C
CharleyGnarlyP290
Guest
Time for the next project. This one is Tamiya's 1/35 Sherman M4A3E8. This is a new tool kit that just came out in 2015.
I am thinking this build report will be a little more compact than my previous ones. I have already built quite a bit of this kit, and in typical Tamiya fashion, it is going together with no problems. But, first, I will do a quick review of the kit.
This is a new tool kit, and it is evident by the condition of the plastic. Tamiya has done a splendid job placing the ejector marks in inconspicuous spots. Notable exceptions are hatch interiors. However, the ejector marks are very shallow and easily remove with light sanding. Seam lines are very faint and also easily removed with either light sanding or a quick swipe of the hobby knife.
All parts are very crisply molded, and the detail is very good. One thing I will note here is a lack of photo etch (PE) parts. I like PE and have built kits using it, but I don't really think PE is necessary on some kits. This kit is one. The detail is nice and I don't think it lacks in detail because of it. I think sometimes kit manufacturers add PE just for the sake of adding it.
Here is the box top.
![20160325_194939_zpswxtmh1c3.jpg 20160325_194939_zpswxtmh1c3.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122192-871fc739cfe645c675abfec5cb1d284c.jpg)
This is the first time I have built a kit with a multi-piece lower hull tub...
![20160325_195205_001_zpslmucy1uk.jpg 20160325_195205_001_zpslmucy1uk.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122193-d7c89228d84a906ddd68555b4bd8709d.jpg)
...but it went together flawlessly.
![20160325_201034_zps50v7miwc.jpg 20160325_201034_zps50v7miwc.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122194-13344d9a13556a3bc3ab79311f75a9d0.jpg)
The transmission cover has some small parts for the tow points, but again, no problems.
![20160325_203146_zpskofispqr.jpg 20160325_203146_zpskofispqr.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122195-7ed4f557571c8ca17d00c985ac66c2e2.jpg)
Rear plate, same thing.
![20160326_181720_zpsqipdrqrz.jpg 20160326_181720_zpsqipdrqrz.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122196-35037d2744137a21305bf94dc7a8b87b.jpg)
Tub is complete. The next step is to attach the idler wheel mounts. I have opted to wait on these since there is a bit of adjustment available. This way I can make sure the tracks will have proper tension when it comes to that point.
![20160328_175607_zpsanesztv1.jpg 20160328_175607_zpsanesztv1.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122197-37364968dc0161f19d83897d7f92c03a.jpg)
This has been the most tedious part so far (as wheels usually are). Here you can see the seam line that has to be sanded off. Boooring...
![20160328_185338_zpsxeg5galj.jpg 20160328_185338_zpsxeg5galj.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122198-2c14cffa49cb3d43453367d0f29b7813.jpg)
I thought I had some photos of the suspension parts, but apparently not. Here is a shot of the bogies installed.
![20160331_182543_zps67np8nwd.jpg 20160331_182543_zps67np8nwd.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122199-171e36549521938e2f7998732bb2d024.jpg)
So, that's it for now. More to come.
I am thinking this build report will be a little more compact than my previous ones. I have already built quite a bit of this kit, and in typical Tamiya fashion, it is going together with no problems. But, first, I will do a quick review of the kit.
This is a new tool kit, and it is evident by the condition of the plastic. Tamiya has done a splendid job placing the ejector marks in inconspicuous spots. Notable exceptions are hatch interiors. However, the ejector marks are very shallow and easily remove with light sanding. Seam lines are very faint and also easily removed with either light sanding or a quick swipe of the hobby knife.
All parts are very crisply molded, and the detail is very good. One thing I will note here is a lack of photo etch (PE) parts. I like PE and have built kits using it, but I don't really think PE is necessary on some kits. This kit is one. The detail is nice and I don't think it lacks in detail because of it. I think sometimes kit manufacturers add PE just for the sake of adding it.
Here is the box top.
![20160325_194939_zpswxtmh1c3.jpg 20160325_194939_zpswxtmh1c3.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122192-871fc739cfe645c675abfec5cb1d284c.jpg)
This is the first time I have built a kit with a multi-piece lower hull tub...
![20160325_195205_001_zpslmucy1uk.jpg 20160325_195205_001_zpslmucy1uk.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122193-d7c89228d84a906ddd68555b4bd8709d.jpg)
...but it went together flawlessly.
![20160325_201034_zps50v7miwc.jpg 20160325_201034_zps50v7miwc.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122194-13344d9a13556a3bc3ab79311f75a9d0.jpg)
The transmission cover has some small parts for the tow points, but again, no problems.
![20160325_203146_zpskofispqr.jpg 20160325_203146_zpskofispqr.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122195-7ed4f557571c8ca17d00c985ac66c2e2.jpg)
Rear plate, same thing.
![20160326_181720_zpsqipdrqrz.jpg 20160326_181720_zpsqipdrqrz.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122196-35037d2744137a21305bf94dc7a8b87b.jpg)
Tub is complete. The next step is to attach the idler wheel mounts. I have opted to wait on these since there is a bit of adjustment available. This way I can make sure the tracks will have proper tension when it comes to that point.
![20160328_175607_zpsanesztv1.jpg 20160328_175607_zpsanesztv1.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122197-37364968dc0161f19d83897d7f92c03a.jpg)
This has been the most tedious part so far (as wheels usually are). Here you can see the seam line that has to be sanded off. Boooring...
![20160328_185338_zpsxeg5galj.jpg 20160328_185338_zpsxeg5galj.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122198-2c14cffa49cb3d43453367d0f29b7813.jpg)
I thought I had some photos of the suspension parts, but apparently not. Here is a shot of the bogies installed.
![20160331_182543_zps67np8nwd.jpg 20160331_182543_zps67np8nwd.jpg](https://www.scale-models.co.uk/data/attachments/122/122199-171e36549521938e2f7998732bb2d024.jpg)
So, that's it for now. More to come.
Last edited: