Update Sherman III

Can't really be an update, if I never mentioned it before. However..

I have been wanting to do this model for a while.. Chris (Model Master Chris), Steve R and Mark have been after me to do something Canadian for years... Well I finally caved, but it is another Sherman..

In the last few years, after I saw the episode on History Channel about Michael Wittman, I began a fascination with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers Canadian Tank Regiment in WWII. These were the guys who have a good story for being the ones to take out Wittman's Tiger I in August 1944. There is still some controversy, but I like to think these guys got the kill shot.

About two years ago, there was an article in RT (IPMS Canada quarterly journal Random Thoughts) by Gary Barling, doing a model of Sir Sydney Radley-Walters tank, a Sherman III. "Rad" as he was known, was  a unit commander of the Sherbrook Fusiliers. RT also gave out a decal sheet for 72nd, 48th, and 35th scale markings for Rad's Sherman.

So all I had to do was get the appropriate Sherman and start.

That took a while. Online hobby shops were asking alot for the kit, even before shipping, so I didn't pursue right away. eBay was not much better. It was finally on my second trip to Ottawa early this year, that I found the kit in Hobby House. It is Dragon's Sherman III Kit 6313, as recommended by Gary Barling.

I think I started it in April. I know I have had the build done for a month or two now, but I started painting in earnest just a few weeks ago.

I had do do some custom work with the kit. I had to build up the area under the  front of sponson area where the photo etch fender went. I got that advice from a site by someone who has tweaks for alot of armour kits. (I actually figured out what I had to do, then second guessed myself and went looking. He confirmed it for me). I also had to raid an Academy M10 Tank Destroyer kit for a cast rounded nose transmission cover to use instead of the three piece covering, and the sprocket drive assembly. It fit well, but as always, needed some tweaking, putty and Mr. Surfacer.

I have picked up a few good references lately from AK Interactive. That is the company that Mig Jimenez does his work with these days. They have alot of paints, washes, etc for weathering armor kits, nice product line. I bought their book (FAQ2), and I bought their DVDs, Weathering with Enamel, and Weathering with Acrylics. These are excellent resources, and show the weathering techniques in action. This is something I have needed for a while to help me progress.

Here are a few progress shots. I am currently finished painting, have my rendition of color modulation on it, and about to proceed to the decals, then heavy weathering stage.

Initial scratch work. Sponson edges to the front needed building up, and the new transmission cover.

Progress. Still don't like Photo Etch, but Green Stuff putty is a lot better way to attach to the plastic surface. Imitates weld bead too.

 Almost ready for priming.

Dragon Sherman Suspension - 74 parts for 6 Bogie assemblies. This is the third time I have done it, doesn't get any easier.

 Experimenting with some preshading. Marginally effective, as long as you dont go too heavy on the next coat.

 The next coat.

Finally with my version of color modulation. The aim is to take the next step in weathering and blend all that together but leave the different colors somewhat intact to show transition from one surface angle to another. (more about that Jadgpanther in the next post)