This is going to be a weird WIP as the model is already painted, decaled and weathering started. Figured I’d help liven up the forum and motivate myself to finish this project.
The Tamiya kit was started last year and put back in the box with just the bogies started. A couple months ago decided it was finally time to finish it and have been working on it off and on since then. A few modifications were done to the kit such as improving the cast texture on the final drive cover and turret, filling the empty sponsons, replacing a few parts with left over parts from the Dragon Sherman MK. II, adding better weld beads, drilling out the fuel drain holes and replacing the 105 mm howitzer with an aftermarket one.
Before painting the Olive Drab I the model was painted with Tamiya NATO black both as a primer and as a shadow coat. The Olive Drab is a mix of Tamiya XF-62 and some XF-60 to lighten it and I feel I could have gone a little lighter. The kit decals left much to be desired and the stars really fought me wanting to sliver.
My next steps are to finally resume the weathering progress as only the right lower hull has gotten any attention. I’m also going to go back to the wood on the tools and repaint those as I’m not happy with how they look at the moment.
Stik, I thought something about the tracks didn’t look right I now I know what it is. Thank you for alerting me to the problem. Tracks are easy to get off and will be fixed today.
Weathering was done on the lower hull yesterday using Kursk Soil by Ammo. A lot of areas will need to be gone over again to get the proper effect I’m looking for. Disregard the tracks since those are going to be repainted.
Today the upper hull should start to get some weathering and details picked out along with fixing the tracks! Thanks again stik!
Also wanted to ask everyone if there was any interest in seeing the other three builds I’m working on? The Tiger II has been on the shelf for a year now with not much progress. The Char B1 was completed last year and I disliked how it turned out and stripped it back down to the plastic. The Stug III I lost interest on because one of the Tamiya tracks snapped on it. My goal is to complete these models before the New Year.
She looks good! And I’ve painted the rubber pad tracks grey but by the time I ended up covering them with dirt and dust they looked about the same brownish shade as they would if I’d painted them over with track primer brown.
Would love to see you build any of those. I think I like the Char B1 the best though- I love the French camo schemes.
I was busier than I expected since the last update and only got a couple hours of building time in everyday. The Sherman is nearing completion and “should” be completed in the next few days.
Here is the model right now with the tracks repainted correctly.
The lower hull is weathered with Ammo Kursk Soil #1400. Streaking effects are Ammo Streaking Grime #1203 along with AK Interactive Light Rust Wash #046. The weld seams and other details were picked out with AK Interactive Dark Brown Wash #045.
The turret is the next area that requires attention as only some of the details have been picked out with the dark brown wash. The rubber on the road wheels need a little more weathering in some spots as well.
I’ll make a post for the Char B1 tonight or tomorrow as time permits. Other then the Sherman that’s been my main focus at the moment.
Sherman is finished. I got pretty sick with a case of bronchitis earlier last week and finally had the energy to finish this model a couple days ago. Not pleased with the antenna mount Tamiya included too late to replace it now.
That came out nice GS. You may want to go back and check the shovel. The yoke portion of the upper handle is made from metal and only the cross handle is wood.
