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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 Suspension | Jun 13, 2007 |
Well it’s been a long time coming but Formations has finally started making complete Sherman suspension sets. Their first was the M3 Less style with the return roller mounted above the spring housing. Now they’ve released an early M4 style suspension with the initial configuration of the rear mounted return roller and track return skid.
This is a really nice set and I did little more than remove the parts from the pour blocks and assemble them. In an interesting variation, the parts on this set actually match the parts break down of the real suspension. There is a central spring housing with the spring cast in place and the return roller bracket is a separate part, as is the return roller itself.
This allows for excellent detail on all of these parts including the bolts that hold the return roller bracket to the housing. Make sure to assemble 3 left handed and 3 right handed suspensions! This design also opens up a number of maintenance options for future projects.
About the only thing I did to this set was to drill out the four exposed mounting holes on the housing. They’re present but I thought making them a little more pronounced would make it easier to see after painting and weathering.
Like the Italeri/Dragon/Academy suspensions, this one is designed to allow the wheels and support arms to rock back and forth. While not strictly accurate, this does allow for some suspension movement to be depicted. Probably more useful is that it allows for some ‘self leveling’ when placed on a flat surface. I attached the suspension units to the hull and then went in and glued the rocker arms in place once I had it completely leveled.
Up next: The Idlers |
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