Another SAUNDERS SHERMAN

[sassgrunt]

Yes, it is a mind-numbing amount of work, (for me, anyway). A three-piece transmission cover can be had from Tanktoko, an open-spoke idler can be stolen from the FOV M4A3, and I have managed to make open-spoke bogie wheels by modifying ones from a static 1/18 Sherman. But those roller-on-top bogies have me stymied!

And in truth, if I could figure out the bogies, I would build an M3 Lee/Grant before the Sherman, anyway. But - it would ALSO need to have skirts!

[PainlessWolf]

Sassgrunt,
Definitely build this one. I have become fond of the Sherman in it's primary role as a rolling yard sale with a main gun. ;o)
warm regards,
Painless

[ALPHA]

...I fixed the skirts to the upper hull, Mike, that way I thought if I didn't like them or screwed them up I could just get a replacement
...anyway don't want to hijack your thread any more...when I've done some more I'll start a build thread.

I am so impressed with the speed in which you did those skirts fynsdad.... they are so perfect in construction .... Don't feel bad about continuing with more photos .. I don't mind... in fact ...I feel completely opposite... as yours now inspires me... especially since I have a long long way to go still
You have a fine eye for detail... so by observing what you do... I might find things I missed....So there is no intrusion considered by me ..or in other words
HIJACK THIS THREAD to your hearts desire

Carpe Diem ModelMaster

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Yes, it is a mind-numbing amount of work, (for me, anyway). A three-piece transmission cover can be had from Tanktoko, an open-spoke idler can be stolen from the FOV M4A3, and I have managed to make open-spoke bogie wheels by modifying ones from a static 1/18 Sherman. But those roller-on-top bogies have me stymied!

And in truth, if I could figure out the bogies, I would build an M3 Lee/Grant before the Sherman, anyway. But - it would ALSO need to have skirts!

As I study the photo ... I can see where you are coming from Mike.. with that said though... those bogie sets don't look so impossible to re create... they are a tad shorter..but the runner supports don't look that difficult to redo
I think the best aspect of the argument not to do it is your last statement... "why not do a M3Lee/ Grant"...as I have been tempted...since the Oarai school had the pink one...my issue isn't external so much... but more the internal... with a moving and firing main gun.. plus the cupola turret the mechanics and electrical.. would pose a challenge all it's own....but the one thing I've learned in this Hobby started only a few months ago... never say never... as what is thought as impossible.. becomes possible

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Cheers Mike, happy to do a side-by-side build . I think you're a bit further along with yours, mines a bit of a re-work. The chassis is a std HL one but with mato metal wheels fitted to the HL bogies, the hull is std (but now with added skirts), and a Mato turret as I nicked the original for the dozer build

...Not so MasterModeller fynsdad ...I'm not sure if you noticed .... but my upper hull is completely bare ....all the electricals have to be transferred from the HL hull...and the turret .... so my journey is not even close to mid point

Have a question about your build... how did you deal with the seam line on the turret... mine gave me a lot of problems because of the way Mato "interlocked" the seams...so when I sanded them the upper (with the recessed area on the inside) got so thin ... the outer edge began to peel..leaving a pretty noticeable gap...I was kind of able to sort that out.... but when the screws that join the upper and lower together are put in...(because the rear is offset) one side bows
I don't see any filler or putty on yours...so I was just wondering

Thank you for staying on with your build fynsdad ... I have a feeling I will learn a lot from the experience... not to mention .. I get to look at that enticing trademark of yours ..............

Carpe Diem fynsdad

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Greetings Gentlemen... got a little work in last night... as I was finally able to pin down some photos of the exhaust I needed to complete the rear bulkhead
It turns out that all it is ..is a box... the box covers two dump exhaust pipes ...so this is what I came up with





there was no need to have the dump exhaust pipes... so I just made the box using scrap plastic ...and a battery door off a helicopter for the grill cover..then sealed it up once the grill was in place


this photo shows the cuts I had to make to the HL hull to accommodate the Mato upper ...also the cleaner hook up of the smoker lines...


Photo with the hull on.... nice and tight.. and everything looking alright

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

These are the photos I used for reference..



Not exact..but close enough lol

ALPHA

[ALPHA]

Close but no cigar....you really need to remove at least one if not both of these bolts


..seriously though...beautiful work bud

The bolts ....aren't those there to hold the hatch shut when the tank is in motion ? Wouldn't that also mean if I took one or two of them off... there is the possibility of the doors flying open

Of all things to not get a cigar for... I thought I'd get hit with " those wing nuts are just way too big" .....

Thanks fynsdad... I will make the corrections toot suite

ALPHA

[HERMAN BIX]

Im sorry boys but there is something about a Sherman in a skirt...............Mr Fyns picture of the hull upper in his hand was ok, but mated to the running gear - theres those skinny 'legs' again.
The bogie mounts & track width just seems , well, wrong under the skirt !!
To be honest, I was trying to get a bit closer to the 'skirt' on the side of the hull

[ALPHA]

Im sorry boys but there is something about a Sherman in a skirt...............Mr Fyns picture of the hull upper in his hand was ok, but mated to the running gear - theres those skinny 'legs' again.
The bogie mounts & track width just seems , well, wrong under the skirt !!
To be honest, I was trying to get a bit closer to the 'skirt' on the side of the hull

It makes you wonder doesn't it Herman....why did the allies equip the Shermans with skirts in the first place...as the ones that really thought they were useful were the British... Most of the American crews took them off ...but on they went... hundreds...released from the factory with skirts... Which could well be said about the tanks that preceded and followed... both the Pershing and the Chaffee ...also were equipped with skirts..for who knows what reason... as the allied version of skirts offered little to no real armor protection...and even with the wider "legs" did not enhance the "look" of the tank ..let alone the functionality

But they were there... Personally I think there is a 50/50 split on the view of the skirts.... probably why some model manufacturers don't produce models with them on,,,and others include them as an option for those who appreciate the look

As I explained before ... skirts aren't a favorite aspect of any allied tank... to me they are kind of goofy ...but with that said... after coming this far on my build... the look is actually growing on me...and I actually don't mind at all on the welded hull as it adds to the symmetry...and as fynsdad said .. with the wider HVSS suspension... more of an impact it made with them on

So I guess it boils down to "point of view" you don't care for skirts because how it changes the view or general accepted "look" of the tank...me...now that I own one.. can appreciate the aesthetics ....leaving the only question left in my mind.. "Why did they need them at all?"

ALPHA