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Modeller Build Logs
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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| 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 Line items used here. Also added are the transmission drain plugs on the bottom. An area was first drilled out slightly and than a Historex Punch & Die hexagonal set was used to create the plug. Once it was in place and glue dried another shallow dent was drilled to help create the set type bolt. Also noticeable in this picture are the casting numbers added by shaving off spure numbers from mostly Tamiya kits (the smaller kit I.D. numbers, not part numbers). Various pointed nose one-piece Sherman transmissions had casting numbers in different locations. It depended on the model and production series. I copied these numbers and location from a M4A3E8 105 Sherman in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. The original 1997 version of DML’s M51 lacked any mounting bolts on the suspension units (picture 2). These were added once again using the Historex tool. There are only 2 kits that I know of that have the very visible line of transmission mounting bolts on the side of the hull and three-bolt alignment support at the top of the side transmission. Those 2 kits are the MP Models M50 and Tasca Firefly. The MP Models however show 7 bolts and there should be 8. Evergreen styrene, Grant Line bolts and Historex Punch & Die were used to create the missing detail. You will also notice several gaps that were filled using Squadron Green Putty. Last photo (picture 3) shows the towing pintels created using Evergreen plastic. This is the early type and many M51s had the ‘T’ shaped pintel.
Next chapter is painting the lower hull and installing the suspension.
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