M4A3 Sherman w/ 105 mm Howitzer & 75 mm Long Gun tanks by Jack12477 - 1:35 scale - Tamiya - FINISHED

[mtaylor]

Looks like you'll have a lot of stuff to hang on the outside of the tank, Jack.

[Jack12477]

2 hours ago, Edwardkenway said:

don't know where he finds the time 😂 what with all the chit-chat😁.

Yea, Edward, it is a major distraction 😈😈 😁😁😁

 

Lou, I've got nothing else to do in cell block 22. So might as well build models.  Only thing slowing me down is stopping to paint all the piece before I attach them . Actually the speed with which I can do these is really a tribute to how well Tamiya manufactured these kits. Very precision made, clean castings with no flash. Everything fits perfectly on 1st try.  Their 1:35 armor line is fabulous. 

 

Mark, yes, there are scads of extras to hang on the tank, ammo cans, helmets, tank tread links, boxes, etc.  Going to be fun loading her up for battle. 😁 

 

Edited April 13, 2020 by Jack12477

[Jack12477]

Ok, Lou,  I did the rest of the tank after supper tonight

 

The basic tank is finished.  Up next is camouflage, add all the extra gear needed for combat mission. finish the 3 infantry figures that go with the kit. Basically 4 sprues worth of fiddly bits to add to the tank.  And then the hard part, coming up with a suitable display format for it. 

 

Compared to my other tank models in my collection, this one is tiny, even for a model.

 

Fixing the figures to their respective posts.

 

Assembled tank tread (one of two)

 

 

Turret prior to installing on tank

 

 

Tank upper body half

 

 

Lower body half with tank treads installed

 

 

Upper and Lower body halves glued together

 

Turret attached

 

Finally all parts together

 

 

Stay tuned while I work on the extras. 

[CapnMac82]

On 4/12/2020 at 1:19 AM, lmagna said:

One thing to remember OC. The Sherman was primarily an infantry support tank and as such performed quite well. Even the Russians seemed to like it even though they has access to their very capable T-34. The Shermans also did quite well against the earlier German tanks from much the same design period like the Panzer IV. Later, after Normandy when faced with the Tiger and Panther not so well, at least not when confronted 1:1.

And, very specifically, the 105mm howitzer tank was used in the assault to counter obstruction, pillboxes and other barriers to infantry assaults (and for blasting through dragon's teeth to some extent.

Also, to be fair, American tanks were never sent out on a 1:1 basis; the smallest tank maneuver unit was the Platoon, 4 tanks.  This is where the inaccurate adage of "it took 4 Shermans to take out a Tiger" stems from.  The grunts on the MLR would report a tank to their front.  Higher would then send out whatever the next Platoon of tanks were attached.  The grunts did not much distinguish between tanks, so a whole Platoon of tanks would be sent out whether it was a Pz 38t, a Pzkfz III, a Marder, or a King Tiger.  It was on the treadheads to figure out how to reduce the problem when they got there.

And now, back to your regularly-scheduled gluing of plastic.

[CapnMac82]

5 hours ago, Jack12477 said:

But only a couple of figures have the pre-molded on leather helmet, everyone else is helmetless

Plenty of documentary photos of TCs (Tank/Track Commanders) and Loaders with steel pots on when poked out of the turret.

If they "button up" they will ditch the pots, either hangign them on some feature on the turret roof, or cramming them into some corner of the turret.

 

Now, since this a 105mm vehicle, they are more likely to be standing off reducing obstacles at a suitable distance, rather than wading on into rifle range.  Not that they didn't, just that they did not have to.

 

Now, the TC is more likely to be scanning about with binoculars than the loader, but there is no reason the loader couldn't be looking further out, either.  But, it might be worth putting a bino case on the turret roof (if you have one laying about) to show how the loader grabbed up the glasses in their case to start scanning.   The loader's side of a Sherma has a bunch of places you could hang stuff on a strap that you could sinch up to keep from swinging about while on the march.

