Let’s get this Sherman M4A2 out of it’s box

[AFC]

Long ago I got this one and life got into the way. So I promised that I’d try my best one day. And that day is now. (Slow build so bare with me).

Feedback is welcome.

It is an Academy M4A2 Sherman (1/35). The goal is to have fun while building a nearly as possible version of the mid production

This website is helping me a bit

The Sherman M4A2 Medium Tank: Major Sherman Model rarely used by the US Army. | The Sherman Tank Site

www.theshermantank.com

Started by assembling the wheels


and move on to some of the details







And then an experience I’m making which lets see how it goes. White Tamiya thinned putty to give it some texture. Might have overdone slightly but we shall see...




next step, is to add more details to the hull before it gets all primed...

 

[adt70hk]

Cool start!

Andrew

 

[GerryW]

Interesting, will watch with interest

 

[minitnkr]

Is this the diesel version?

 

[Jakko]

It is. The M4A2 had twin diesel engines driving a common propeller shaft.

 

[AFC]

I said this was going to be a slow one it is progressing though...

After some details have been added, it was time to prime it. This time I’ve used Tamiya Fine Surface Primer.

This is the inside of my “paint station”...a big cardbox converted I‘m in a garage, super well ventilated and wearing a mask, so it’s all good.



I let the primer to settle and for the next days I went to do some research... The next step was the one I was more nervous about... airbrushing!!!

I’ve airbrushed the model with Tamiya Olive Drab.

Actually I thought it was going to be way too dark and so, the plan was to first paint it with olive drab out of the box and then apply a second coat of olive drab & dark yellow mix. However, I‘m quite pleased with the olive drab tone, so I might leave it as is.

My first airbrush attempt (the first two pics are more yellow-ish than what it is in reality, the desk lamp was too close).





I’m quite happy with the effect I got on the turret side where I applied thinned tamiya white putty...



I didn’t care much about the wheels as I’m planning to put some mud on them anyway....



I ended up painting the tools also in olive drab but the plan is to apply some sort of wooden tone on the handles and metal tones on the metal parts...

Also, I didn’t cement the tools (hammers, shovels, etc) on purpose. I wanted to left them for after painting the model. However, in hindsight, I shouldn’t have done. Next time I’ll assemble the whole thing before any airbrushing...



The next step will be to give another olive drab coat (please leave comments if you think it should be olive drab & dark yellow mix) and paint the remain parts (wheels, tools, etc). Then comes the decals, mud, and I want to also try some weathering. Lastly will apply the varnish.

And then some more research for something which I’ll be also doing for the first time...washing using some artist oils....

 

[Jakko]

You can leave the tools as they are: these were often dip-painted with the same olive drab that went on the vehicles themselves. I tend to paint them like that, with chipped paint where paint would wear off because of using them, like the handles, the pointed ends, etc.

Also: does the commander’s hatch have a working hinge on this model? It seems to be more upright in the first picture than in the others. If it’s glued, then you may want to remove it and open it all the way, as it wouldn’t stay up the way your photos show it now

 

[GerryW]

Also: does the commander’s hatch have a working hinge on this model? It seems to be more upright in the first picture than in the others. If it’s glued, then you may want to remove it and open it all the way, as it wouldn’t stay up the way your photos show it now

Unless, there's an arm opening it

 

[JR]

Very nice build and photos Andre.

 

[AFC]

You can leave the tools as they are: these were often dip-painted with the same olive drab that went on the vehicles themselves. I tend to paint them like that, with chipped paint where paint would wear off because of using them, like the handles, the pointed ends, etc.

Thank you Jakko. I was going to post that question in the forum, so appreciate your feedback. Will leave it then.

 

[AFC]

Unless, there's an arm opening it

@GerryW got it right .... I’m thinking about having some figures added later so left it as shown... if I decide not to go for it, will fully open it

@Jakko - the hinge is glued....but you just gave me an idea... I can probably make it a “working“ one by replacing the plastic with a bit of electrical cable

 

[AFC]

So it all went wrong, and I've decided to close it see picture 1. Lesson learned: it would have been much easier to do it before cementing it.

Also, could someone help me with picture 2 below? Is the gap as per the "real tank" or shall they be filled in with putty?

 

[Jakko]

That gap shouldn’t be there. This photo shows both sides of the vertical part of the mudguard fairly well:

(Sherman Minutia website)

Note that you can see there’s a bit of a forward extension to it, that wasn’t always present.

 

[AFC]

That gap shouldn’t be there. This photo shows both sides of the vertical part of the mudguard fairly well:

View attachment 420560 (Sherman Minutia website)

Note that you can see there’s a bit of a forward extension to it, that wasn’t always present.

Thanks @Jakko. Website is great!

 

[Jakko]

If you’re building Sherman kits, it’s a lifesaver — and shows you what minefield you’ve gotten yourself into

 

[Isitme]

Andre,
Keep with it, as far as the front mudguards go, add some filler and then hand paint, it is not uncommon to see slight variations in colour tones.
Mike.

 

[AFC]

If you’re building Sherman kits, it’s a lifesaver — and shows you what minefield you’ve gotten yourself into

My first one and I’m quite enjoying it. My next one might as well be another Sherman we shall see

 

[AFC]

My goal with this model is to play with it and learn

So today I added some “home made” details (tool straps, cable and its straps, etc) and used the airbrush. Oh the airbrush

Before I had it painted with Tamiya’s olive drab. Today, I’ve mixed OD with dark yellow, and I was very pleased with the outcome. Here some pictures (a bit more yellowish than what it looks like in real life - working on the lights to improve the photos)

Have used putty to simulate welding (photo #5). It didn’t exactly came out as I intended but it is now less boring than what it was previously. So, it’s a win

Speaking of putty, I’m using Tamyia’s white putty and not very impressed with it so far ...

Next steps are for me to apply the decals and airbrush some varnish on it (I’ll use matt varnish).

After that it’ll be time to apply washings, mud and chipping. Never done it before so I’m both excited and nervous... will need to watch some vids before doing it!

Any feedback is as always very welcome.

 

[AFC]

I’m probably beating the longest ever build of a kit but it’s been a mix of a lot of things happening at same time with me also wanting to experiment with some things for which I need some research.

Anyway… let’s go.

I was quite happy with chipping until I got to the hull, especially to the decal area. Not being patient led me to some avoidable mistakes. Have learned some lessons.

Pictures before & after decals

Now, want to have a go with mud, washings (using oils)… as said, good time to learn and take risks

Feedback always welcome

 

[minitnkr]

Very Russian looking numbers. Weathering looks very good. Hint on lights....if you mount them you should make the lenses look like lenses. It's not easy, but any effort is a bonus. PaulE