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  M4A3(76)W Sherman - Cool Studs, Inc. #4.
GunTruck
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 05:16 AM UTC
Is a model ever really done? I think not. I uploaded photos of my Tamiya M4A3(76)W Sherman - "Cool Studs, Inc. #4." today, after some additional logo and script painting after obtaining a photo of #4''s right side.

Link to Item



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
jonnysocko
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 05:32 AM UTC
Now that's a great tank. Excellent job!

BH
animal
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 06:46 AM UTC
Studs turned out fantastic. Glad to see it done. Thanks.
schmookey
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 07:53 AM UTC
Jim: Really excellent work and an inspiration for us German armor freaks to get our closet stash of Shermans done!
HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 08:14 AM UTC
Looks great. The graohiti really brings it to life. Good to see the actual pics with the model as well.
Clanky44
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 08:46 AM UTC
Excellent Sherman, Jim. Can you give us some history on the tank and her crew?

Frank
ShermiesRule
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:25 AM UTC
Great Sherman. It's unusal to see 3 bar cleats with duckbills
SK2
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 01:35 PM UTC
The Forgotton Heros
The 761 Tank Battlion.Charlie company .Patton's 3 rd Army .Unit motto come out fighting. I was planning to build the same model with the same title (As soon as I finish my first scratch attempt.) .I have read Brother In Arms twice .Written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Anthony Walton.It's agreat book I found it in the libary one day doing research on ref pics and bought my own copy. I am going to change the title to one of the following: thunderbolt ,hurricane,black panthers,widowmaker or forgotton heros .I have never built any armor or any thing from WW 2. I usally build modern but when I read the book I couldn't help my self . sorry .Great job .Great job.
SK2
HONEYCUT
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 03:57 PM UTC
Jim! Nice job here.
Doing a model of a real tank doesn't necessitate the need for a dio to hide it somewhat... Think the simplistic approach to the base shows off what's required- the tank itself...
Question though slightly
I knew the the rear deck supports were on the M4A3 early, and I guess it's only logical that they were on ALL M4A3s as they have the same engine hatches, right?
Cheers
Brad
Drader
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 04:23 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I knew the the rear deck supports were on the M4A3 early, and I guess it's only logical that they were on ALL M4A3s as they have the same engine hatches, right?



It's certainly one of my 'identify the A3' tools, but Squadron's Walkaround M4 has a preserved A3 with torsion bars instead of hinges on the engine hatches. There's no trace of supports (or weld scars) visible.
badger66
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 06:42 PM UTC
Nice,

761st Bn correct? glad to see someone honoring African American soldiers.
Sabot
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 06:51 PM UTC
Very nice, I like the look of the late model Shermans (but those early cast ones are my favorite!).
GunTruck
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:06 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Very nice, I like the look of the late model Shermans (but those early cast ones are my favorite!).



Thanks everyone! I agree Rob, I got a couple of Dragon's new M4A1(76)W Shermans in the mail on Monday and have been checking 'em out ever since. It looks like a nice kit to build and should be a load of fun.

I hope I don't miss anyone:

Don - 761st Tank Battalion is correct. Honoring them, I'm planning out several models covering the vehicles they used; Jeeps, Ambulances, Mortar Tracks, etc.


Quoted Text

It's certainly one of my 'identify the A3' tools, but Squadron's Walkaround M4 has a preserved A3 with torsion bars instead of hinges on the engine hatches. There's no trace of supports (or weld scars) visible.



Bradley & David - I went with the Engine Deck Supports because I felt I could make them out blowing up and contrasting one of the photos I had. But, I also learned never to say never when it comes to the Sherman. It is easy to argue one way or the other in the absence of having the real #4 preserved as it left the battlefield on VE Day to take a look at.

SK2 - All those are good books indeed! I also recommend Charles W. Sasser's Patton's Panthers: The African-American 761st Tank Battalion in World War II. Kareen Abdul-Jabbar's and Joe Wilson's books cover Charlie Company exploits well - though feeling quite similar in writing style. Charles Sasser's book covers the 761st in broader detail - and really helps to illustrate what all the elements of the unit were doing when split up to support different infantry battalions.

Unfortunately, no reference yet gives the reader a good sense of what "Cool Studs" #1, #2 and #3 were and what they looked like.


Quoted Text

Excellent Sherman, Jim. Can you give us some history on the tank and her crew?



Frank - I have written down what I've been able to find out about "Cool Studs" and it's crew through training Statesides throughout VE Day. I plan on uploading it to Site when I clean it up a bit. They have a fascinating combat history...

