Another SAUNDERS SHERMAN

[sassgrunt]

Alpha, I really like the way you changed the mantlet, but I'm a little confused as to exactly what you did to get there. From looking at the Before & After pictures, I can see that the sides of the mantlet taper in at the bottom, making a wedge shape. So, you built up the sides with sheet plastic, and made them more parallel to each other, right? And then, did you have to do something similar to the lower half of the front of the mantlet as well? I don't know if that tapers in as well. -Mike

[ALPHA]

Good Morning,
Alpha, you have solved the mantlet dilemma in grand fashion. ;o) It looks so much better dimensionally now against the turret. I did notice your antenna (almost typed umbrella for some reason) and the new heat shrink addition. Very Nice!, my friend. I have to build a non working version that is very flexible. Sassgrunt turned me onto a page that showed the how and why of that photo of the 'Mood' with the antenna looking like it was bent backwards on a ball or knuckle joint. Sgt. Poole just tied his antenna down to the .50 cal storage rack on the back of the turret. Probably to clear field of fire for the .50 cal. The angle we see is just the springs of the mount bent over. That was another 'Whew!' moment as I couldn't find anything like what we thought we were seeing. As Fynsdad noted, you are free and clear to move out to the finish with this Saunders Sherman now.
warm regards,
Painless

This version of the antenna is "springy" I've knocked it with my arm and other things and it just whips back into place...The "mood's" antenna is long...the stock Heng Long would work... all it needs is the little details on the bottom like this one...with that said ... not sure if there are thrift shops where you are...but keep an eye out for used portable radios... they have the ball/twist mounts... with a little imagination could be converted

Thanks for the kind words Painless

Carpe Diem Sir

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Alpha, I really like the way you changed the mantlet, but I'm a little confused as to exactly what you did to get there. From looking at the Before & After pictures, I can see that the sides of the mantlet taper in at the bottom, making a wedge shape. So, you built up the sides with sheet plastic, and made them more parallel to each other, right? And then, did you have to do something similar to the lower half of the front of the mantlet as well? I don't know if that tapers in as well. -Mike

............Hey Mike... sort of I think ............ when I made the copper face plate... I cut about a 1/4 inch off the bottom... just because in it's stock form...the Mato is too tall....but I could see there was still something wrong about it... I then asked fynsdad how he solved the mystery... he posted his solution... it's an excellent solution...the little details make the mantlet look rounder as well as wider on the sides...those details ...something I assume was done in the field ...as photos in the book you lent me as well as the ones I've found on the net... some have ...and some don't have those canvas holding provisions

Believe it or not...it did take me a few weeks to figure out just what was going on with the mantlet ...you don't know how many times I came here just to look at those photos I pointed out...it was confusing because fynsdad's result was so good...as it was clear the stock mantlet was still there... most of his mod was to accommodate the thinner gun....the realization came from staring at the GIRLS UND PANZER pic and the B&W pic...
the pivot is recessed
So basically my solution was to do the same... as it turns out...the Mato mantlet is too thin...so the two pieces I glued to each side tuned out to be the way to go... I took the chance.. and it worked out pretty well... all I have to do is remove the false pivot point that I put on for a reference point ..so the stock Mato mantlet is still there..but totally covered up
The sweet part of the assembly is it can be removed and installed in the normal fashion ..by opening the turret... snapping it off and removing the firing mech
Hope that clarifies stuff ....

Carpe Diem Mike

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Greetings gents...guess some of you have been wondering if I've made progress with my tank ...well good news ..the answer is yes... on Tuesday I managed to metalize the lights...preventing beam leakage...did it using sprue trick 981 c... light the end on fire...twirl it around blow out the flame and jam it into the back of the lights ...trim.. sand....and cover with metal...It had to be done before any other detailing could be done on the upper hull

Wednesday and Yesterday... all the guards and lift rings were forged and soldered...a new horn had to be fabricated.. using sprue trick 874 a... light it on fire..blow out the flame before jamming it into a pointed mold...the face of the horn was made using sprue trick 874 d... light it on fire ...blow out the flame.. and jam it into a mesh ...sand the rear of the face... the front of the horn housing.. glue together

Here are the results
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k7KamEycyI






sawright?....Sawright?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JQwzE5O9ZA

ALPHA

[PainlessWolf]

Alpha!,
Extra sweet work! I love your metal fixtures. They really put the 'T' in Tank. This Grrl is almost ready for paint now?
warm regards,
Painless

[mcevoyi]

Hay Alpha

So really nice work you doing on your sherman .....i have been watching and enjoying ....can't wait to see some paint on her now ..

Iain

[ALPHA]

Alpha!,
Extra sweet work! I love your metal fixtures. They really put the 'T' in Tank. This Grrl is almost ready for paint now?
warm regards,
Painless

Greetings Painless...not quite yet... still have some things to sort out on the turret... one of the minor things is the periscope guard ...you can see the holes drilled..will try and fab that tonight ...and am still figuring out a solution for the hideous joint Mato has on the joining edges of the turret
She's coming along though... Home stretch for sure

Thanks for the kind words Painless

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Hay Alpha

So really nice work you doing on your sherman .....i have been watching and enjoying ....can't wait to see some paint on her now ..

Iain

Hey there Mcevoyi... thanks for dropping by... yeah she's coming along..nothing compared to your builds especially that outstanding Paper Panzer
This one will fit right in with my collection though as she is a better representative than the Stock Heng Long she once was

Thanks again Mcevoyi... Carpe Diem Sir

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

For anyone that will in the future or are presently using the Mato hull for a build...if you can locate white metal light pots... get them...the plastic that Mato used to cast the front and rear housings are very thin... and in the dark will BEAM with crimbo tree likeness... Metalizing mine was the best solution for me...now the lights shine where they are supposed too

Too bad Mato didn't utilize some of the plastic they used on the guards and put them into the light pots

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Too bad Mato didn't utilize some of the plastic they used on the guards and put them into the light pots

I kid you not fynsdad... those light pots are so freakin thin ..and those guards are monstrous...Thing about the Mato... it really makes you wonder about their R&D people... It's like they had one guy draw up the plans to scale.. they tore the plans up...gave it to different departments who couldn't decipher the math.. and came out with a mix match of parts that they force fit to make the final product...as there are so many things that are good about it..but on the other end of the scale equally bad



ALPHA