old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

This section is to 'show and tell' about any customizing or re-modeling you have done (or are doing) to a Heng Long tank.
Forum rules
This section is for posting a build log of your Heng Long tank.
Questions relating to issues you are having with your tank(s) should be posted in the General Questions forum here: viewforum.php?f=14
User avatar
greengiant
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Posts: 1139
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:15 am

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by greengiant »

I to used the original Mato idler sanded down to the diameter of HL's idler and unmodified drive sprocket but still have the original tracks. The smaller HL road wheels run just fine( so far ) on the slightly wider between the track guide Mato tracks. Since they are up against the front of the track guides you can't see the that they are narrower then the Mato roadwheels but you can see they are smaller in diameter then the Mato units.

Your build looks very interesting. :thumbup: Hope you post it all when you finish it. Who made the turret you are using ???
User avatar
Model Builder 4
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2329
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:46 pm
Location: South Wales valleys
Contact:

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by Model Builder 4 »

Hi GG,

The tank originally started out as an heng long, I modified the heng long turret myself and used a cast mato upper hull, I used a 3 piece resin transmission cover from Dean, small hatch set from Woz on shapeways and a Nick Aguilar early resin mantlet. I've added a couple of pics of the conversion and another pic of the commander for the fella's amusement :haha: :thumbup:

Cheers, Lee. ImageImageImageImageImage

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk
Me ? Addicted ? Never !! :crazy:
User avatar
greengiant
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Posts: 1139
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:15 am

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by greengiant »

Nice job. You do some really quality work.
I didn't realize that Mato even offered their M1a1 as a metal unit.
I of course was not looking for it as I have stayed with inexpensive eto units that are plastic.
User avatar
Model Builder 4
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2329
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:46 pm
Location: South Wales valleys
Contact:

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by Model Builder 4 »

Thank you GG :D the tank is in fact all plastic except for the tracks, sprockets, gears etc the cast I referred to is the hull shape itself other than a welded hull :thumbup:

Cheers Lee.
Me ? Addicted ? Never !! :crazy:
User avatar
greengiant
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Posts: 1139
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:15 am

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by greengiant »

That explains why I haven't seen a metal upper of an M1a1 by Mato.
I was really wondering how you changed the drivers and loaders hatches on a metal hull.
Still impressed by what you've so far.
User avatar
Model Builder 4
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2329
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:46 pm
Location: South Wales valleys
Contact:

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by Model Builder 4 »

Much easier converting the hatches on a plastic turret GG :D I had the metal split hatch from Dave and filled in the loaders hatch with styrene, I also converted a set of T49 mato metal tracks from Dave into the early T41 tracks :thumbup:

Cheers, Lee.
Me ? Addicted ? Never !! :crazy:
User avatar
43rdRecceReg
Major
Posts: 6295
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:38 am
Location: North West Highlands, Scotland

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

An eye-catching model, Lee, made with some tasteful bespoke parts. :thumbup: I take she's wearing Winter clothing at the moment; and I like the hints of Olive drab showing through here and there. :thumbup: :D
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please"- Mark Twain.
User avatar
Model Builder 4
2nd Lieutenant
Posts: 2329
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2015 3:46 pm
Location: South Wales valleys
Contact:

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by Model Builder 4 »

It will have desert camo when its finished Roy :D I've made a start on the base colour as shown on the previous page :thumbup:

Cheers, Lee.
Me ? Addicted ? Never !! :crazy:
User avatar
Soeren
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Posts: 1356
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:27 pm

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by Soeren »

This is looking great already.
User avatar
greengiant
Warrant Officer 2nd Class
Posts: 1139
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 12:15 am

Re: old MATO M4a1 Sherman Height correction

Post by greengiant »

I had an Aguilar split hatch that I wanted to use but managed to loose one of the doors :{
so kept the Mato split hatch even though its a little chunky looking 8O
Post Reply

Return to “Heng Long Builds”