|
|
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
|
|
|
|
| The Hull – The original non-stick surface | May 29, 2007 |
Many of the Shermans in Burma had a frame structure built on the front glacis (and sometimes the rear deck too) that had chicken wire attached to it. The reported purpose was to prevent Japanese ‘sticky bombs’ from adhering to the sloped surfaces and exploding.
Creating this turned out to be a bit more complicated scratch building exercise that I originally thought. The frame is a series of bent angle bar welded to the hull and together with cross bars. In looking at the photos, it clear this was done in the field and no two frames are the same. Good thing since it’s pretty tough to get these things right.
Like the real thing, I bent plastic angle bar to get the main pieces of the frames. In looking at the photos, I was surprised to see that the inner left and right frames are actually welded to the transmission cover and would need to be cut off if a transmission had to be pulled. With the frames in place, I then added the cross bars. While each frame is custom made, they all followed a bit of a pattern for the cross bars. There’s almost always one in front of each hatch, another just before the front bend and one low near where the frame attaches to the hull. The cross bar below the bow machine gun is always lower than the one in front of the driver’s hood and the area in front of the MG has no chicken wire so the MG can be fired. The area between the inner frames does not have chicken wire but is used as a holder for spare tracks.
I did not attach the chicken wire at this time because I realized that I’d have no way to drybush, wash, or weather the area underneath it. So I’ll have to attach it right at the end of the build.
Up next: The Hull – The pioneer tools |
 |
|
|
