Just wanted to check in. I’m retired and now have more time to get back into my two favorite hobbies. I’ve been a model railroader most of my 66+ years, and migrated to two-rail O Scale a few years ago. (Much easier to see than HO!)
My armor interest was rekindled by a visit to a hobby shop a couple of years back, where I saw a completed model of the BIG Trumpeter 1/16 gun carriage half-track. UPS should be delivering it any minute…
Gonna need some advice, as this one is by far the largest model I’ve ever attempted. I have basic skills and a good airbrush/compressor combo, but have never worked with PE or other newer enhancements. Most of the current painting and weathering techniques are new to me. I’ll always listen to advice. Got lots to learn here.
Other project I’m pondering is a diorama using two of the old 1/25 scale Franklin Mint diecast Shermans. As you can see, I tend toward the larger scale stuff. Just like the “heft”.
Anyway; here’s one for you guys who know armor history.
One of the FM Shermans, an M4A3E8 with 76mm gun and muzzle brake, is painted in a Tan/Olive Drab disruptive scheme. I’m assuming it was modeled after an Italian campaign camo pattern. My question is; Would any late production Shermans have found their way into that paint or is this simply what model railroaders call a “fantasy” scheme?
Welcome any thoughts and/or suggestions on either of these projects.
UPS just delivered the half-track. Daily plan is taken care of…
And Welcome. Can’t answer that, as I am a ship guy. But bet someone can .I am a Train Guy too! I am the Vice -President of the New Braunfels Railroad Museum.We also have the New Braunfels Railroad Model and Historical Society there . ( We run and maintain the Museum )Board membership crosses both .So-For me it’s “O”,“N” " G",“Ho” and “HoN3”.
Did you know a container ship in " HO " is Seven Foot four inches long ?Even cutting them down,they don’t want to fit in the " N" scales either .So no true scale ships for either layout .We use the small armor for the " HO " as we have a Military memorial train that we run in the “HO” for important days like the one coming up in two days ! Flags Flying she’ll be making the rounds .
I like the " HO" Rail Scale armor, Its got a lot of subjects and they are fun to put together and weather !
Welcome aboard. Always good to have another ”tread head” here, and certainly a US armor fan.
As far as a tan and OD camo E8 Sherman goes, most likely it is a Korean War tank, and not WWII. E8 Sherman’s in Korea did wear schemes like that. But by the time that they arrived into WWII in Europe, Black was the most common secondary camo color carried over the OD on that type. The Sand or Earth Yellow over OD on US armor in Italy was mostly seen in the 1943/1944 period up to the Cassino & Anzio fighting.
Your model railroading skills should translate right into your planned armor building. The weathering and scenic skills of the RR hobbyists I’ve seen are just fantastic. Welcome!
Welcome aboard, our conductors don’t check for tickets, so you be good to ride along for as long as you want.
For PE, it needs to be glued with CA,epoxy or another adhesive. Styrene cement won’t work on it. For bends in PE, some use bending tools and jigs, others use small flat nose or nylon jawed pliers. Cheap way to bend is hold down on the fold line with a razor blade, slip another blade under the edge and bend that way. You can use a piece of glass or formica countertop to work on with it.
Look forward to seeing some of you work. Pictures have to be hosted on a 3rd party site, can’t just post from computer or phone. Lots of sites out there, some are free.
Welcome to the forums, Tim! You probably already know, there’s crossover between model railroading and scale modeling, between techniques and materials, but especially in doing scenery and dioramas. I look forward to seeing your builds!
Best regards,
Brad
A PS-Ha! Second time replying, I didn’t realize I replied before! But welcome and welcome again!