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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
M4A3E8 First kit in 15 Years
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 01:33 AM UTC
Hey Guys,
Heres a few quick snaps of my first build in about 15 years. Its the newish Tamiya M4A3E8 kit in 1/35 scale. I've added a bit of PE and resin bits here and there. I had planned on building it out of the box but the more I lurked on several armour modelling sites and saw what was the new norm for building the bug bit me. I still have quite a bit of work to do but this is where it sits right now. None of the hatches are secured yet and the .50 still needs a few more small (really f'n small) pieces added. As well as all the stowage. Thanks for looking hopefully I can kick it in gear and get it done soon.


retiredyank
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Arkansas, United States
Joined: June 29, 2009
KitMaker: 11,610 posts
Armorama: 7,843 posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 01:48 AM UTC
First of all, welcome back and welcome to the site. Looks to be a solid build. Much better than my first. Stowage adds a lot to a build and it's the little things that are noticed. I look forward to seeing your progress.
TopSmith
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Washington, United States
Joined: August 09, 2002
KitMaker: 1,742 posts
Armorama: 1,658 posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 12:47 PM UTC
I feel you! I am working on a campaign to finish unfinished work. Yours is looking good.
M4A3E8Easy8
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Washington, United States
Joined: February 04, 2006
KitMaker: 302 posts
Armorama: 300 posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 01:12 PM UTC
Looks good so far and might I say excellent choice of subject matter. I have only heard good things about this kit (have on on the shelf) Now all you have to do is go crazy with the extra junk on the back and sides and you are set.
ivanhoe6
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Monday, August 20, 2018 - 11:27 PM UTC
Cam, looking good ! It looks like your skills haven't diminished over the 15 year absence. Please keep us updated. And welcome back !
baldwin8
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 23, 2009
KitMaker: 89 posts
Armorama: 74 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 02:01 AM UTC
Lurkers always get bit at some point! A solid start, looking forward to the results.
tnker101
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New York, United States
Joined: November 30, 2007
KitMaker: 117 posts
Armorama: 115 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 03:13 AM UTC
Nice work, have the same kit on my bench. I'm keeping the insanity down to stowage.
deathdork
Joined: March 26, 2007
KitMaker: 314 posts
Armorama: 296 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 04:45 AM UTC
I might have to consider a 15 year hiatus too if it would make my stuff look that good! Nice work!
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 01:26 PM UTC
Thanks so much guy's!! I hope to have some detail work done soon!!! Cheers
Cam
bat-213
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Canada
Joined: December 30, 2011
KitMaker: 902 posts
Armorama: 788 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 22, 2018 - 10:52 AM UTC
im working on my easy 8 at the moment ,yours looks great ,hope mine will look as good as yours .
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 06:23 AM UTC
A small bit of progress today. I added in PE light guards a well as some Resin tools from Formations today. I am also putting together the rather finicky T-66 tracks from Asuka. I had to order these as the kit tracks split apart. Hopefully I'll be on to the stowage shortly and painting.


18Bravo
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Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 09:23 AM UTC
It does look very nice indeed. However, in the above photos there's a pretty prominent mold seam running between the spare barrel mounts on the back of the turret. Just to be sure, I checked my own references from Ft. Carson and Korea, and there is no seam there. Luckily, it'll take you about 5 seconds with a no. 11 blade to get rid of it. Better to know now than after paint.
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 09:47 AM UTC
You're so right and I appreciate the heads up on the seam. It's now gone. This is why I I think this format of sharing your builds you get a lot of extra eyes to spot what you've missed.
Pongo_Arm
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: January 27, 2017
KitMaker: 147 posts
Armorama: 147 posts
Posted: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 10:32 AM UTC
Looks great, what did you do for the periscope guards?
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 11:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Looks great, what did you do for the periscope guards?



Thanks so much. I used Tulip fabric paint. I got the idea from Steve Zaloga.
baldwin8
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 23, 2009
KitMaker: 89 posts
Armorama: 74 posts
Posted: Monday, August 27, 2018 - 11:50 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Looks great, what did you do for the periscope guards?



I used Tulip fabric paint. I got the idea from Steve Zaloga.



Okay, googling Tulip fabric paint worked, but the technique I am interested in. Is there a possible link?
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 28, 2018 - 02:00 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Looks great, what did you do for the periscope guards?



I used Tulip fabric paint. I got the idea from Steve Zaloga.



Okay, googling Tulip fabric paint worked, but the technique I am interested in. Is there a possible link?



It's a dimensional paint so you just paint it on to the photo etch and it gives it some depth. Hope that helps.
bat-213
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Canada
Joined: December 30, 2011
KitMaker: 902 posts
Armorama: 788 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 12:02 PM UTC
what is the color for the hacht ,or did tanks all have od color .
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 03:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

what is the color for the hacht ,or did tanks all have od color .



Do you mean the inside of the hatches? From what I've seen they are all OD on the inside. The Periscopes though are white.
bat-213
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Canada
Joined: December 30, 2011
KitMaker: 902 posts
Armorama: 788 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2018 - 05:21 PM UTC
thanks that is what I thought thanks for clearing that up for me .
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 03:09 AM UTC
Just a small update a few more details added and some rear stowage. I don't have much of a spares box so I am waiting on a few orders to come in to finish off the storage as well as a Legends brass antenna mount.
Im still working out the best way to photograph models so please excuse the lighting.




GTDeath13
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Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 04:29 AM UTC
A very inspiring Sherman build. Are you planning to add amantlet cover?
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 08:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

A very inspiring Sherman build. Are you planning to add amantlet cover?



Hey Nikos,
Thanks for the kind words! No, I won't be putting a mantlet cover on as I think they were introduced too late to have seen any real usage until Korea.
tangodown
#494
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: August 08, 2018
KitMaker: 213 posts
Armorama: 198 posts
Posted: Wednesday, October 03, 2018 - 05:58 AM UTC
I think I am going to call the construction done on this one. I've added a Voyager aerial mount (a real beauty) and a wire antenna. Painting is next.


TKraider
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United States
Joined: September 28, 2018
KitMaker: 16 posts
Armorama: 14 posts
Posted: Friday, October 05, 2018 - 09:13 AM UTC
Lookin' good. I found this form because I got me an easy eightfhj
a couple weeks ago to build
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