1944 M36 B1 Tank Destroyer

[PainlessWolf]

Carl, Good morning!,
Considering how long it took me to timidly approach the idea, I'm pleased with the level of detail it adds. As always, on a runner, you have to modify parts and exercise some self control with brass add-ons. Mr. Herman, I think it is too late for all of us. Yah.
regards,
Painless

[Dr Phibes]

Very nice work Painless, I have those Schumo periscope guards too and they are much better than the overly thick Mato parts. I love what you done there with the underside periscope/hatch detailing too, that's going to look great when the hatches are open (and I freely confess I may well copy! ). Just wondering, what are the leather pads you refer to though (excuse my ignorance of these matters )?

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, Doc,
The quarter moon shaped black leather pads were installed on the undersides of the Driver and Radiomans hatches to prevent head injuries. They are standard on the newer large hatch design of the M4A3 Sherman which is why it was surprising to find them missing on photos of the M36B1( which uses the M4A3 Lower hull ) The M10 hull hatches are also missing any leather padding. Interesting...
regards,
Painless

[c.rainford73]

As always good stuff Mr Painless

[PainlessWolf]

Last night was Laundry Night so I had little time to pursue detailing the M36B1. I did get enough time to file down the face of the headlight leds to fit a couple of neat lenses. I usually prefer Tamiya lenses for this but had ordered these new types last year. They have a chrome backing and look just like real light covers but some prep must be performed to have them work with back lighting. I was going to sand the chrome off but this would have left me with just a plastic lens ( ala Tamiya ) I decided to drill out a bulb space in the center of the backing that goes into the clear area. If I am right, once it is lit by the led behind it, it should act like a bulb in a car lamp and illuminate the rest of the clear lens. I'll see when I test. The back, red leds will get paint on the right hand lamp to make it into the standard rear blackout\convoy configuration once I am doing the detail paint. Pics:

[Ludwig von wigbearer]

The lenses look great, a big improvement on the standard lamp.

regards john.

[HERMAN BIX]

Certainly makes the front look.
How is working with metal medium as to plastic ?

[PainlessWolf]

John, I'm crossing my fingers that they perform as I hope since they really do look good on the fixtures. Herman, I bought a Tamiya Diamond File to work with brass. It does a great job on this mystery metal as well. No issues drilling where needed tho' the standard Pin Vise drill bits are only used to make starter holes for the carbon tipped ones. To make up for the small amount of work performed yesterday, a great deal more detailing was done up tonight. ;o) Pics:

[Dr Phibes]

Some great work here Painless, and very informative (for me at least) too! I was wondering what was meant to be stowed on those racks on the rear of the turret - I Didn't think of the obvious of course, spare M.2 barrels (lucky for me I got one or two left over from the Tamiya sprues I pillaged for my M.2, I just need to source those shackles now! ). The leather pads on the hatches look good too, give a much more substantial and detailed look I think.

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, Doc,
Thank you, Sir. The real fun is coming as bits and bobs I have found for the turret interior start to show up. MATO has not left an inordinate amount of room to work with and I don't want to cut the turret floor apart to give the partial turret basket effect. Hopefully I can give the impression of a full turret at a glance when the TD is running without it's crew cover. All of these various detail bits I have added should come together with paint and slight weathering. ( I like my tanks Depot fresh! Or at least as close as field expedient as possible )
regards,
Painless