[CDW]

Hi Jack

Love your modeling subject, the M4A3 Sherman. I recently picked up a copy of the M-50 Isherman, an Israeli adaptation of the venerable Sherman chassis that served well during early middle eastern conflicts in the 1960's. 

Back some years ago when we had a strong local IPMS modeling club, a number of por members were huge armor fans, and I always enjoyed seeing their amazing work with WW2 armor. The Sherman was always a favorite modeling subject due to the many significant variations it took on during WW2.

Here is a good, short, 5 minute video of the various Sherman tanks to serve in WW2.

 

 

[mtaylor]

I'm surprised they didn't give you an extra bit track to hang off the bow as was common.

[Jack12477]

Thank,, Craig, interesting video. 

[Baker]

16 hours ago, Jack12477 said:

the 2 in the turret are exposed to fire so they need a steel pot

This model was mainly used for close infantry support.  A steel helmet is then not an unnecessary luxury if you want to look outside..

 

And 2 sets of spruces : lucky you, extra spare parts for free 👍

[Jack12477]

3 minutes ago, Backer said:

extra spare parts for free 

LOTS of spare parts 😁

 

10 hours ago, mtaylor said:

I'm surprised they didn't give you an extra bit track to hang off the bow as was common.

Stay tuned Mark ! 😁   there is enough extras to overload a tank 

[Roger Pellett]

In the 1990’s the Israelis were building a number of large coal fired power stations along the Mediterranean sea coast and the company that I worked for had just completed a job to provide the high pressure steam and feed water piping for the plant built at Askalon.  These contracts required that a percentage of the fabrication labor be provided locally.

 

With more projects on the horizon, In 1986 our Israeli agent put me in touch with a plant in Israel that rebuilt tanks and I visited it to see if they could fabricate high pressure piping.  It was an interesting place, as they had an assortment of tanks from allies as well as adversaries-  British, American, and Russian, and of course they were being “upgraded” with all sorts of innovations, some of which they were careful not to let me see.  I also saw several of the huge Israeli designed and built Merkava tanks being transported on the highway.  Like many things it’s hard to imagine their size without seeing the real thing.

 

Roger

[Egilman]

1 hour ago, Roger Pellett said:

British, American, and Russian, and of course they were being “upgraded” with all sorts of innovations,

Would it surprise you to know that the fledgling Israeli Air Force flew modified Me-109's.......... in their early years......

[CDW]

1 hour ago, Egilman said:

Would it surprise you to know that the fledgling Israeli Air Force flew modified Me-109's.......... in their early years......

They flew S-199's. License built Messerschmitts. Made by the Czechs.

[Jack12477]

18 hours ago, mtaylor said:

I'm surprised they didn't give you an extra bit track to hang off the bow as was common.

Mark is this enough extra goodies to add to the tank ? These all came on sprues with the tank.   I have additional Jerry cans in my stash if needed. Probably ammo cans too.  There's 2 size of ammo cans here 8 of each, 2 oil drums, 2 crates, 4 boxes, extra helmets, backpacks,, ammo packs.   

 

[Edwardkenway]

You're going to need another tank or a truck to carry all that extra gear Jack 😁

[Egilman]

31 minutes ago, CDW said:

They flew S-199's. License built Messerschmitts. Made by the Czechs.

The Avia S-199's were actually built immediately postwar.....

When Israel flew Nazi Planes

Quote: 'The Avia S-99s & S-199's was constructed with parts and plans left over from Luftwaffe aircraft production that had taken place under the country’s German occupation of Czechoslovakia during the war."

 

Were they made by the Nazi's? no, designed by a Nazi for the Nazi's yes.... 

 

Does a name change, change where they were created/originated from? or, what they were? Not in my opinion.... Not faulting the Israelis, they needed weapons and at that point in time the world was conspiring against them getting what they needed expecting the arabs to make short work of the jews... They couldn't get the proper engines for them because of the arms embargo so they obtained surplus Heinkel engines and props for them.... Made it a widow maker in service and quickly withdrawn when better aircraft became available......  they not only scored victories against Egyptian C-47's (modified into bombers) but over Syrian Spitfire's and Egyptian Mustangs......

