M4A1 Sherman - 2nd Armoured - Carentan

[grim_marmazet]

The final part! I have another completed bogie.

After whatever you've used to fix the steel tubes has dried, you need to drill the holes for the rod that the wheel arms go on. I used the existing pattern as a guide;


The next thing to do is shave down the ends of the wheel arms, this will let them clear each other and not foul up;


You should have all the components you need to assemble the bogie, minus the wheels;


The first part to the assembly is to put in place the springs and pivot arms;


Then with a great amount of fiddling about you get the wheel arms mounted on the rods and in place;


At this point, test that the arms move freely, and the springs can easily move up and down, then you can move on to the wheels.
I drilled the holes open to 6mm, the put a 6mm x 3mm x 2.5mm bearing in each side. Using a section of 3mm rod cut to length, they run nice and smoothly;


Once done you can glue the ends of the 3mm rod in place to make it secure. I've left them unfixed for now, so I can paint them without the tires on;


There you have it, a completed bogie, with prototypical suspension. Now repeat 5 more times and your done! lol

Cheers,
Rik

[grim_marmazet]

I have also been working on the turret. I didn't like the idea that the bottom should be glued on. It would be messy to remove for maintanence.

My solution was to use 4 recessed screws on the bottom to affix it;



To hold them in I used a styrene block with a nut mounted in it for strength. I used poly cement to hold the block in place, as it gives a much stronger bond for plastic to plastic. Its a simple mod, but will make life a lot easier;


Cheers,
Rik

[grim_marmazet]

I decided to add a little detail that's not on the 105mm Shermans, the M3 Smoke Mortar. It was a simple mod to add, but looks great!

I drilled a hole at a forward angle in the turret;


I used a styrene rod, I used a 5mm one, and poly cemented it in place, facing forward;


I got a bit enthusiastic and forgot to take pics of the next couple of steps. I cut the rod parallel to the hull, leaving a lip. I used some poly cement to soften the styrene, 'blending' it into the hull. Once it dried, i sanded it a bit, and used some Mr. Surfacer to merge it with the hull. Once the cast texture is applied, it'll look like it was always there.


Cheers,
Rik

[fv432]

outstanding work Rik

love that suspension set up i bet it moves really well cant wait to see the end result

[grim_marmazet]

Thanks mate! It does move a lot more realistically. The springs are very stiff, which should give a stiff movement. This will be very real, as the Sherman suspension wasn't that smooth, lol. I'll have to wait until all the bogies are done and the electronics are in to see how it runs.
I was worried, the bogies would end up very weak, but they seem robust enough. Eventually, i'd like to learn a bit of metal casting, and remake all the bits in metal.

Still a while to go, but thats the fun bit! I have to say, I much prefer the build than the actual running afterwards, lol.

Cheers,
Rik

[fleshpedler]

looking dam good Rik just keep at it ........maybe will will get a chance to see this in the flesh as they say.............as you have done so much then take the time to do the mod to the sprockets so it will run without any problems if unsure as to what, then just pm me and i will do what i can too help/.........
Fleshy...............................

[grim_marmazet]

Thanks Fleshy! Hopefully, i'll get a chance to bring her and the Tiger to a meet sometime this year. I don't drive, and lugging a couple of tanks on the train isnn't going to be fun. It's still going to be a few months till she's finished though.

I'm planning on using the Tamiya sprockets. I saw a build on RCU where he used the 2 inside sections, and the sprocket screws from a Pershing. You, just cut one down, and sand it off. It should go ok, but i'm going to get some spares just incase, lol.

I'm getting a love for Allied armour now, i'd like to give my hand at maybe trying a M10 Tank Destroyer after the Sherman. The hull looks simple enough, but the turret is a complex shape. The open top is a pain for elevation and recoil, but i'm formulating ideas! I still have to get a Panther though.

Cheers,
Rik

[grim_marmazet]

Sorry about the lack of updates. I've mostly been repeating the suspension mod, so it wasn't very interesting to show.
I have got a few new bits done though. I improved the idlers using the brass bushings from the Tamiya kit just to improve the life of the idler. they have developed a slight wobble as they spin, but nothing major;



I added the Schumo brass final drive supports;


The gearboxes have the Schumo braces added and have been mounted;


I have fitted all the suspension bogies, and tested the unloaded weight on them. They all seem to line up fine;


And lastly for tonight, I modified the Tamiya sprockets. In the kit they give you two sets of inner pieces, one marked 'do not use'. I used these and cut them down until the two parts were the right width for the mato tracks. These should be much stronger than the plastic Mato ones, they also have a nicer look to them. To hold them in place i've ordered some Pershing sprocket screws as they have a flat top and are longer, but the Sherman ones just fit;



I need to airbrush the lower hull in Vallejo Model Air 043 Olive Drab (after reading several fascinating articles about Olive Drab paint and how its not actually green, i've decided Vallejo's interpretation is a good scale match), and also the wheels. Then I can fit the wheels, and start on the upper hull and internals.
I have the Pershing MFU now, and the recoil on the way, so more to show soon I hope!

Cheers,
Rik

[fv432]

loads of work in there Rik

keep up the good work mate the way its shaping upi will be a real head turner

[grim_marmazet]

I reduced the size of the speaker box today. Pretty simple to do, I just cut the top section out and made up some new styrene sides.

I used the original brass hexagonal posts inside to hold the speaker in. The longer ones do need cutting down to fit. I also left the bottom uncovered, but stuck some styrene in the lower hull to isolate the speaker from the metal hull.





For anyone doing this mod and adding the Mato suspention, you'll need to cut out sections for the bogie mounts and idler screws in the back. The whole thing fits in nicely with friction alone.

Cheers,
Rik