Gunnie
jimbrae
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:15 PM UTC
I think the work you've done on 'Cool Studs' , indicates a direction that more of us should be taking - models tied-in with individual unit histories and in particular, examples like the 761st. Curious isn't it, when it's done repeatedly (or to death ) with examples such as Wittman or 502nd 's Tigers but less commonly done with Allied units....

Now, building all of the 'In the Moods' would be an interesting point to start....Jim
badger66
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:42 PM UTC
You know Im here at Fort Hood Texas. There is a very nice monument here dedicated to the 761st. Would be nice to get a picture of the kit or even the kit down here to the musem here on post. anyway just a thought. I ve been working on a redball express 2 1/2 ton my unlce drove during the war.
GunTruck
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:46 PM UTC

Quoted Text

I think the work you've done on 'Cool Studs' , indicates a direction that more of us should be taking - models tied-in with individual unit histories and in particular, examples like the 761st. Curious isn't it, when it's done repeatedly (or to death ) with examples such as Wittman or 502nd 's Tigers but less commonly done with Allied units....

Now, building all of the 'In the Moods' would be an interesting point to start....Jim



This is a philosophy I share too. I get the most satisfaction out of modeling particular vehicles - because of the challenge in researching them and translating that to miniature form. The 761st got me hooked because of the plight of the African-American soldier in WW II. These men were used at the Tank Destroyer School as the "enemy" aggressor forces - and they routinely spanked the TD troops when they rotated in for training. This is where they earned their respect and learned their then-unconventional tactics. It's ironic that no African-American Tank Destroyer battalion got deployed to the ETO as good as these guys were.

I've always wanted to do the "In The Mood" and "Thunderbolt" series of tanks too. The new Dragon kit is a fine base for modeling "In The Mood" - hint, hint...

I'm thinking I'm going in a different direction with my Dragon kit, in modeling a M4A1(76) Tank Commander Warren G.H. Crecy wielded during the 761st's drive into Germany. He was known as "the baddest man in the Black Panthers" - a Sherman warrior as fine as any other that served in the war and someone who strapped on a Sherman like a sidearm. This one was camouflaged...

Gunnie
GunTruck
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

You know Im here at Fort Hood Texas. There is a very nice monument here dedicated to the 761st. Would be nice to get a picture of the kit or even the kit down here to the musem here on post. anyway just a thought. I ve been working on a redball express 2 1/2 ton my unlce drove during the war.



Fort Hood you say? Hmmm.... We should talk...

Gunnie
badger66
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 09:58 PM UTC
sent you an email to your earthlink
GunTruck
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 10:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

sent you an email to your earthlink



Got it! Thanks - and I will inquire about the Museum and Monument possibilities in a follow-up email...

Gunnie
jackhammer81
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Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 11:21 PM UTC
Jim, great unique build. I love it. Cheers Kevin
SK2
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Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 11:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Nice,

761st Bn correct? glad to see someone honoring African American soldiers.




On saterday feb.11 20:00 hrs. The History Channel is showing a documentary on the 761 st and othe African American unit's serving in W W 2. Their is going to be newley found un-released photos shown as well.

Who made the fig's you used.
Thanks in advance .
SK2
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 09:17 PM UTC

Quoted Text

On saterday feb.11 20:00 hrs. The History Channel is showing a documentary on the 761 st and othe African American unit's serving in W W 2. Their is going to be newley found un-released photos shown as well.

Who made the fig's you use.



I modified (mix-n-match) some Dragon figures. Thanks for the programming note too.

Gunnie
tija
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Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 09:58 PM UTC
Gunney,

Love your Sherman in 761st livery! What decals if any did you use?

Bill
GunTruck
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Posted: Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 10:14 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Love your Sherman in 761st livery! What decals if any did you use?



I used Railroad Scenics dry-transfers for some of the "COOL" and "INC" portions of the logos and the crewmember names where appropriate. "STUDS" is hand-painted as are Tank Commander Daniel "Club Foot" Cardell's nickname "Buttons" and the Turret scripts listing wives and girlfriends.

The National Symbols on the Turret Roof and Engine Deck are airbrushed over vinyl masks.

Gunnie
Shadowfax
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Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 11:49 AM UTC
Jim,

That looks GREAT. You beat me to it in building one of the 761st tanks. Do you have plans to build one of the EZ-8 's they used in Europe?

You're going have to find a 1/35th scale rooster to place on! HAHA That was a great story.

Shadowfax
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