 

Impressive if you ask me....

Edited April 14, 2020 by Egilman

[Old Collingwood]

Glad I'm not building it with all those additions / add - ons    I would  be building for ages  picking out the details with my scraper and  knife.

 

OC.

[Jack12477]

Nah ! It's easy, OC. Did all of those in little over an hour, including painting.  The way Tamiya makes these, they go together easily. And no flash to remove. 

[Old Collingwood]

36 minutes ago, Jack12477 said:

Nah ! It's easy, OC. Did all of those in little over an hour, including painting.  The way Tamiya makes these, they go together easily. And no flash to remove. 

It is looking super Jack, do you super detail  with washes highlighting etc  when assembled?   I was never that good at that part when I was younger  inpatient I think I was.

 

OC.

Edited April 14, 2020 by Old Collingwood

[Jack12477]

26 minutes ago, Old Collingwood said:

do you super detail  with washes highlighting etc  when assembled?   I was never that good at that part when I was young

I have done it in past, but not very good at it. I may do it with this model. We'll see ! 

[popeye the sailor]

silently following along Jack........nice choice on the tank    great looking tank!  if your looking for extra infantry and personal,  old model kits has sales on groups of accessory kits {3 or 4 kits to the bundle} at a decent price.

[Jack12477]

Oh I have plenty of soldiers in the stash box,  extra arms, legs,  bodies, etc. Plus Tamiya makes some nice figure sets. 

 

Thanks for the compliment

 

 

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Jack12477

[Jack12477]

A couple of GIs grabbed a couple of white wash brushes and couple of buckets of white paint and slapped a little camo on the tank.  Didn't want it to look too professionally done.

 

 

Next up is the decals, load up the accessories, and figure out how to display it.

 

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Jack12477

[lmagna]

24 minutes ago, Jack12477 said:

Didn't want it to look too professionally done.

From what I understand, that was pretty much how they did it. I read somewhere that in many cases they didn't even wash the mud and stuff off first.

 

Nice progress Jack.

Edited April 15, 2020 by lmagna

[Jack12477]

Yeah, I am not finished with it yet. More tweaking to do on it

[lmagna]

I hope you aren't finished with it yet. What has it been, 48 hours?!!!!!!! 

[Edwardkenway]

I like the yard brush camo paint job Jack😁

Lou

I hope you aren't finished with it yet. What has it been, 48 hours?!!!!!!! 

No he's had at least 72 hours on it😆

Edited April 15, 2020 by Edwardkenway

[Old Collingwood]

I think you are racing against  greg  Jack.      great work by the way.

 

OC.

[Jack12477]

1 hour ago, Edwardkenway said:

No he's had at least 72 hours on it😆

Actually Edward I had started glueing small sub-assemblies together Saturday night before ASAT complained abot "40 posts and nothing glued".  I actually some sub-assemblies glued up just not posted. I probably will have the tank and crew finished by tomorrow. But any diorama is going to take a bit longer. 

 

1 hour ago, Edwardkenway said:

I like the yard brush camo paint job Jack

Thanks! 

 

1 hour ago, Old Collingwood said:

I think you are racing against  greg  Jack

Nah ! Just have nothing else to do with my time right now! Still to cold here at night to plant any veggies in the raised bed gardens, so might as well build tanks.  

[CDW]

21 minutes ago, Jack12477 said:

Actually Edward I had started glueing small sub-assemblies together Saturday night before ASAT complained abot "40 posts and nothing glued".  I actually some sub-assemblies glued up just not posted. I probably will have the tank and crew finished by tomorrow. But any diorama is going to take a bit longer. 

 

Thanks! 

 

Nah ! Just have nothing else to do with my time right now! Still to cold here at night to plant any veggies in the raised bed gardens, so might as well build tanks.  

You open your window up north so I can get some of your cool weather. I'll open mine so you can get some of the heat (from Florida) that will rise to the north. It was HOT today here.