Sherman II

[blimp]

Hi folks
I have for a while fancied an early M4 . Of course no such RTR exists . . .
However I finally succumbed and decided to scratch the itch .

P1157696.JPG (1.7 MiB) Viewed 1882 times

* This hull came from the depths of the stash ( before these were discontinued OK ,so don't shoot me!)

P1207697.JPG (1.74 MiB) Viewed 1882 times

The whole hull forward of the turret ring needs reprofiling , small hatches added.

P1287708.JPG (464.22 KiB) Viewed 1882 times

- Resin Tranny over , with new flanges - (there were not enough bolts )

P1287713.JPG (951.71 KiB) Viewed 1882 times

P1287706.JPG (562.41 KiB) Viewed 1882 times

Suspension surgery -

P2037720.JPG (482.45 KiB) Viewed 1882 times

cut lines.JPG (1.59 MiB) Viewed 1882 times

P2037726.JPG (707.74 KiB) Viewed 1882 times

Progress !
B.

[blimp]

happy the suspension still works I thought I'd cheat a little and save some work . . .

P2037728.JPG (603.97 KiB) Viewed 1867 times

P2037729.JPG (877.75 KiB) Viewed 1867 times

P2037731.JPG (1.71 MiB) Viewed 1867 times

Next - the wheels
TTFN. B.

[ColemanCollector]

The old Mato hull, nice! And some RTV mold work, too? I'm watching!

Mike.

[MonsieurTox]

That's great ! What metal did you use to cast the bogies ? What's your process ?

[blimp]

Hi Mike , yes , the upper hull is Mato . The lower half is HL .
MonsieurTox - the castings are low temp white metal ( on offer too )The Silicon came from 4D Model shop. I used to use Sylmasta but they discontinued it. Basically the same process as resin casting .
Talking of which - I have been converted to more modern means to get things made , Our local club 3d wizard has been 'tinkering' on my behalf. More anon . . .

[blimp]

Back to some mogelling , chopping and changing the tiurret into an early low bustle type .

P1207701 - Copy.JPG (1.16 MiB) Viewed 1832 times

And a '34 gun mount .

P1287717.JPG (838.13 KiB) Viewed 1832 times

. . . With elevation / recoil servo mounts .

1.JPG (756.3 KiB) Viewed 1832 times

4.JPG (1.26 MiB) Viewed 1832 times

P1287718.JPG (1.73 MiB) Viewed 1832 times

Next , the sand shields . . .

B.

[blimp]

Bish,bash,bosh -

P2207751.JPG (1.75 MiB) Viewed 1825 times

Bertram rails as well .

P2207756.JPG (1.64 MiB) Viewed 1825 times

Coming along now .

[MonsieurTox]

Hi Mike , yes , the upper hull is Mato . The lower half is HL .
MonsieurTox - the castings are low temp white metal ( on offer too )The Silicon came from 4D Model shop. I used to use Sylmasta but they discontinued it. Basically the same process as resin casting .
Talking of which - I have been converted to more modern means to get things made , Our local club 3d wizard has been 'tinkering' on my behalf. More anon . . .

Thanks mate ! I was wondering as I am casting Sherman bogies right now, but using resin. I would love to give it a try but is not white metal too soft ? (would like to do the suspensions arms too). I'm puting brass rods in my resin to get them stronger.

Great job on the turret ! Been there too, filling the hatch, making the low bustle... That's a lot of work !

Awesome brass mud guards ! Going to be a fantastic Sherman !

[blimp]

Lol , Yes MonsieurTox Shermans are a right rabbit hole . As for white metal , it is generally stronger than plastic , if You want something stronger , say , zinc/mazak how about these -
https://www.forgebeartanks.com/store/p5 ... _Tank.html
I am using the HL plastic arms , no problems at all and cheap to replace

[blimp]

Roundy bits -
A while back i was chatting with my local club 3d printer Guru about early M4's , like ya do , and Lo !

P2297757.JPG (97.59 KiB) Viewed 1790 times

- Dimensions are based on the real thing - his files are 1:1 and resize to whatever scale required
I drilled and bushed them with brass tube . Then sleeved the idlers with thin wall aluminium tube to take pairs of roller bearings.
- Thus a straight swop for the adjustable metal Idler set
And that wasn't all !
Yet more goodies mysteriously appeared -

P3277781.JPG (1.72 MiB) Viewed 1790 times

P3277786.JPG (1.66 MiB) Viewed 1790 times

T41 track pads to replace the metal chevron T74 types-

P3277787.JPG (1.7 MiB) Viewed 1790 times

- A couple of evenings with a pin punch , vice and some care needed here.
linky - viewtopic.php?t=35799
All the best , B.