I decided to scratch build all the odds and ends unique to a US Marine Corps tank on Iwo Jima. I'm using sheet and strip for the wading trunks and various rod and sheet to fill unsightly holes. The entire engine deck and sponson tops will be covered with sand bags, but I just didn't want to take any chances.
Obligatory start shot.
I began with the upper wading attachment. I took strip and just eyeballed it from here.
You can see where I filled the big ditches on the rear of the hull.
Nice start, G. I keep telling myself I'm going to do a Shermie with stacks, and even have Academy's and Italeri's wading Shermies in the stash, but I think I'll watch you first...
A hectic week and the promise of in laws visiting starting tomorrow sent my schedule into a tailspin.
Began with the turret.
I added back some stretched sprue to replicate that seam in the turret bustle. No finished shots just yet.
A self proclaimed expert on another site decreed I do that texture thing all wrong. I no longer visit that site, in fact a lot of folks don't anymore. Their loss. While I was at it I added texture to other cast parts.
I couldn't resist adding those track block holders seen on 4th and 5th Battalion tanks.
You can see the strip I used to add fender detail. In fact I have yet to use any AM or PE parts preferring to roll my own. Here are stretched sprue weld beads. The rest of the hull will be covered with sandbags so I only did what might be seen.
Let me know how you attach the rear most stack. Mine is nowhere near correct ,but... I'm like you in that if I can avoid PE I will with a passion. Im getting too old and my hands start to shake too much after about 10 minutes for the precision of PE. You aren't copying my Iwo 4th tank are you?
I started the stowage last night, spares box goodies covered with a tarp from Aves two-part putty and an air ID panel, painting started only. I need to let the putty set up some more before I take it all off to paint. I'll also re-do the tie-down after painting, it's there now just to help form the tarps.
Hmmm..... I have pics of the finished model, but not on a clean background, and I would have waited to post up until I got some good shots, but I kind of had a change of heart. My long-time neighbor passed away last week, and he rode a Sherman in WWII, so in remembrance of Charlie Shafer, here's "Charlie's Tank": I'll get some proper pics taken soon, but in the meantime, this one's off to Scalefest tomorrow.
Sponson armor is .030 sheet cut to fit and scribed to look like two planks. I added the wood grain with my razor saw blade by scraping the teeth over the sheet. Same with the individual planks covering the front slope. I used hex rod for the bolt heads.
Been a busy couple of weeks, but I am still in this!