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Modeller Build Logs
Pakistani M4A1E4 Sherman |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Jan 16, 2006 | | Updated: | Mar 15, 2006 |
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Over the last month or so, I’ve been writing reviews of a number of Formations sets for M4 Shermans. These reviews are of sets I plan to use to build a Pakistani M4A1E4 Sherman, circa 1965.
Pakistan was one of the largest post-war users of Shermans, acquiring about 547 as noted in ‘The Sherman Tank in US and Allied Service’ by Steven J. Zaloga. Pakistan fielded a number of variants but most were M4A1 and M4A3 re-manufactured tanks.
The particular variant that I’ll be modeling is an M4A1E4 with the E9 ‘double duckbill’ suspension modification. The E4 designation is one given to tanks that had the 76mm M1 gun retrofitted to the 75mm turret. This was first done during WW2 (much like the fitting of the 17 pounder by the British) but with the availability of newly manufactured 76mm Shermans, it wasn’t used very often. However, to save costs compared to changing out an entire turret, this modification was made during the post-war re-manufacturing of Shermans for sale to foreign countries, including both Pakistan and India!
The E9 modification involved moving the VVSS suspension outboard about 4 inches so an inner and outer row of extended end connectors (duckbills) could be fitted. This resulted in a track almost as wide as that used on the HVSS equipped Shermans. This modification was also developed during WW2 but was not implemented due to the availability of HVSS Shermans. Like the E4 gun modification, the E9 suspension modification was used for post-war re-manufactured Shermans to save costs compared to switching to an HVSS suspension.
The Pakistanis made extensive use of the Sherman in their wars with India (and India also had about 200 Shermans) including their 1965 war where the Shermans were used in a supporting role for the more modern M47 and M48 Pattons. They were even used in the 1971 fighting but only in small numbers (about 40).
What items am I going to use?
Of course I’m going to use the Formations items I’ve been reviewing. Here’s the list:
1. F015 M4A1 with Applique Armor for Italeri Kits
2. F055 M4/M4A1 Sherman Lower Hull
3. F045 Early High Bustle 75mm Turret
4. F039 76mm Sherman Gun Barrels
5. F053 Late Single Piece Cast Double Brake
Transmission
6. F041 Pressed Spoked Sherman Wheels w/Idlers and Spare
This covers most of what’s needed. However, there are a few more items needed to complete the project.
1. RHPS T54E1 US Metal Chevron tracks.
2. RHPS EC-2 Extended End Connectors (Duckbills), 2 sets.
3. Tiger Models TMD353023 M4 Sherman Vision Block TC's
Cupola.
4. Aber 35a34 Sherman HVSS Fenders.
5. Eduard TP028 Light Guards.
In addition, I’ll be using a number of items from the spares box such as the Italeri VVSS bogies, a Dragon muzzle brake from their M4A3(76) Sherman, and drive sprockets from a Tamiya Sherman. I plan to scratch build the E9 suspension modifications and I’ll scrounge around for the other miscellaneous pieces.
Up Next: The Lower Hull |
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| Painting - Step 2 - Camouflage and details | Feb 18, 2006 |
I really struggled with the camouflage. In the Osprey book on 76mm Shermans, there’s a very nice rendering of a Pakistani Sherman with a nice, feathered tan stripe camo scheme. I thought it looked very cool. But later in the book there’s a photo of this tank and the camo scheme seems to be hand painted with a hard edge. I looked through what additional photos I could find and there was another, even more clear shot that definitely showed the camo to be hard edged. Bummer. This was going to make it a much more difficult camo scheme to paint.
I decided to first airbrush the camo scheme and I did my best to hold a very tight edge. My plan was to then go back with a brush and harden the edge.
At this point I must switch gears for a moment. In Chapter 12, The Turret, John Yergin correctly pointed out that I had mounted my spare tracks incorrectly. I had used a mounting that was typical of WW2 when they were used for additional armor protection. However, the post war rebuilt tanks usually had the tracks mounted on brackets so they could also be used as spares. Unfortunately, I was at this point in the build when the chapter was posted and John pointed out my mistake.
I decided that I really needed to fix this mistake and so I popped off the tracks and cleaned up the turret. I then mounted the spare links directly to the hull. One concern I that I’d noted in Chapter 12 was that the RHPS tracks set doesn’t always give you too many spare tracks. Sure enough, when I counted them out, I only had 4 extras and I needed 8. Fortunately I had another set that I’m planning to use for another project. So I stole 4 more links and I’ll worry about being short on the next project.
After I mounted the links, I drilled a small hole between each of the pins. I inserted a 0.020 inch rod in each hole and then mounted a small strip of lead foil across the pins. I bent the foil to the shape of the mounting bracket. Then I used my punch and die set to knock out small hex heads that I mounted on top of the foil opposite the 0.020 inch rod. Finally, I repainted the area and touched up the camo.
Correction completed.
Back to the camo. I gave the whole model a coat of Dullcoat and then proceeded to harden the edges of the camo. I found that by using thin paint I could get the edge covered without leaving brush strokes. I ended up painting over the whole camo I’d sprayed to get a uniform color.
When that was dry, I then did some light dry brushing using Model Master Burnt Umber to get a bit of a worn look to the paint. It’s subtle but makes a difference in the final weathering.
With all of this dry, I then painted the details on the tank like the tools, machine guns, etc. I use Model Master Gun Metal for the tools with a light drybrushing of Model Master Aluminum. The wood is Dark Tan and the Straps are Leather.
Up Next: Weathering – The Wash |
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