Wight's Sherman

[Mackem]

Great detailing touches Steve.
I'm looking forward to the paint job.

Cheers
John

PS: Can't wait to see what you do to your Stug III

[grim_marmazet]

Your Sherman looks better and better every time!  The toolbox idea is genius! I've been looking for a similar one for my Tiger.
Can't wait to see it finished.
Cheers,
Rik

[STEINER]

Outstanding job Steve

Well done.

STEINER

[Wight]

Thanks chaps.
Quite pleased with the box actually,already easier to store it in the house without having to worry about the herd/kids!
Also if I take it out,it just looks like a toolbox,you would never guess what was in there.

Been off work today and was really hoping to get it primered,but the weather has foiled me,raining all day.

I'm actually a little unsure which way to go with the primer,do I use grey primer or go for matt black?
I did the lower hull matt black when I first started the tank a couple of years ago and then airbrushed on olive green,not realising it should have been olive drab.It worked ok but I remember it took quite a lot of paint to show green on top of the black,which is why I am wondering if grey might be better being a lighter colour.
The good thing I noticed about the black as a base is that it would naturely create darker areas in the recesses etc.
The next dilemma is,do I continue with the olive green or go with olive drab?I'm a bit worried that over time the olive drab will look brown and go dark.
I think the tank was intially painted olive drab from a spray can (remember I got this tank second hand),and if you compare it now to the picture of when I first got it the paint has noticeably darkened with time and handling.Would this happen if it had been sealed with a laquer?

As you can see I'm a little apprehensive about the painting.

Steve.

[Wight]

Hi chaps.
I bit the bullet and got on with the painting.I went for matt black in the end,and then Tamiya XF62 olive drab using my airbrush.
I'm actually very pleased with how it went in the end,it boosted my confidence so much I even decided to try a little fading.
I mixed a little white with the olive drab and lightened up a few areas.It looks a little squiggely in a few areas but I'm not very proficient with the airbrush,I think I'm learning though.

Also because I had to wait a few days for the weather I added a little more detail,even though I had said enough was enough.
I had only 4 spare track parts when I believe there were fixings for 6,so I fitted the 4 I had and made the empty fixings for the other 2.I forgot to take pictures of these before painting,but I got one after.

Anyway I'll start with the picture of the spare track fixings.



Now these are just after applying the olive drab.














Now these next ones are my attempt at a little fading.






Sorry for the amount of pictures but I'm sure you wont mind.
One thing I noticed about painting is how it really brings out the detail,and mistakes!
I'm hoping to paint on the stars over next few days,if I can find my masking tape.

I was then thinking of sealing it with Johnsons Klear/future before doing any washes and weathering.
Is this a good way to do it?I am worried if I do not do this the washes may soak into and stain the matt paint.

Cheers
Steve.

[wibblywobbly]

Steve, this is the first time I have come across your build, and all I can say is that this is fantastic work. I love the detail, it really brings it to life. I have always wanted to do a Sherman but can't find one cheap enough!

Rob G

[Wight]

Thank you Rob.

I was very lucky I believe in finding this one for £150.I think it was fate,I had just sold a couple of rc cars and just happened to have enough money in paypal when it came up.

Steve.

[[ICE]monkey]

very nice, yes go with the klear to seal it , that way its easier to get the washes / weathering off , if it looks to heavy
regards, ice

[Wight]

Thanks again.
Have been reading a very good thread in the tips and tricks section on painting a grey tiger 1.Following this I decided to do some pastel work before sealing it.
Also been using a little scotchbrite and my finger to wear the paint in a few areas,again before sealing as I don't think this will be as possible after sealing.
Also on recomendation of the above thread I bought some Ronseal matt varnish for after the weathering/painting is complete.
Still not finished the pastel stage yet,still got the other side to do.So far I have been mainly using brown with a little orange and yellow mixed it,but I think it looks a little too dark and may go back over with more orangy/brown,more on the orange side.Been looking at pics and watching a Sherman the other day on telly I noticed that even in this country the dust kind of looks more orangy on the tank.
Anyway I'm interested to see what you think.








And here it is with my new Stug 3,which my wife got me for my birthday.




Cheers,
Steve.

[grim_marmazet]

Your Sherman looks better and better every time you post! The weathering is really coming along, can wait to see her all finished up.
I am definitely going to have to do a Sherman soon.
Cheers,
Rik