1944 M4A3 105mm

[PainlessWolf]

74th Day: Tonight was a simple night and oft times those see the most done. Scalawag, this build owes you a great deal due to both your knowledge of electrics and Shermans, both real and RC. Thank you, Sir. Alpha, thank you, my friend. Maybe I would have if HL hadn't deemed our Caballero to be a 105mm Howitzer and not a 75mm gun tank. Tankwise, I installed the engine bay door louvers that Sassgrunt had thoughtfully sent along. The metal engine bay doors on this Sherman are slightly smaller than the molded one ones it comes with but still larger than the ones on the F.O.V. metal hull that these louvers hail from. As it so happens, this is a happy incident because, since I had to build a plastistruct frame for these metal doors to rest on when they close, the louvers being smaller were still a perfect fit when attached to the door's interior edges, allowing both doors to close normally. A Win! The louvers add a needed bit of weight too , helping to keep the doors closed when down. Thanks again, Sassgrunt! Next, I did a bit of detail painting. I began with the tow cable and in the process of snipping away an unwanted square mount promptly broke it. *laughs* No problem. Out came the Yankee drill and a #69 bit. I snipped the broken edges flat and drilled both. I then pinned\glued the cable back together with the single track pin from my 1/30 HL Sherman's recent broken track. I painted the cable and set it aside to dry for the night. Lastly, I painted the leather pad on the Loader's hatch then made one for the Commander's hatch by snipping a self-adhesive slider in half and painting it leather as well. Pics:

[jarndice]

I always think the hardest thing about building a (excuse me ) shelf queen is getting the balance right with detail, and you have built an excruciatingly beautiful example, I doubt the word tasteful is often used when referring to Tanks but it is the most appropriate for this delight to the eyes, oh and I quite like it as well. shaun

[scalawag]

Hi Painless, just out of interest, where is the tow cable you are using from? is it a Mato one?

Ive splashed out on the Schumo ones for both of my shermans, excellent flexible metal cable and lovely working clasps. The usual schumo really, lovely bits of kit, and not too pricey by their standards I think I paid about £14 each for mine from Steve at WelshDragon.

[cannedheat]

that extra little bit again painless old chap are you thinking of insurance ? grables legs ,mansfields t..s you get the drift ,......

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning,
Thank you for the compliments, Jarndice. ;o) This Sherman is quite the runner as well with the 2.4Ghz set installed and the Mato metal tracks, sprockets and HL idlers. I'm looking forward to a sunny day with no snow where I can sit comfortably in the yard and run it around and take pictures. Good eye there, Scalawag. I liked the cable that came on the M4A1 and when I bought some Mato stuff from Dave at Forgebear, I had him send me along another one for this Sherman. I had thought about making my own cable with some shackles I had and picture wire and as you note, Schumo's cable set is perfection. I have already stopped just short of buying the complete turret that Schumo offers in metal but added almost everything else that they make for the Sherman that I didn't want to make myself...so, Mato Cable! *chuckles* Schumo will have another shot at my wallet with the upcoming KV-2A build. There will be room for some cable sets there. CH, I've been meaning to mention, enjoy that beautiful IDF Sherman that you plucked off of Frynsdad. That will be a very cool runner and display Sherman as well.
regards to all,
Painless

[ALPHA]

Got a new driver for your new tank painless


That straight laced commander might need a little incentive to party with Crazy Joe and his crew



..............................

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

75th Day: Alpha, a wonderful choice of crew. The Mate got a good smile out of them. ;o) Tonight was a fun night again. I'm getting to like those. Tankwise, I wasn't satisfied after the 'leather pads' on the hatches had dried so I put another coat on tonight for deeper color. Getting out the new pin vise, I did some eye calculating and drilled the indents out on the hull for the Mato tow cable to install into. It is a really good fit. I pulled the cable down in front and did some more eyeballing then got out a file and made the cut in the stowage plank for the transmission cover. A touch of stain and it turned out very well. Almost to the point where I can lash and chain on the stowage. I will need to concoct a mount for the two spare road wheels but have finally seen a picture of a tank where that had been done. Pics:

[scalawag]

Looking great Painless. Not too much more to do now

[PainlessWolf]

Good Morning Scalawag,
I have a short list of last things to do and it gets shorter everyday. ;o) However, I slept on it and am going to manufacture a clamp for the tow cable on the transmission cover like the M4A1 has. I don't want to hit a bump outside and send my stowage flying because the tow cable sprang up. *chuckles*
regards,
Painless

[ALPHA]

Just got one question painless.... if you secure the cable to the front....how are you going to open your tank for service

ALPHA