1944 M36 B1 Tank Destroyer

c.rainford73 · Post by **c.rainford73** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 4:37 am

Hi there

Mr Painless,

Any more progress on this beauty and have any more bits arrived in the post Mr Painless?

I've got two Mato Tiger I lower metal hulls in service. One a very early one and another later version with track tensioners built in. The early one had been quite a challenge to get running just right ( possibly due to the lack of track adjusters) I did however finally correct it.....but the newer hull is a smooth as one could ask for

It appears your Mato metal monster is of a very nice quality. I can't speak of the mato Tiger I upper hulls since I've never attempted to get one, I hear so much bad about the fitment and quality but the second lower hull I acquired has been very rugged and reliable.

I'm very impressed with the rear hatch to the engine bay

Wishing you have the same good experience!

I am following your progress - Carl

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 4:56 pm

Good morning, Carl,
I am waiting on the Post for a complete On\Off battery hookup and for another detail part, a working barrel brace to mount on the rear deck. Also, I am working with Max to get a speaker built for the limited space available in the lower. Once that is complete, I will order it and a TK24 for this TD. I'm using the original TK22 and MATO speakers to test the electronics with ( once that cable switch set shows up ) I've kept myself back from starting on the upper detailing yet. I'm trying to follow my build sheet so I can better organize and save some time. ;o) BTW, thank you for your compliments on the figure painting. I do better with quality figures and manage to turn out some passable crew. It bothers me that I can't replicate my efforts onto the HL figure set and must agree with Doc that they are just lower quality. ( Molds wearing out? ) However, you can see from Hermans Loader that great results can be achieved. They just take a lot more effort!
regards,
Painless

p.s. I had thought about having the General make up a couple of American Antenna bases for use on this TD and the M10. No spares available so I went to look for Schumo, not available. I decided to make up one out of a spare HL Pershing antenna base but then I found the antenna of my dreams * chuckles* the ABER 16054 M48 Base Kit. It's a working base and has to be since the 90mm barrel is going to brush it aside every time it rotates right. Just a tip in case anyone out there is looking for a working aerial\antenna base for their American TD or Sherman.

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 2:35 am

Still waiting on detailing parts via Post. The Battery Cable arrived and after a couple of days of tweaking and muttering and some PM-ing to Max and Doc Phibes, I now have a fully functional, stock MATO M36B1. I couldn't be happier ( yet ) Everything works perfectly and even the twinned MATO speakers aren't that bad. Clean sounds, just not a lot of bass. Now that everything is working, it's time to take it all apart again for detailing and paint *laughes* A TK24 and boxed single speaker are on their way from Max soon ( as soon as the speaker is assembled ) so I have a little time to work on it. Pics:

c.rainford73 · Post by **c.rainford73** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 2:47 am

Very very nice Mr Painless

so glad you have made it to this point and can't wait to hear it run with that tk24 and that great speaker!

Beautiful tank

Carl

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 6:29 am

Carl!
Thanks, Doc. I'm really looking forward to getting into the detailing now. Mostly the turret interior and some some tasty Schumo and Aber dress up parts. It runs and all the functions work again so time for fiddly fun.
Regards,
Painless

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:05 pm

A quiet Sunday afternoon gave me a couple of hours to work on the M36B1. Today was 'take stuff off' day in anticipation of detailing. I also got in a little more wiring management on the Lower. Pics:

sassgrunt · Post by **sassgrunt** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:39 pm

No kidding, Painless. That stowage rack from EddyK is really gorgeous!

Post by **HERMAN BIX** » Sun Apr 09, 2017 10:57 pm

Yeah, that is a little wonder of the hobby world that is .
How heavy is this one Mr Painlesss ?
I must admit to preferring the roof-on look, nice tank and good luck with the myriad if details you are sure to put on !

PainlessWolf · Post by **PainlessWolf** » Mon Apr 10, 2017 12:05 am

Good afternoon, my friends,
Mike, I don't buy something like this every day so I really wanted to up the ante a little in the detail department for this M36 and the combo resin M10 kit to follow. The rack is a perfect add on for an all metal vehicle. Herman, I'll be using the roof at times and be able to leave it off for running. Weight of this TD is 6500 grams per MATO so 14 pounds at least. Not quite as heavy as the 'Palace' but getting up there.
regards,
Painless