1944 M36 B1 Tank Destroyer

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Mon May 29, 2017 7:02 pm

Yeah they're very wierd! I had to tell them who I was here and let them see several of my builds before they would send the replacement bogie that was broken. I'm not a big fan of there's anymore after the mess that I bought from them and the treatment I received. Calling someone "sir" and sounding polite in emails doesn't negate the insults they imply.

As far as I'm concerned all they are good for is as a parts supplier. As for whole tanks they are over priced and the build quality too much a crap shoot for me to ever bother with again.

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Tue May 30, 2017 12:48 am

A quiet Memorial Day morning so before all the cooking madness began, I took time to put the tracks back on the M36B1. I anticipated having to add a link to each side but as it turned out, the idler adjustment I had made earlier did the trick nicely. Pics:

c.rainford73 · Post by **c.rainford73** » Tue May 30, 2017 1:47 am

Absolutely beautiful work Mr Painless. The tracks add such a great touch. What I find with your builds is all the little intracate details you add become greater once the big bits are added. Joe is quite a character

I assume he's already polished off the first bottle!
This machine is just about perfect. Even when you fix the cover to the turret it's amazing.

What the little details you have placed inside the turret add is that "extra" that once viewed make you ( the viewer) think that you could be standing there right beside or inside of it almost daring you to think is this full scale?

That is what scale modeling is all about IMHO - when you as the builder are trying to get the most out the hobby you want to have fun (first and foremost) , but ultimately you want someone to do a double take and ask " is this full scale? I know it's not but it's damn close"

Well done

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Tue May 30, 2017 2:35 am

Carl, my Friend,
Thank you very much! The last bits will hopefully add the rest of the luster to this build. Joe can roll off into the sunset ( or the nearest ditch ) secure in the knowledge that the Army Depot has set him up right. ;o)
regards,
Painless

jackalope · Post by **jackalope** » Tue May 30, 2017 3:31 am

The tracks should have fit perfect when you got it, one of the few things I liked about the tank! In fact I got another set of those tracks for my Firefly build IF I can ever get to it.

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Tue May 30, 2017 3:37 am

Terry,
I _really_ love those tracks. The idler adjusters work great as well. A little time with a piece of flat stock and it's easy to get both idlers on the same notch in the hub backing. I loosened up the tracks a little bit so they have extra room to move with the roadwheels. It's a tip I got from Sass and it has worked great on 'Maxene' and 'In The Mood' ( on those tanks, I had to add a link. There wasn't those snazzy adjustable idlers back then ;o)
regards,
Painless

Dr Phibes · Post by **Dr Phibes** » Tue May 30, 2017 11:05 pm

Painless you are at it again, putting ideas in my head and blazing the trail!

The turret interior sure comes to life when the paint goes on and the cover for the servo is super

- hadn't thought about what to do with that part of the turret interior but now I have some ideas . My elevation servo was similarly mounted but didn't even have the glue stick stuff yours had. Mato have some strange ideas sometimes for sure

. Regarding the track adjustment, mine were all over the place, until I realized Mato had the 'bump' on the adjuster up on one side and down on the other so the ride height was unequal (if that makes sense), anyway fixed now.
Good news on the Schumo delivery at Axel's (hopefully) I have most of the Schumo upgrades for the M36 now but there are parts I still haven't been able to source (e.g. the travel lock) and some bits for a planned Jag/Tiger build, if I ever get to it!.
Looking forward to seeing the final steps - are you going for the 'battle weary' of 'factory fresh' look (or perhaps something in between - I have this in mind myself for this one)?

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Tue May 30, 2017 11:42 pm

Doc Phibes!
I was pleased with the results of the turret interior detailing. It sort of became one of those 'fool the eye' things where a 2D piece of art looks 3D. *chuckles* I'm looking forward to hearing from ETO any day now that the final Schumo kit for the exterior has been shipped. Once that is installed along with the tow cable kit, it will be time for markings. This TD will be Field Depot fresh ( as are most of my tanks ) showing a little wear but freshly maintenanced with some dust effects. Looking forward to new pics of yours, Doc.
regards,
Painless

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Wed May 31, 2017 5:56 am

Not a lot of time today as the evening seemed to pass by in a blur of sound and fury. ( not the famous tank, sadly ) I managed to do a couple of minor pieces of detailing around the rear deck. I painted that and called it an evening. More soon. Pics:

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Sun Jun 04, 2017 6:44 am

I took some time this afternoon to stop by a local Hobby Lobby to pick up some black foam or fabric to sort out the engine deck hatches. I found some very flimsy black material that looked the goods. Home later, I found that this material was so flimsy that an Exacto blade would just drag it and scissors were almost useless. I figured it out and it worked out well. I made a start on the shell bases for the ready rack in the turret but they are going to require the Dremel and a metal cutting disc so that can wait until tomorrow after their paint job cures. Pics: