Use it or Loose it

[ALPHA]

So where exactly in the big boys guide of Tank modelling does it say I have to aquire the skill of blacksmith? I swear ALPHA you really must keep out of the sun or stop drinking that home made spirit because one or both are hurting your head. Reluctantly I have to admit a very nice piece of metalwork, please don't stop, I can hardly wait to see what is coming next! shaun

UHHHHHHHHH.. I think it's in the fine print .... but I thought everyone did this kind of work... It's actually fun Shaun... you get to beat the heck out of something and it's "productive" ...It should have been an easier go... maybe four hours tops... the mantlet itself and the two "wings" were hammered out in about two... it was the soldering that made it complicated... I had contoured the bottom of the wings to fit ..but when I soldered them on .. apparently I had put the wrong one on the wrong side... thus the added 9 hours
There is something called Kava here... made from the roots of tea leaf plant... has the aroma of a sewage depot and the consistency of curdled cream ...don't touch the stuff ....I don't have enough grey cells left to take the dive

Many Mahalos Shaun

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

I am really getting intimidated by all the information and variants out there, with regards to the Sherman. It has been interesting seeing all the different builds here with so many subtle changes. Honestly, wouldn't know where to begin.

Hey Pale... yeah ...it's really daunting for the beginner like me...there are so many little idiosyncrasies documented...and it's really difficult to define what was done in the field and what was done at the factory... just because there is so much documentation on the tank...It drove me nuts to say the least.. almost to the point where it wasn't fun anymore ...reason I had to walk away from it for a little while and enjoy my other tanks lol

And reason I respect and applaud those like fynsdad sass Canned and painless for the work they've accomplished with the Sherman ...and appreciate any input they have given and shown on their builds... it's a rough go ...over coming the mantlet hull and transmission cover are just a few of the hurdles ... the rear bulkhead will be another challenge as I found just as many variants of the exhaust system

Bottom line that I was reminded of from a friend and master... is I have to focus on the FUN... hammering out the mantlet released some of the tension built up... so it onward and upward...

Have a relaxing evening Pale

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Alpha, I agree with the others - all the hours you invested made a great job of it, and it would be a shame not to use it. With those kind of fabrication skills, I can see you scratch building an entire tank one day! -Mike

Thanks MIke... you got to see it in person... so your input has really inspired me to push forward....


PANZER VOR! my good friend

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

I can simply imagine how many times you burned your fingers annealing that one. Fantastic work and patience.

Knock on wood.. no burned fingers.. been fabricating stuff since I was in high school... just nothing this small.. 21/2 inch length and about an inch top to bottom did present a whole lot of challenge ...and since I haven't done it in years ..was worried I wouldn't be able to do it....as apparently that mantlet is rather hard to come by...especially if you want a prototypical result ...but hey ,,, thanks to the guy who invented vise grips ... my finger hands were spared

Not to mention 4.00 for the copper T ... it was not only fun... but a good learning experience .. for now I think I can recreate it in a few hours

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Thank you all for your "use it" votes... it really helped ...as I felt a little too close to the creation of it... though it does pose another challenge... the creation of the backing rotation cover ...I will probably take on that tonight

Adventurous Tanking everyone.. thanks again

ALPHA

[scalawag]

That looks very good Alpha. I would not hesitate to use it. A very skilled fabrication.

[TKcommander]

So what do you think guys ... USE IT OR LOOSE IT...it isn't perfect ...but i feel pretty good that I made it

ALPHA

Ah colourful flowers to make me feel warmer on this chilly morning! I am wondering if I lived in a nice clime like you I would be inspired to make such good work.

USE IT

Well made there ALPHA ... she's gonna be a beauty when finished.

[ALPHA]

That looks very good Alpha. I would not hesitate to use it. A very skilled fabrication.

Thank you scalawag.... the site you posted helped..I still have a lot to learn... I'm keeping my fingers crossed I don't mess up on this one..
once the rotater backing plate is finished... the progress should come along

Thanks again

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

So what do you think guys ... USE IT OR LOOSE IT...it isn't perfect ...but i feel pretty good that I made it

ALPHA

Ah colourful flowers to make me feel warmer on this chilly morning! I am wondering if I lived in a nice clime like you I would be inspired to make such good work.

USE IT

Well made there ALPHA ... she's gonna be a beauty when finished.

Hey TK.. sorry I missed your post...thanks for the "use it" vote... with all the input from veteran SHERMAN builders I can't help but do as they say... as I said before... I still have a long way to go ... but the hurdles have been jump... now progress can really start

Thanks again.

ALPHA

[cannedheat]

i think even if you have decided, to loose it to me along with your low bustle turret wot wot