Those are two great looking Sherman’s looking forward to seeing them completed.
Mike: So yours is the M4A3E8 and your dad’s is the M4A1E8?
They both look great!
Thanks! That’s actually 3 different builds. One is mine and the other two are M-60 Tanker’s. I have one more E8 and a Pershing to build and he has another Dragon Sherman to go yet.
We’re building a platoon together for a large diorama.
That’s three builds you’re seeing. I’ve just been hosting my Dad’s work for him because these are all going into the same diorama.
I’m really looking forward to this diorama. It sounds like it will be awesome.
I hope so. You don’t typically see an entire platoon modelled.
As for M-60 Tanker’s progress, he’s almost done with a second build.
Oh DUH!!! Guess that explains why your dad’s tank looks like a M4A1E8 and a M4A3E8, because it’s both!!!
The dio sounds cool, looking forward to how it turns out.
M-60 tanker is doing some very nice work.
M-60 Tanker’s been playing with crew arrangements and finalizing the detail painting for both tanks.
I’ve been working over my model with some pin washes on the hull and painting the stowage.
Right now I’ve got a fresh coat of matte clear over a selective mix of green and brown washes over the boxes and gear.
I haven’t done the tools yet, and I’m sure I’ll be doing a few touch ups and some highlighting to further please the eyes lol.
Looks great Mike [Y]
I love the crew on M60’s two tanks and the storage on yours! [Y]
Big thanks, M.C. and Gam!
I finished the gear on the turret! Details, highlights, more pin washes and some decals for the German helmet trophy.
I started by hand painting the bumper numbers. I don’t have my stencils right now and I’m making an assumption that they were not always readily available in the field. I’m still looking through boxes for spare reg. numbers for the sides.
I’m happy I’ve got it all level lol.
The mess on the back deck is next. My wash was done over the matte coat so it turned into more of a filter and it all blended together as a brown lump, mostly. I should’ve glossed it first, then the brown wash would’ve worked as intended, filling in the margins and crevices.
I’m getting closer to the finish. [:D]
I do believe tank C-31 is now done for the moment.
That’s pretty much one done. Two to go.
Looks very good Mike. So, diorama: with the variation in Sherman types, it almost looks like you guys are doing a scene from Fury…
Thanks!
The idea this far is that we’re combining different platoons from the 4∆35∆ (4th Armor Division, 35th Armored Regiment) heading up the road to Berlin in the spring of 1945. I’m thinking I may even include some abandoned german vehicles along the road side. Lord knows I could spare a couple lol.
So this is going to be grand in scale and I’m just now getting into learning how to make a diorama base because I’ve never actually built one before. I did make a dirt brick for my son’s 1/72 M-4A2 5years ago, but it wasn’t a diorama. So this is going to be a learning experience and I’m all for it.
Two more tanks for me to build.
Excited to see what your concept will be for the dio. Sounds like you might need a separate garage or warehouse for it though!
Finished up nicely
A dio base is a pretty simple thing if you just go with a simple field or road like I like to do. Much more complex if you want to add buildings etc.
I just add some plaster (Durham’s Water Putty is better if you can get it) to a cheap craft store wooden plaque. Add ruts while the plaster is still wet and when dry paint it with cheap 99 cent craft paints. Then cover it with glue and sprinkle on static grass.
BTW: I can’t see your photos at all. Is it something on my end guys?
I think we will be compartmentalizing it and making it in small vinettes that interconnect. There is going to be a main layout, but dividing it up makes sense for transport and displaying.