew it wouldn't be long before you shown up!!! You need to get that last beastie posted soon! Crazy good stuff there!!
Right on Big John! Love your Shermans buddy. Lets see this bad boy come together with the Big John Magic touch. You did mention to the guys you bleed Olive Drab?
Right on Big John! Love your Shermans buddy. Lets see this bad boy come together with the Big John Magic touch. You did mention to the guys you bleed Olive Drab?
Thanks Gar!!
Actually, Ken Abrams bleeds Olive Drab, I’m just addicted to it
Post by sdaufkla (Mike Roof) on Jul 15, 2013 15:42:26 GMT -5
Looking really good John!
BTW: I had the same problem with the tracks from my Tasca "Akuyaku #1" - aggravating!! Both the main tracks and the dorsal track are made of the Tasca DS "gluable" plastic, and both have split on me. When I examine the vinyl parts of the tracks under magnification and good light, they're show small cracks and fissures at any point where they're bent. My tracks just split apart, too.
What's worse, there's no AM solution to finding new tracks for the "Akuyaku #1" - it's a total fantasy subject. Not sure what I'm gonna do now. Scratch building seems like waaay too much work for what was supposed to be a fun "decompression" build after my last marathon project.
The only disappointing experience I've ever had with a Tasca product. However, the kit was d@M&! expensive (over US$70) after shipping and currency exchange fees... Argh... back into the box and on the shelf to gather dust for now...
The experience will definitely make me shy away from using Tasca's flexible, one-piece tracks on any other build, though. Fortunately there're plenty of track options for their Shermans.
Thanks for the input mike! I was thinking that I may have had to much tension on the tracks, as you very well know, the idler is adjustable, so I took a pair of bent needle nose tweezers and grabbed the cam plate (spindle) in a wrench like fashion and adjusted the tension out to where I didn’t have any slack in the tracks.
I really like panda tracks, but I just finished my “Cobra King” last fall, and the tracks where A bit mind numbing, LOL
I knew I would talk my self into panda tracks on this one, LOL
Back from vacation and getting back to normal here at home. I’m starting to get a little bench time again. I found an old Custom Diaoramics PE set in my stash, so I used the tie downs on the Tasca kit tools. I also scratch built some tool brackets on the rear for the sledge hammer and track tension tool.
Build is pretty much finished. Here are a few pics. I gave it a good bath to clean construction dust and skin oils off of it. It goes to the paint shop this weekend.