1944 M36 B1 Tank Destroyer

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Tue May 02, 2017 1:32 pm

Mr. Bix,
They certainly do!
regards,
Painless

Soeren · Post by **Soeren** » Tue May 02, 2017 1:39 pm

I can feel the need/wish of/for quick fun builds between those extensive builds as well. This building a whole evening on only one detail bit, although very rewarding in the end, can be a bit exhausting in the short run. Maybe you can throw in a picture of those interim projects every now and then. You also started that Tamiya B1, did you continue to build it?

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Tue May 02, 2017 2:00 pm

Dr. Soeren,
I will be happy to do so. ;o) The Char B-1 is sitting in my kit stash along with an anticipated Tamiya Mark IV. I suffer from 'Keeping Up with the Jones' when it comes to builds and will sit down to do some smaller, fun projects here after the M36B1 is rolling along.
regards,
Painless

Post by **HERMAN BIX** » Wed May 03, 2017 2:45 am

I should have known

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Wed May 03, 2017 3:00 am

Todays mail brought one of two Fire Extinguishers that I had ordered in different scales ( to see which one might work best ) but the other one will have to do since the 1/12 one I now have is comically large even for a tank. As the afternoon turned to rain showers, I went to work on most of the rest of inner turret detail. Aside from some wire and a couple of bits of leather padding ( and the still missing fire extinguisher ) all of the turret detail is at least built. A few pics:

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Wed May 03, 2017 5:05 pm

Good morning all. Because of the issues with the easily broken exterior details on the all metal MATO M36B1, I sent an email to MATO about it. I didn't expect any kind of a reply so was very surprised when I got an email back this morning from 'Cherry', my sales contact within the company. This took almost a month but at least they got back to me. ( Probably because I mentioned that I was a member of the Forum. ) The exchange went as follows:

re: Cheap Sintered Metal...
Country:America
Good evening,
I have one of your very expensive, all metal M36B1(ir) Tank Destroyers and generally enjoy it very much. The only issue that I and several other owners of this vehicle have to complain about (in common) is the cheaply made, crumbling guards for the head lights and actually any other exterior add on accessory. These parts break into several pieces with the slightest pressure. I'm a member of the RCTankWarfare.co.uk Forum and every owner of this vehicle on there reports the same problems. I was very excited when the companion vehicle to this one , the M10, came out. Now, not so much. I really want you guys to succeed as a company so Tamiya and Heng Long have some competition and we, the buyers have more choice in tank types and selection. Please address this glaring production problem in what is otherwise, a very fine TD.
Thank you,
Painless Black Wolf

Dear Painless Black Wolf,

Thank you for your comments on our Tank. Creating these Tanks take precision and are actually hand made. It takes a lot of precision, time and care to create a realistic Metal Tank. We try our best to make this Model into a Real Tank without it being considered a "Model". If you look at the detail
on our Tanks compared to others, you will see for yourself in the details and accuracy. However our Tanks are not perfect and like any product, can always use improvement. We thank you for your email and support and we will continue to learn and create better tanks.

Best regards,
Cherry

...So we will see what happens. At least they know that a number of people are displeased and will look into it, maybe?

Soeren · Post by **Soeren** » Wed May 03, 2017 5:49 pm

Interesting. Because it is handmade and made with the intention to look like a real tank, it may have parts that are allowed to crumble. Convincing arguments.

Dr Phibes · Post by **Dr Phibes** » Thu May 04, 2017 12:06 am

Well done Painless for raising this, and it's nice to see that Mato are taking on board what comsumers have to say - as you point out, these are not cheap tanks by any measure.
Regarding the problems with the upper hull details parts being made of crumbly stuff (as I call it anyway), the problem isn't restricted to those parts. I have been working recently on the lower hull and come across 'crumbly metal syndrome' in other parts. Nothing fatal I should add (i.e. not load-bearing components) but I'll update with some pics in my build thread when I get time.

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Thu May 04, 2017 3:07 am

Good evening,
I hear you and agree, Soeren. I hope they listen and that future models get a better grade of metal accessory. Doc, Phibes, I will be watching to see what has occurred with yours. I hope it is something I can make a 'before it breaks' repair on. Tonight, I seem to have caught a head cold from the wet weather. I limited my work on the M36B1 to placing a few pieces of of equipment. I have gotten together with W.W. and ordered a couple of extra 3D printed pieces which will _really_ help with the inner turret appearance and keep the 'tin' lid off of it. ;o) Pics:

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Sun May 07, 2017 2:22 am

Nothing in the mail for the last couple of days. Casting about for something to do to the M36B1, I remembered Doc Phibes inspirational .50 cal. I pulled out the Tamiya kit and the ABER brass for it and spent a couple of afternoons working on it. Pics: