Here is my Tamiya 1/35 M4A3 Sherman in progress. No aftermarket just straight out of the box. About have it whipped now. Don’t think I have ever spent this much time on one kit even though I’m sure there are some who would say I rushed compared to what they spend. Just looking for any suggestions on how to make it better as I hope to have it in a competition in a few weeks. Thanks.
looks great, its got a nice clean build to it, cant wait to see what it looks like when your finished. Kudos to you.
-Andrew
“If you ever catch on fire, try to avoid seeing yourself in the mirror, because I bet that’s what REALLY throws you into a panic.”
Firstly, I think its looking great. I’m no expert on washes, but perhaps a wash, especially on the grille would help it pop out more. It looks like you have roughed it up a bit, which looks good. Keep it up, your doing great and good luck.
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
Chris,
That’s good progress. You remind me about my still unfinished M4A3 105.
Hope to see more pics of that M4 as you move on.
Coming along nicely Chris.
I would dirty her up a little more (especially the lower hull) and some drybrushing will really bring out the details.
These Tamiya kits are a sweet build. I hope it’s not your last Shermie.
Looking good. I would use a black wash over the grill area. This will give the grill some depth. I would give the entire model a flat clear coat and follow with some pastels to tone down the paint and give it a more weathered look. You are doing a great job and I trhink that you will have a winner here. Cheers
Thanks all. There is some dry brushing done, I think the lighting got the best of it though. I am thinking of doing some washing but that is something I have never tried before and I don’t want to mess it up and I don’t have anything to practice on so any tips on that would be helpful. This has been probally one of the best kits I have done so far and have really enjoyed it so don’t worry Robert it won’t be my last plus I’m more keen to U.S. military stuff anyway. Hope to have the finished pics up soon.
looks good but wheres the hose and ladder? how 'bout a federal twin-sonic light bar? i know , i need to open my mind and expand my horizons!
Well thats just what I needed , ideas for a what if kit. Well cops have tanks so why could’nt we? It could work well with some of the home locations around here. Of coarse an Oshkosh is pretty close. I have seen a pic some where of a tank that was modified into a firefighting apparatus I believe for wild fires.
Of coarse there is a little armor trivia here, John Walter Christie invented automotive front-wheel drive, many units of which were produced in 1913 and 1914 for fire trucks until he sold out to American Lafrance. He is best known as the “father of the modern tank,” having developed the design in 1930 for high-speed tanks that moved optionally on wheels or track. The U.s govt turned him down so he sold the idea to the russians.
The Christie Fast Tank
cool, got the 1/12 scale cristie steam pumper , still in box though ,kind of big and dont have the space right now.
Nice job Chris,
Two thumbs up!
Looking really good Chris! I too think it would benefit from a wash and I’ll give you some tips if you want to try it. Go to Michaels, Hobby Lobby, or somewhere that has artist supplies and get a tube of Burnt Umber and Black Winsor Newton oil paints and some turpentine (my preference) or mineral spirits. Give the whole madel a good coat of future to seal it and get a gloss coat on it and let it dry for at least 24hrs. Then mix the oils with about 1/3 black and the rest burnt umber and mix it up then add the turp or m/spirits. You’ll want enough thinner to make it look like real dirty thinner but still be runny. Then just use pointed brush and apply the thinner along raised detail and panel lines, nuts bolts everything. It will run along the edges and you’ll see the oils collecting around the detail. Now some will go where you don’t want it too but don’t worry. Let it sit for at least 2-3 hrs, around 6 is best though then use a q-tip or a small paint brush and get it moist then start wipiing the areas you want to remove the wash. It comes off quite easy and if you don’t like it you can remove it all pretty easy too. Go ahead and give it a try, it’s very easy and really gives depth to the detail on the model. If you aren’t sure, try it on the bottom of the tank first or an old model if you have detail on the bottom. Do a couple bolts or a hull line and see how you like it.
Eric
Nice lookin’ Sherm, Chris! I like the big markings.
I’m with the rest; a tad more washing and drybrushing, and that baby’ll be perfectamundo!
Eric- Thanks for that , I looked around on here but did’nt find anything that really explained washing like I could really understand. You laid it out pretty simple and now I believe I can tackle it. Since I got off early thanks to some long awaited rain maybe I can get some good progress made on it.
Thanks to everybody for the suggestions.
Chris,
It is looking way tooooo cool! I really like it. I’ve to do my first Sherm yet, and you inspire me. (Maybe I’ll do my USMC next, after I finish up the mid Tiger!) Oh, btw, I think you need to put the tracks on it. [:p]
What Eric told you sounds really great. I haven’t seen a wash quantified quite that well before. I did a screen copy so I’ll remember what he said. I just want to add, make sure you don’t skip (or skimp) over the gloss coating. It will make removing unwanted parts of the wash much easier. In fact, if the gloss doesn’t get on well, repainting becomes a definate option!
Does anybody out there know what the difference is between Ivory Black and Lamp Black? I figure there must be some slight shading difference, but I sure can’t see it. Which should be used for these beasts?
Again, great job, Chris
Bill
looks good… r u still on for the competition on the 4th?? if your are coming then that will definately place.
Bill- Thanks , you know I was looking at it trying to figure out why it did’nt look quite right and you reminded me that I was’nt building a car anymore : ). I thought they put those rubber things in the box to have something to smack the kids hands with when they grab for it.
Jrmodeler- Looks like I’ll be there for sure,even if I can’t get off work boss is going to give me something close by.
Nice pictures Chris. I hope my Sherman Calliope turns out as nice.
Mark956
One more queston about the wash. Do I do it after attaching all the various accesories to it or before?
As for myself, I do it after everthing is put on the model. That way, you can get some nice “shadow” effects under the equipment. Some even do it after the decals are on so they tie in better with the finish.
Have fun.
Bill