Getting close to paint. Still had headlight guards and some Formations taillights, aux sight on turret, left side and rear sand shield strips, 2 little fender braces, some more casting numbers, et al. Im down to just piddly stuff
I can't stand it, I have to do it..... I have several of the later boxings of the M4A3/75, so that's the base kit. The other Tammy kit is for spare parts, who knows.... I plan to take the DML turret only, but I'll pick through that one as well, may have some better detail parts for the rear plate. And the Tasca suspension looks pretty good, and I've had it in the stash for way too long. Not sure on the tracks yet, but I have three different types handy. My goal will be a late M4A3/76 Wet, ETO, Spring of '45. A point other than the one on top of my head: Any quickie tips about the suitability of the Tamiya basic kit for what I'm doing would be appreciated. I still haven't popped for Son of Sherman, so I'm not going to try especially hard for pin-point accuracy, but I would like to avoid having any turds in the punch bowl, so to speak.
Took the side door off the kit turret and replaced the resin part which was too far off a proper fit, also the oval resin hatch detail is poor so im gonna scratch my own.
Trying to get back into this one, (my computer crashed last week end). I finished up most of the putty and filling areas that need done, added sand shield brackets from the parts box, and scratch built the filler cap and splash guard arrangement as seen on the Ford Built M4A3’s
Sherman porn! Gary, the assist springs look fabooowhas! How did you do them? BJ, lookin' sharp there too. I actually started my build Friday night but have yet to get pics. Been a bit busy, but I should have time tonight. One thing I did find out was that the T23 turret from that old Dragon kit looks to be a poor copy of Italeri's part, so I've started building up the sides to show some slope, copying a newer DML turret. I'd chuck it but I don't want to get in to the only other kit I have with the same turret, plus I got that whole kit for $5.
Except for a few more casting numbers and maybe a tow cable I'm sticking a fork in the construction of this. Disregard the water drops...dumb dog. John, yours is definitely cleaner. To be painted with blacked out stars on Okinawa.
PS. Just for info I build on a lexan cutting board in the front seat of a pickup truck at work. About the only work I do at home is with the airbrush.
Looking real good. I'm back in the saddle, and have a few pics of my progress. I'm pretty surprised at how far off the old DML turret is, so I'm coopying this: I'd just use it but it's the earlier round loader's hatch turret, and I want the small oval hatch, so I'm adding some strip to bulk it up now.... More to add, still. The hull and bogies are moving along also, using some parts from the DML kit here as well, and the Tasca bogies, one with a pair of Academy wheels. I plan on copying this hull bottom's access hatches: Shermans make me happy, happy, happy!
Plugged some holes and did some more shaping around the top of the turret side door, but needs some more attention. Added new rear lifting eyes on the rear turret as the others snapped off.
Hope to wrap up the turret and start throwing some PE and parts on the hull. Not gonna redo all the welds....it just aint in me!