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M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 6:26 pm
by Snipermadrid
Hello everyone from to Spain!
Here I begin this post about my beginning of construction and modification of the Tamiya Sheridan Display model.
My working basing myself on the lmcq11post build and the little modifications for build version of this last Sheridan.
I started with a detailing with the photo-etched parts that I acquired for this model from Voyager Models.
These were the general detailing kits of the upper surface of the hull and turret, the wheels that come with the ammunition boxes also in photo-etched parts and the cannon, not acquiring the kit that has the metal mesh as it is a Vietnam version.
M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Sun Jul 21, 2024 8:03 pm
by Snipermadrid
More Photos of detail parts and desing parts for actualitation and detailed.
The next step is printed the parts to see how they look in their location as in the real vehicle and see if I have to make any modifications to the design of the file.
The next step once this is done is to make the modifications that my colleague lmcq11 made in his version of Vietnam, since it seemed to me to be very timely and well managed both at the execution level and in the matter of adaptation of the gearbox as well as the electronics and the damping system that he added to counteract this excess weight.
I hope like the working and the photos.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2024 12:19 am
by BarryC
The brass details really dress it up!
Nice work.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2024 3:07 am
by Herr Dr. Professor
What fine work, Snipermadrid! I will be watching each post and learning what I can. The M551A1 Sheridan does not seem to get much attention, so you have made a superb choice.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2024 9:32 am
by Snipermadrid
BarryC wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2024 12:19 am
The brass details really dress it up!
Nice work.
Thanks BarryC
When you have a beginning you already know, the end is further away but I hope it will soon be finished for its presentation to society.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2024 9:40 am
by Snipermadrid
Herr Dr. Professor wrote: ↑Mon Jul 22, 2024 3:07 am
What fine work, Snipermadrid! I will be watching each post and learning what I can. The M551A1 Sheridan does not seem to get much attention, so you have made a superb choice.
Thanks so much Herr Dr. Professor!
The choice was logical and premeditated, since it will be the companion of the M60A2 StarShip that I am also making together with an M60A3 TTS and that I will have accompanied by the M113A2 ACAP from Andy's Modeller.
The following steps are a little more complicated and tedious, such as the adjustment of the shock absorbers, the finalization of the details of the dome of the vehicle head and its motorization, which I will base on what I learned from the post of the colleague "lmcq11" whom I will ask shortly for support on information on how he did it and learn from his experience.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Mon Jul 22, 2024 1:44 pm
by Herr Dr. Professor
"M113A2 ACAP from Andy's Modeller": Andy Klein had the test model of this at the International Plastic Modelers' Society National Convention this past week. I did not think I was going to order one, but when I saw it... Oooh! The interior detail got me hooked.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:22 am
by lmcq11
Nice build,
Ah yes i remember the two molded-on fake shock absorbers under the gearbox at the rear. I was so annoyed. I could not believe Tamiya did that, especially when the chassis needed a real shock absorber to support the weight of the gearbox and remain horizontal.

- Tamiya 1/16 M551
- IMG_1953.JPG (1.46 MiB) Viewed 1925 times
I had to replace them both with new ones carved out of WPL pick-up truck shock absorbers. The fake ones were grinded and the WPL body were glued in place as the room available is very limited. The body does not swivel but the absorber arm and spring inside provide enough lift and mouvement for the suspension to operate normally.

- Tamiya 1/16 M551
- IMG_1975.JPG (1.53 MiB) Viewed 1925 times
Requiring some adaptations for the linkup with the suspension arm.

- Tamiya 1/16 M551
- IMG_1987.JPG (1.53 MiB) Viewed 1925 times
Someone with more skills can do a much better integration but this simple and cheap upgrade did the job and made the chassis flat. That area is dark and does not show much from the outside when the tracks are on.

- Tamiya 1/16 M551
- IMG_1990.JPG (1.5 MiB) Viewed 1925 times

- Tamiya 1/16 M551
- IMG_1994.JPG (1.43 MiB) Viewed 1925 times
Regards, Louis
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 6:36 am
by Snipermadrid
lmcq11 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 23, 2024 12:22 am
Nice build,
Ah yes i remember the two molded-on fake shock absorbers under the gearbox at the rear. I was so annoyed. I could not believe Tamiya did that, especially when the chassis needed a real shock absorber to support the weight of the gearbox and remain horizontal.
IMG_1953.JPG
I had to replace them both with new ones carved out of WPL pick-up truck shock absorbers. The fake ones were grinded and the WPL body were glued in place as the room available is very limited. The body does not swivel but the absorber arm and spring inside provide enough lift and mouvement for the suspension to operate normally.
IMG_1975.JPG
Requiring some adaptations for the linkup with the suspension arm.
IMG_1987.JPG
Someone with more skills can do a much better integration but this simple and cheap upgrade did the job and made the chassis flat. That area is dark and does not show much from the outside when the tracks are on.
IMG_1990.JPG
IMG_1994.JPG
Regards, Louis
Hello and Good Morning from to Spain!
Thanks Louis for these photos of detailed your mounting shock absorber assembly, do you have any photos of the modification process for this? And another question is how you attached it to the chassis. Glued?? screwed??
Thanks a lot Louis.
Re: M551A1 TTS Sheridan
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2024 7:35 am
by Meter rat
Exquisite. The one word says it all.