|
|
Modeller Build Logs
Formations Sherman V DV (M4A4 Direct Vision) |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | May 21, 2007 | | Updated: | Jul 14, 2007 |
|
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
|
|
|
|
| Chicken Wire | Jul 10, 2007 |
When I look at the mesh over the cage on the front of the tank, It appears to be something like simple chicken wire. It’s a rather large opening mesh and as much as I would have liked to use some type of metal mesh, I just couldn’t find something that wasn’t too dense.
So I ended up using tulle, which is the material that wedding vails are made from. The local fabric store had many different sizes and I bought a couple and then selected one that looked about right.
It comes in white but I had no problem painting it in Olive Drab. I wasn’t too sure if the cages were covered in one large piece that was draped over the sides but I couldn’t figure out how to do that since the tulle was too stiff so I elected to make the side pieces separate.
Still this seemed a complex project to figure out the right shape. So I ended up making some templates out of paper. Going this route allowed me to take some measurements and get a nice fitting template without having to mess around with the tulle which is harder to manipulate. It actually worked out pretty easy.
Attaching the tulle was another challenge. I ended up working in sections starting at the front fender and working up and over the top. There was no way I going to try to put a tiny drop of glue on each intersection so instead I just ran a line of glue on the attachment areas and laid the tulle in place. Once I got it mounted, I went back with flat coat and then pigments to dust them up and hide any of the glue marks that were showing.
I won't lie, this was tough. Really tough. Getting the tulle to lay down was a major challenge since I was more sucessful in gluing my fingers than gluing the tiny contact areas. It pays to be stubborn.
Up next: Colonel Hathi |
 |
|
|
