M51 Isherman |
| By Michael Bedard |
| Started: | May 19, 2007 | | Updated: | Jul 27, 2007 |
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June 5, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the Six-Day-War that is still having repercussions felt around the world even today. I was asked to write an article for Military Modelcraft International to mark this event. Well, between my lack of speed constructing my model, my lack of computer technical skills sending things international and the slow speed of mail my article unfortunately missing the April deadline for publication. Tony Little the editor has mentioned that the article will however appear in the August issue. I asked Tony if it would be alright to publish a BLOG on track-link about the M51 build and he agreed. He mentioned that the on-line BLOG would probably be more detailed in nature due to the restriction of space in the magazine. I would appreciate helping Tony out by at least purchasing the issue when it is published.
In honor of the Six-Day-War I decided to build the M51 Isherman (someone has stated that there is no such things as an Isherman). For me, a Sherman nut, it is the ultimate statement as far as the Sherman tank goes. I purchased the DML M51 shortly after it was introduced in 1997. I started the model around 2000 or so and it sat around for some time. This BLOG focuses on the original issue and what I have done to detail the kit. many of the parts I bought or made myself are present on the latest Premier version of DML's M51.I am sure that some of the Shermanaholic details I addedwould be appropriate for the newer release as well. Besides the DML kit I also bought the Aber fender set for HVSS Sherman and Eduard's photo-etch set (35182) that was meant for the Academy kit.
Hope you enjoy the BLOG and that there is something useful for your own model. |
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| Last Chapter | Jul 27, 2007 |
| This is the last chapter in this BLOG. To finish the weathering I add paint distortions (chips & scratches), fuel spills, rust streaks and dirt & dust. Picture 1 shows the scratches and chips being applied using a Winsor/Newton Series 7 brush and Vallejo paint. To make the Vallejo flow better I add... more |
| Start of weathering | Jul 21, 2007 |
| Now is the start of the weathering of the M51. First step is to fade the paint and create dirt and rain streaks (I’m sure it has to rain in Israel once and a while). In picture 1 you will notice that the jerry cans, tow cable and tools have yet to be attached. This first picture shows Turpenoid (a... more |
| Finishing the tools | Jul 19, 2007 |
| This chapter will focus on painting and finishing the tools. Tools include spare tracks, tow cable, .50 cal MG and jerry cans. Steps for tools are just like the tracks in the previous chapter. Differences are that the tools have wooden handles to paint and jerry cans are not rusted. Of the 9 pictures... more |
| Completing the tracks | Jul 16, 2007 |
Finishing the tracks will be very similar to finishing the tools. There will be 2 separate chapters one on the tracks and one on the tools. Where there is a difference I will point that out in the chapter on finishing the tools.
First picture shows all the materials I use to finish the tracks. Not... more |
| Wash and drybrush | Jul 12, 2007 |
| These next set of pictures show the base coat being enhanced with a wash and drybrushing. Picture 1 shows the wash added to the vehicle. I use a wash to enhance the shadows and low-lying areas of the vehicle and it is not a form of weathering. At this point some of the edges are a bit rough. For... more |
| Israel Khaki | Jul 9, 2007 |
| Just a quick chapter on painting the base color. I used PollyScale 505348 Israel Khaki for the base color. I haven’t gotten into preshading like so many have started to use on their models. Guess I’m still old school in that I use washes and drybrushing for all the detail highlights. You will notice... more |
| Turret Details | Jul 4, 2007 |
| In this chapter I get to brag a bit (even though my parents influenced me to be quite humble). I replaced the commander’s cupola with the clear cast version of the vision cupola from Tiger Models (picture 1). I made the master for Joe using reference from an actual Sherman (check out my article on... more |
| Metal Details | Jul 2, 2007 |
I just received a message from the editor of Military Modelcraft International (Tony Little) that the article on the M51 will now appear in the September issue, not the August. As a kind gesture for Tony allowing the BLOG on track-link it would be nice if some of you readers would pick up the issue.
This... more |
| Preparing the Tracks | Jun 30, 2007 |
| The tracks on DML’s original M51 were individual links with separate guide horns. On the plus side the guide horns were hollow as per the actual vehicle but on the con side the end connectors were molded onto the shoe and there were punch marks to deal with. Having the end connectors molded onto the... more |
| Aber HVSS Fenders | Jun 26, 2007 |
This photo-etch set by Aber is top notch! Compared to the width of the DML fenders the Aber set is considerably wider. I didn't measure to see which is accurate but I really like the looks of the Aber fenders.
To make the fenders I would highly recommend a photo-etch folding tool. I had the... more |
| Adding the Suspension to the Hull | Jun 24, 2007 |
| The older DML HVSS suspension had a major weakness in design (at least in my opinion) and that was the mounting of the suspension to the hull. Part C6 was used on both the front and rear of the suspension unit. In order to mount the unit the inner placement had to have 2 bolts removed (picture 1). ... more |
| Painting the Lower Hull | Jun 18, 2007 |
I have decided to make this chapter just about painting the lower hull. Attaching the suspension I want to highlight a particular tool and the weak points of the 1997 version of DML’s HVSS suspension.
I like to paint the lower hull and suspension separate mainly to reach those difficult areas that... more |
| Lower Hull Details | Jun 9, 2007 |
| Many of the Sherman model kits have lower hulls that lack in detail. All kits except the most recent Tasca Firefly and DML M4A2 are missing the strip of bolts on the bottom rear transmission. I added these on the DML M51 along with a filler strip of Evergreen styrene (picture 1). The bolts are Grant... more |
| Sprockets and Idlers | Jun 6, 2007 |
| This next chapter will focus on the idler wheel and sprocket. The first picture shows the difference (from left to right) MP Models M50, DML M51 HVSS 1997 version and AFV Club sprockets and idlers. As you can see there isn’t a lot of difference between the parts except the newer the offering the more... more |
| Assembling the Suspension | Jun 3, 2007 |
| These are the parts that make up the 1997 version of DML’s M51 (pic 1). The parts fit well but there are a couple of weaknesses. Their major weakness is the fragile mounting point along the hull. I had them break off a couple of times during construction and painting. Another sore point are the heavy... more |
| Starting the Suspension | May 31, 2007 |
| This chapter starts with the suspension. I like to paint suspension parts on the tree so as the paint can get into all those difficult to reach areas. I also wash and drybrush the parts on the tree as well. After assembling the suspension I will then go back and touch any areas that have been sanded,... more |
| Filling the Hull Holes | May 28, 2007 |
| The Eduard set provides all the mounting points for the tools. All the DML tools had their straps and mounting points filed off prior to painting. I have found in the past that using putty such as Squadron Green Stuff the putty always seems to shrink and leaves a bit of a dent. To try and alleviate... more |
| Air Intakes | May 25, 2007 |
| On the original version of the M51 by DML the area below the air intake castings on the rear of the hull were solid. Since these air horns are still apart of the M51 I assume that the Israelis did not weld them shut. There are other Sherman kits that also need to have this area opened up. The procedure... more |
| Where it wll go | May 22, 2007 |
| This photo shows the M51 prior to the main painting. There will be several steps leading up to this point that point out some of the details added. As I already mentioned I hope the details added to the M51 will help viewers of track-link build their own Sherman models. |
| First issue DML M51 | May 19, 2007 |
| For older dudes like myself this shows the box top (or actually end) of the original issue. Academy released an M51 also about the same time in 1997 but the DML is closer to the version fielded in 1967. As a Sherman nut when this kit came out it saved a lot of toiling trying to create the M51 as seen... more |
