M4A3 Sherman detailing
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2018 7:43 am
I upgraded HengLong Sherman M4A3.
This HengLong Sherman seems to be copying and expanding Tamiya's little old 1/35 MM Sherman (105 mm Howitzer) model. So the deformed and mold expressions that is still acceptable as 1/35 scale, and also some modeling mistakes parts are all exactly expanded. Perhaps manufacturers do not want to cost too much on the 1/16 scale, but not only HengLong but even TAMIYA are supposed to have expanded their 1/35 scale.
I introduced BEIER-Electronic 's USM- HL2 sound board and converted BB spec to barrel recoil, but the appearance of this tank is still like TOY. For the beginning, I did making grab handle, periscope guard, and commander's hatch back etc.
Besides this there are at least two parts that I have to correct in this HengLong Sherman. The first is a thin linear mold around the five flued filler armored cover caps on the engine deck. Certainly the old Tamiya 1/35 MM Sherman model has a similar mold. But in a real tank this is a cap hinge and a lock bar, and in the recent 1/35 Sherman model it is properly molded. This mold was scraped off, and this hinge part was rebuilt with 3 mm square plastic material and brass wire.
The second is the guard of the headlights and rear lights. It is clear for everyone that this is completely overscale as the 1/16 scale. Since the light guard of a real tank is made of strip rolled steel, it is not thick like this. I soldered the brass strip and recreate it.
Furthermore, since sand shield attachment at the lower side has been omitted, I added it with a brass strip with holes. The casting number inherent in the Sherman tank was also added by ABER 1.5mm Numbers. (Despite this being expressed in the 1/35 scale model, it is omitted on the HengLong 1/16 scale.) Since the bogie bracket cap (bogie bottom fastener) at the bottom of the VVSS suspension is omitted, I added the MengModel plastic screw. I also added a tow rope and holder frequently seen in real tank photographs. Although it is a little fine, I added a chain to the machine gun of Tamiya after parts.
Mounted next to the headlight guard is the headlamp plug holder. The Sherman tank headlamp can be pulled out, it seems possible to replace it with a spare plug in this holder. I made this with a pipe.
In the latest 1/35 scale model, this headlight plug holder is also represented without omitting it.
This HengLong Sherman seems to be copying and expanding Tamiya's little old 1/35 MM Sherman (105 mm Howitzer) model. So the deformed and mold expressions that is still acceptable as 1/35 scale, and also some modeling mistakes parts are all exactly expanded. Perhaps manufacturers do not want to cost too much on the 1/16 scale, but not only HengLong but even TAMIYA are supposed to have expanded their 1/35 scale.
I introduced BEIER-Electronic 's USM- HL2 sound board and converted BB spec to barrel recoil, but the appearance of this tank is still like TOY. For the beginning, I did making grab handle, periscope guard, and commander's hatch back etc.
Besides this there are at least two parts that I have to correct in this HengLong Sherman. The first is a thin linear mold around the five flued filler armored cover caps on the engine deck. Certainly the old Tamiya 1/35 MM Sherman model has a similar mold. But in a real tank this is a cap hinge and a lock bar, and in the recent 1/35 Sherman model it is properly molded. This mold was scraped off, and this hinge part was rebuilt with 3 mm square plastic material and brass wire.
The second is the guard of the headlights and rear lights. It is clear for everyone that this is completely overscale as the 1/16 scale. Since the light guard of a real tank is made of strip rolled steel, it is not thick like this. I soldered the brass strip and recreate it.
Furthermore, since sand shield attachment at the lower side has been omitted, I added it with a brass strip with holes. The casting number inherent in the Sherman tank was also added by ABER 1.5mm Numbers. (Despite this being expressed in the 1/35 scale model, it is omitted on the HengLong 1/16 scale.) Since the bogie bracket cap (bogie bottom fastener) at the bottom of the VVSS suspension is omitted, I added the MengModel plastic screw. I also added a tow rope and holder frequently seen in real tank photographs. Although it is a little fine, I added a chain to the machine gun of Tamiya after parts.
Mounted next to the headlight guard is the headlamp plug holder. The Sherman tank headlamp can be pulled out, it seems possible to replace it with a spare plug in this holder. I made this with a pipe.
In the latest 1/35 scale model, this headlight plug holder is also represented without omitting it.
The guards are made thicker for strength, as finer plastic guards would break. 
