My first vBench - M4A1 (76) W Sherman

[Robcio]

Hi
I’d like to welcome all great modellers from planetArmor, this is my first post in vBench blog, and first work after a 3 years break in modelling.
What I want to show you is Sherman M4A1 (76)W from Dragon – 1/35 scale.
I think that there is no need in telling about Sherman history, because everyone knows this tank from many Second World War battlefields, so I can move on to describing my work with this model.
At the beginning I had a big problem with making decision about what kind of Sherman I want to make. There are many Sherman variants so it’s hard to choose one, but finally I’ve decided to make M4A1 (76)W tank, because it’s easy to find documents and publications about it that can really help in making a model which closely corresponds to historical facts. Of course I’m sure that I could make some mistakes, and I hope that you can tell me what I made wrong.
For the most time I used an S. Zaloga publication "Modelling the M4 (76MM) Sherman" - it have really helped me to avoid some serious mistakes.
I was very disappointed after opening a box, because the body of tank haven’t got a right shape and the turret comes from M4A3 version instead of M4A1, so I was forced to change casting numbers place. I have also rebuilded split hatch. The hardest part was to fill some holes that I found between lower hull and tank body.
Here are the photos where you can see the results of my work, please about your comments and opinions!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03486.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03487.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03488.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03489.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03491.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03492.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03493.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03494.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03495.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03496.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03497.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03498.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03499.jpg


The most difficult thing to do was making a covers for periscopes (They are soldered from copper wires) and whole drivers hatch.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03463-1.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03460.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03461.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03465.jpg

Using the same technique as for periscopes I have also made stowage rack. All photoetch parts are from Aber.


http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03506.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03504.jpg

Best regards
Robert Ruszczyk

[James Tainton]

Looks like you still got the chops! Too bad your first vBench has to be a Sherman though.....(I kid) ;)
What kind of soldering gun is that BTW?

[Robcio]

It's a gas soldering gun Iroda - great quality for cheap price.
Here's a photo:
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03508.jpg

[panzerflix]

Great work and realy nice detailing.

pawel

PS. Swietna robota zeby nie bylo. ;)

[RickLawler]

Excellent work.

Rick

[Peter]

Great work!
And thanks, it´s a Sherman!

Peter

[Markus]

Very nice and clean work!
I love those periscope guards!

Peter,
And thanks, it´s a Sherman!
that´s sooooo typical :D

[Robcio]

Thank you for all positive feedbacks ;)
I know that Sherman is very popular, but personally I'm a fan of this tank, so that's why I choose it.:D

[Sergionex]

Hello hello my friend!
Nice to see you here on PA! I'm glad to finally see your Sherman! I hope to see the paint on it soon!
Again-welcome and best regards!
Sergiusz.

[Moon Puppy]

Great stuff, OK what's your source on that Soldering past?

[Sturmmann]

Beautiful clean build. :thumb: Thanks for sharing it with us.

dave

[Flak]

Welcome to PA...Great soldering job :thumb:

[Pvt Mutt]

That's why I don't care for the Sherman, you just can't
do much detailing on one of them.:D

WOW
..Tony the Mutt..

[Rayman]

Wow lots of mistakes, not so nice. Your corrections, very nice :thumb:
Great solder job on those tiny guards.

Ray

[Robcio]

Sergionex - Hey my old mate! I've finally found some time for work with that Sherman. Okay, I do my best with painting!:thumb:

Moon Puppy - It's a Koki solder paste, I know that you can't find it on ebay, but you can try buy it in your local electronic store (that's where I bought mine).


Also big thanks to other PA members, for your comments!;)

[parkadge]

Really good work but you've missed out on correcting one of DML's biggest mistakes with the kit the two filler caps beside the jatch on the rear deck shouldn't be there at all- they weren't present on the big hatch M4A1. This pic of an M4A1/76 from Prime portal shows what I mean

http://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/18971/11076.JPG

[Robcio]

Really good work but you've missed out on correcting one of DML's biggest mistakes with the kit the two filler caps beside the jatch on the rear deck shouldn't be there at all- they weren't present on the big hatch M4A1. This pic of an M4A1/76 from Prime portal shows what I mean

http://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/18971/11076.JPG Many thanks for telling me about this mistake! I must correct it.

