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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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| The Tracks | Jul 9, 2007 |
One of the problems of building an all resin kit is that you have to find tracks. This used to be no problem at all when RHPS was around since their link to link tracks are quite nice. But they’re gone and finding their tracks, especially the British style metal chevron sets, is really tough. Were this model to be on a standard length hull (i.e. any variant other than the M4A4/Sherman V) then the Academy Achilles kits would have provided a suitable donor. But for a long hull Sherman, the only options for the British style metal chevrons are the incredibly complex Model Kasten set or the vinyl ones from the new Tasca Firefly kit.
Now I’m far too lazy to build the Model Kasten set and far too cheap to buy a Tasca kit just for the tracks. But thanks to the wonders of the Track-Link website, I was able to find a nice guy in Britain who wasn’t using his set of Tasca tracks and he sold them to me for a very reasonable price. Problem solved.
I painted the tracks using Model Master Raw Sienna which is a good color to represent dirty and rusty metal tracks. Then I gave them a wash in Raw Umber oil paints and coated them in MIG pigments just like I did the lower hull. After that, I drybrushed the tracks with Model Master Dark AnodonicGray to give a metallic look and finally I drybrushed again using Model Master Aluminum to highlight the Chevron part which is commonly seen in bright, bare metal.
Mounting the ‘rubberband’ tracks to the resin suspension is a bit nerve wracking since I had to be careful to make sure I got the correct tension without breaking off any of the resin suspension parts. The previous work I’d done to reinforce the adjustable idlers was a real key here. I did need to make a few adjustments using a hairdryer to get everything to line up but in general I got all of this done smoothly.
Up next: Chicken Wire |
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