Sherman M4A1 with cast in appliqué armor using photogrammetry

[MonsieurTox]

While I was happy with my modified high bustle HL turret to a low bustle, I finally was able to take more pics of more real low bustle turrets so I thought I would give another go at photogrammetry to reproduce an accurate low bustle turret.

For that I had to use 2 real turrets, one of them I was able to take pics of the top and I took pics of the sides front and back of the second. I then combined both 3D results to turn them into one turret. It's been a lot of work (several days actually). I printed it in resin.

Right out of the printer, it's rough because the pictures I took were not of the best quality because of poor lighting.

IMG_20241026_210100.jpg (645.28 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

IMG_20241026_210110.jpg (520.67 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

IMG_20241026_210120.jpg (576.29 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

IMG_20241026_210129.jpg (582.21 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

You can notice that the photogrammetry even picked up the turret casting number! It's not full because I merge the front of another turret in this area.

IMG_20241026_210139.jpg (695.58 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

Comparison sith my HL turret :

IMG_20241026_210150.jpg (817.29 KiB) Viewed 1389 times

After some sanding...

IMG_20241026_211815.jpg (1.03 MiB) Viewed 1388 times

[MonsieurTox]

Here some pics as it stands today.

-I made the hull casting texture.

-I 3D modeled new accurate road wheels and idlers, using photogrammetry to get the perfect shapes. Wheels and idler wheels are much larger than the HL ones. I cast rubber tires (which I molded from the AHHQ M10 kit, see my dedicated thread for more Infos).

-The scoops on the rear hull are made with the help of photogrammetry. Their shape is a bit more complicated than it seems and I have to see a manufacturer to make accurate ones (including Tamiya and Tasca 1/35 Shermans).

-I made new mantelet, rotor shield and rotor.

-I still have to work on the turret to smooth everything before adding texture!

IMG_20241026_211902.jpg (1.54 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_211910.jpg (1.51 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_211924.jpg (1.03 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_211932.jpg (1.37 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_211943.jpg (1.73 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_211953.jpg (1.35 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_212000.jpg (1.55 MiB) Viewed 1386 times

IMG_20241026_212016.jpg (767.86 KiB) Viewed 1386 times

[Tiger6]

I always had a feeling that the HL wheels were undersize, nice to be vindicated

[MonsieurTox]

I always had a feeling that the HL wheels were undersize, nice to be vindicated

Diameter is OK, width is another story, they should be (from memories) at least 3mm wider... I had to give up on 0.5mm in order to get enough clearance of the wheels/tires and the track guides even if I plan to use Mato metal tracks later, I'm using the HL plastic tracks for now and they are narrower.

[Tiger6]

Making them single link and moving the guide horns inboard for robustness and cost reasons was the price to pay for easy track links I guess.

[MonsieurTox]

Making them single link and moving the guide horns inboard for robustness and cost reasons was the price to pay for easy track links I guess.

I think you're right. And I'm not complaining here, I'm happy to have a way to get running Sherman lower hulls for cheap. Changing the wheels and idler wheels to wider ones as an easy and cheap way that change the look a lot. Tracks are not that accurate but they are quite strong and pretty cheap, a good way to get it running until I can replace them with metal mato ones!

[Tiger6]

a good way to get it running until I can replace them with metal mato ones!

Honestly, having had Hooben T55 suspension 's fall apart due to Mazak rot, and other friends suffer similar failures on aftermarket HL parts, I'm all in on plastic

[MonsieurTox]

a good way to get it running until I can replace them with metal mato ones!

Honestly, having had Hooben T55 suspension 's fall apart due to Mazak rot, and other friends suffer similar failures on aftermarket HL parts, I'm all in on plastic

Yes I'm not that impressed with all the metal parts around there, most are very rough, I had some problems with the metal mato Sherman tensioner, the thread gave up the first time I lightly tightened the screw on one of them... Their tracks seem to be OK though...

[Raminator]

Absolutely stunning work, Mssr. Tox! Some next-level accuracy and authenticity, I love seeing the marriage of classic and modern modelling techniques. Everything's so crisp and well-textured!

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Monsieur Tox: I continue to admire your work and its results in this, my lasting image of the Sherman, an image affixed over a half-century ago in my 13-year-old pea brain. Thank you for the photos. Great cheers to you for your design and building patience, skill, and knowledge,