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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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| Markings | Jun 22, 2007 |
Coming up with the markings for this tank is tough. There simply aren’t that many shots of the tanks and hardly more than a couple of any one tank. So the markings I’ve used are probably more of a mish-mash and represent those in general use and not any one tank.
But there are several items worthy of noting. First, many of the tanks seem to carry the large white stars on the hull side front appliqué armor and presumably on the turret roof as well. Of note here is that many the white stars are not simply the height of the appliqué armor but actually start at the bottom of the appliqué armor and go up over the top of the armor and on to the hull side as I’ve shown. I’m not sure why this was done since it would have been much easier to just paint them on the appliqué armor. My best guess is that the orders were to paint a star of certain dimensions and that’s what was done.
Commonly seen on these tanks was the tank number in a square box, presumably in white. Usually the tank number was also painted on the rear hull as well which is what I’ve depicted. The tank’s serial number can be seen painted in a number of locations on the hull side including the one I chose.
On the transmission cover there is often seen a ‘30’ painted in a yellow circle. This is a weight limit indicator that is used to make sure the tank isn’t directed over a bridge that’s not capable of holding its weight. Finally, some of the tank’s show a white number painted over a two color square on the front of the transmission cover and presumably on the left side of the rear hull as well (but this area is usually so covered in dirt that it can’t be seen). I couldn’t determine the colors in use or most of the numbers so I grabbed a set out of my spare decals. Likely this is incorrect but it was the best I could come up with.
Up next: pre-dusting |
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