Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Building the RFM Sherman
Grindcore
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 02:35 AM UTC

Great thread!!! I picked up the kit from Sprue when they had their 15% off models week.
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 02:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text





I think it's easier to just do them one at a time, like I said I think the Jig is useless but if you want to do it that way Hey nock yourself out.
Donald



Hi, Donald!

Great work and great photo-documentation of it!

I've been following your build with great interest, as Shermans have always been "pets" of mine when it comes to 1/35 subject-matter.

I have only one small suggestion if I may, and I really don't mean to pick or "niggle"; please activate your "spell-check" in your computer's software...

Once again, GREAT photo-coverage!
ericadeane
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 02:54 AM UTC
Donald: thanks for your pics of the track assembly. I think the "no glue" is for the jigs and the two big location lugs, not the center guide or the outer and inner pads themselves. I was going to use Asuka T80s (I had a set cleaned up, just waiting to be assembled) -- but your pics make the RFM one not seem so daunting.

I like how you painted the metal parts and rubber inner pad face before assembly. This is an chore with other T80 sets (like the Asuka ones).

I'm going to have a go at them!
OldWarloke
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 10:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Donald: thanks for your pics of the track assembly. I think the "no glue" is for the jigs and the two big location lugs, not the center guide or the outer and inner pads themselves. I was going to use Asuka T80s (I had a set cleaned up, just waiting to be assembled) -- but your pics make the RFM one not seem so daunting.

I like how you painted the metal parts and rubber inner pad face before assembly. This is an chore with other T80 sets (like the Asuka ones).

I'm going to have a go at them!


They work quite well, I find it relaxing to clean and assemble them no thinking just do.
The rest of the work is coming when I get done here.
Donald
OldWarloke
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 10:06 AM UTC
And here it is, this will complete the assembly & install of the Track.
First the sections.





OldWarloke
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 10:17 AM UTC






Finished for now.
Donald
d6mst0
#453
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 12:09 PM UTC
Yes they do look good, Nice Work.

Mark
27-1025
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 12:44 PM UTC
Looks terrific. I’m sold on those completed tracks. Going to have to pick up this kit soon.
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Thursday, July 18, 2019 - 08:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text







Finished for now.
Donald



Hi, Donald!

I like your technique in assembling these Tracks; I'm going to try your way of doing it when I get my kit...
OldWarloke
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Posted: Friday, July 19, 2019 - 11:54 AM UTC
I started on the Upper Hull, Man it's really Niceeee




That's all for now.
Donald
tangodown
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Posted: Friday, July 19, 2019 - 12:11 PM UTC
Oh man this is nice stuff. I hope they tackle some earlier versions I.E the M4A4 Sherman V and III.
OldWarloke
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Posted: Sunday, July 21, 2019 - 01:23 AM UTC
Today I'll be assembling the main structure of the upper Hull.
First I installed and filled the seam on the edge of *&(*&**
I forget what you call it.
Then Installed the Front curved Fenders, And finally the Side Fenders.

I did the filling because I wasn't shure if these areas could be seen.
There's some really nice detailing going on here.

OldWarloke
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Posted: Sunday, July 21, 2019 - 01:29 AM UTC
Next I installed the Rear Armor Plate a really good fit here.

The Engine Deck was installed in 3 steps as shown leaving the Hatches for last as their edges wil need some sanding to get them to sit flush.

I trimmed a little too much on the corner.

You should pay special attention to where the Hatches touch as there's a burr from the sprue there and if not cleaned up the hatches can't sit flush.
Regards
Donald
OldWarloke
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Posted: Monday, July 22, 2019 - 02:28 AM UTC
Now for something a little different.
I decided to replace the plastic Bow Mg. with a metal one.
Here is how I did it.

First removed the Gun barrel and drilled the ball mount to fit the new Gun.

There are 2 in the kit so if you screw up one you have a spare.

OldWarloke
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Posted: Monday, July 22, 2019 - 02:31 AM UTC



The only thing I really really hate about doing a Sherman build is doing those Dammed Light Guards ( I hate Photo Etch)
Here's the completed upper front hull.


Finished for now.
Donald
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Monday, July 22, 2019 - 02:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text




The only thing I really really hate about doing a Sherman build is doing those Dammed Light Guards ( I hate Photo Etch)
Here's the completed upper front hull.


Finished for now.
Donald



Hi, Donald!

I think that this Front Glacis/Bow is MUCH BETTER with the Metal MG Barrel! That's EXACTLY the way I would have done it in this case, and very similar to what I do with all of my 1/35 Shermans! Using the PE Brush Guards for the Lights makes this model pop! I know that A LOT of guys don't like using PE, but I personally can't do without it! I LOVE that stuff!!!

GREAT WORK all the way through, so far. It'll be interesting to see what you'll be doing on this kit, next!
OldWarloke
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 07:51 AM UTC
I have a little more finished.
I pre assembled the rear storage rack off the Hull, these are the Gun Cleaning Rods.



OldWarloke
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 07:54 AM UTC



I'll be installing the Formations Pioneer tools after painting.

Done for today.
Donald
Charlie-66
#186
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 09:56 AM UTC
This build is really looking great. I'm with you on the light brush guards. I refuse to even fool with the P/E ones anymore.
tangodown
#494
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 10:09 AM UTC
Loving this thread! Can't wait to turn mine into a Canadian Korean war version. Keep em commin!
rfbaer
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Posted: Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 11:02 AM UTC
Still following, great presentation!
OldWarloke
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Posted: Wednesday, July 24, 2019 - 04:35 AM UTC
Today I added the Armored Exhaust Deflector
This is in the raised position.



Now to paint it.
Donald
OldWarloke
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Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 07:00 AM UTC
Installed the Exhaust.


To join the upper and lower hull I started with them parallel with each other, then slid the upper forward using some used knife blades to raise the bolted strip above the strip on the upper front hull.

Once it was over the edge I removed the blades.

Then slid it the rest of the way.
OldWarloke
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Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 07:12 AM UTC
Glued the top and bottom together.
This is what the under side looks like, I'm not shure if there should be some mesh in this position to keep Grenades out.

Here's what the Hull looks like so far.


I'll be working on the structure of the Turret next
Donald
highpoint
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Posted: Thursday, July 25, 2019 - 07:24 AM UTC
This is very nice. I have a quick question. In pic 81 of the hull hatches, they have a beveled edge. How common was this because if I remember right, Blast is the only people that ever added this feature to the hatches. I havent noticed it in many photos but that doesnt mean much...I miss lots already.
Jeff