Post by gary on Aug 22, 2015 17:04:07 GMT -5
I was planning on something completely different and more modern for my next build but the temptation to start this one was far too great for me to resist! This time round it's an early M4A3 with direct vision cast hoods and a 75mm gun/turret built by the Ford Motor Company in early 1943.
Those who followed my recent M4A2 build will recall that I had a spare hull and I'm utilising that here. The rear end of the M4A2 hull has a slightly different angle which I've already amended, but the main difference will be up the front end where the initial builds used cast direct vision hoods.
I initially wanted to get hold of an M4A2 DV hull from Asuka but they have sold out of them. I then remembered I built one of these a while back but hadn't turned out that well. So I decided to utilise parts from that kit.
After removing the required from section from the 'donor' kit (not an easy task when already built up!), I set about removing the corresponding section from the new hull. The antenna pot for the A3 differs from the A2 so that was also removed. A pair of styrene strips were added to the inside to ensure the front section stays correctly aligned (you can see one of these though the hatch openings) before the replacement section is cemented in place....
Some minor filling was required along with weld seams around the hoods and MG mount being removed. I also replaced the turret splash between the hoods and replaced it with a piece to match the cast type used on this version. After adding some casting effects using Mr Surfacer, Archer provided the weld details with their resin decals....
Gary
Those who followed my recent M4A2 build will recall that I had a spare hull and I'm utilising that here. The rear end of the M4A2 hull has a slightly different angle which I've already amended, but the main difference will be up the front end where the initial builds used cast direct vision hoods.
I initially wanted to get hold of an M4A2 DV hull from Asuka but they have sold out of them. I then remembered I built one of these a while back but hadn't turned out that well. So I decided to utilise parts from that kit.
After removing the required from section from the 'donor' kit (not an easy task when already built up!), I set about removing the corresponding section from the new hull. The antenna pot for the A3 differs from the A2 so that was also removed. A pair of styrene strips were added to the inside to ensure the front section stays correctly aligned (you can see one of these though the hatch openings) before the replacement section is cemented in place....
Some minor filling was required along with weld seams around the hoods and MG mount being removed. I also replaced the turret splash between the hoods and replaced it with a piece to match the cast type used on this version. After adding some casting effects using Mr Surfacer, Archer provided the weld details with their resin decals....
Gary