[schlichtr]

Fantastic!!! Great job and great subject.

Roy

[Driver]

Incredible piece of work. Simply fantastic!

Ruben

[Ropi]

a question: is the pivotable hatch (w/ the MG support) sold apart somewhere?

[Robcio]

a question: is the pivotable hatch (w/ the MG support) sold apart somewhere?I have no idea where you can buy it apart, but you can get this hatch from M4A3 (105mm) DML model.

[Ropi]

thanks! The tank looks great so far :thumb:

[Robcio]

Hi all, I have a small update of my work for you, I've just finished my work on tank suspensions. I replaced the track skids with brass from Aber. I've also fixed pop rivets along the rims. This work made my eyes sick. :D

Soon I will paint tank!

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03524.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03515.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03510.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03512.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03519.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03520.jpg

Cheers!;)

[Sturmmann]

Nice work Rob. Really liked the wear and tear in the rubber of the roadwheels. Keep up the great work! :thumb:

dave

[Cadu Souza]

Rob,

Killer job with the PEs!!:thumb::thumb:


Best,
Cadu Souza

[Petarted]

looks great

[Flak]

Looks nice...

[malc ireson]

looking good

malc.

[Robcio]

Hi, another update of my work, this time I've painted a model with base foundation from Gunze Sangyo (very good product). I have also fixed a mistake with filler caps behind the hatch, that parkadge mentioned.
I will be painting it with Olive Drab colour soon.
Best regards

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030038.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030039.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030040.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030041.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030042.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030045.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030046.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030044.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030055.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030047.jpg

I've masked a periscope glasses with Vallejo Liquid Mask. The positive atribute about it, is that is very watery and it's not drying too fast like others.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030048.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030049.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030050.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030051.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030052.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/P1030053.jpg

[RickLawler]

Another wonderful update.

Rick

[Moon Puppy]

Looks great, nice clean build. What is the advantage of using "Mr Leveling Thinner" with "Mr Surfacer" as oppose to lacquer thinner?

[Robcio]

Thanks guys ! Moon Poopy. Using a Mr Leveling Thinner it takes longer the paint/surfacer drying than usual. Lacquer Thinner of Tamiya it's rather similiar to Mr Leveling Thinner. Both thinners so great.:)

[Tzanos]

I'm sure that's gonna be a very nice model! I will be in contact. Nice work!

[Moon Puppy]

Thanks guys ! Moon Poopy. Using a Mr Leveling Thinner it takes longer the paint/surfacer drying than usual. Lacquer Thinner of Tamiya it's rather similiar to Mr Leveling Thinner. Both thinners so great.:)

So it would be just your preference in thinner, there's no special quality with the brand or effect you get by its use?

[Robcio]

So it would be just your preference in thinner, there's no special quality with the brand or effect you get by its use?Yes certainly, that's right I prefer that kind of thinners :)

[Flak]

Great work always...

[Robcio]

Hey, I’ve got another update, this time I’ve painted a model with olive drab colour – Gunze Sangyo. It’s a mix from two paints: gray and original olive drab. I’ve protected a model using a semi gloss lacquer.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03529.jpg


Before painting with olive drab I have made an imitation of anticorrosion primer (using a Vallejo - burnt cadmium red) in a few places on model , such as: turret holds, hatch edges etc, and covered that places with liquid mask.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03531.jpg

After painting with olive drab and it’s drying, I have rub that places with a pencil rubber. In conclusion that places revealed an anticorrosion primer.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03533.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/DSC03534.jpg

What do you think about this technique I have used?
In result I want to have similar effect to this one, shown on the picture below.

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b274/matcio/corrosioneffect.jpg

Best regards!

[f1matt]

I'd say it looks just like the picture you posted of the real thing. Just don't get carried away. You'd end up with a marble Sherman. :D

[Sergionex]

Hello my friend!
Isn't it easier and more fun to simply paint this primer chips with a paintbrush? I think that you can have more control and more artistic appearance while paint them.

Best!
Sergiusz

[Robcio]

Hello Serge!
Yes you're right, the thing I've done here is only an experiment how it will be look like. That's why I haven't used this technique on whole tank body, only in this few places that you can see on photos. I didn't want go too far with that effect. The rest weathering will be done with using a paintbrush.
Best regards!