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Modeller Build Logs
Formations Sherman V DV (M4A4 Direct Vision) |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | May 21, 2007 | | Updated: | Jul 14, 2007 |
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This blog could easily be subtitled ‘the easy way to do well at model contests’. Having just wrapped up a blog using the Tasca Firefly, I couldn’t believe there was anyway to make an even better Sherman. Then I remembered the Formations has now expanded their line to allow a complete ‘Formations’ Sherman minus only a couple of small parts.
So for this blog I’ll be building a Sherman V with direct vision ports as used by the British in the Burma campaign.
The Formations set that I’ll use are:
F067 Direct Vision M4A4 Hull
F080 Early VVSS Suspension
F018 Sherman Pioneer Tools
F050 Sherman Headlights
F003 Early M4 Dry Stowage Turret
F016 M34A1 Mantlet and M3 75mm Gun
In addition, I’ll be using tracks, sprockets and left over photoetch light guards from the Tasca Firefly.
I’ll also include in this blog a few chapters on ground work and a special ‘Burmese transportation vehicle’ for the base.
Up next: The Hull – major assembly
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| Rework | Jun 19, 2007 |
I was doing a final look over prior to painting and no matter how I looked at it, I just felt the front add-on framing didn’t look right. After staring at it and the photos, I decided I had a few problems. The first was that the inner brackets are mounted too low down the transmission cover. As a result the cross brackets end up at a larger angle giving the whole thing an off balance look. Also, the outer brackets aren’t sitting flush to the upper hull which gives a bit of a rise to the frame when viewed from the front.
Fixing these problems was nerve wracking. I really didn’t want to pry off the whole thing or start over. Instead I very carefully sliced the brackets loose using a very sharp blade. Of course I also had to slice off several off the connecting members too. Once loose I was able to reattach the parts in their new locations and then reattach connecting members.
It was a long hour but I feel the results are much more like the photos and thus the effort was worth it.
Up next: Painting – step 1 |
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