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M4A3 Sherman Build

Old 10-04-2014, 03:29 PM
  #1  
manchu9inf
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Default M4A3 Sherman Build

Well, i have decided to jump into a Sherman build, after building many German and Russian tanks, I figured after a long hiatus out of building a ground up build, i decided on converting the Tamiya Sherman with HVSS into a VVSS Sherman. I plan on doing an M4A3 75(W) as the tank i am going to build. I was motivated after being to Danville and seeing a couple of converted Shermans and discussing the process and getting a Sherman kit and a few other parts. So what did i need for this project, well here is a list of some of the parts:
Tamiya Sherman kit
Mato VVSS suspension
Heng Long Idler wheel
Mato tracks with duckbills
assorted schumo detail parts

First you have to mount the VVSS back plate to the hull, you have to file down 4 bolts heads as your bolt to the hull will need that space. You can actually use the 2 lower threaded points on the Tamiya lower hull but the upper 2 bolts will need to be drilled. To convert the VVSS you have to do some cutting, you have to cut the back of the VVSS part and then insert 2 screws to attach the unit to the hull. The return rollers holes i filled with Miliput. more to come
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Old 10-04-2014, 03:45 PM
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manchu9inf
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After mounting the back plates to the hull, it was time to work on the bogies. you have to cut the back portion of the bogies off and then insert 2 screws into the bogie to attach it to the hull. you have to use the back plate to mark the portion that needs to be cut off. after you cut that large rear portion off, you file it a bit to smooth the saw cuts and you insert the screw and mark the hull where your screws will be inserted. one you have that portion on the hull, i used miliput to fill in around the screw heads.

I thought the miliput oozed around the screws rather well and should have a strong hold to prevent them from coming lose. Once all dry I worked on hiding the hideous springs, what i ended up doing was drilling out the kit parts and sawing off the bottom and top to make them work. I think they came out looking pretty good.

Here are some pics of the completed bogies
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Old 10-04-2014, 04:01 PM
  #3  
manchu9inf
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I was able to get some work done today, and mounted the bogies, gearboxes, differential covers and transmission cover, and the drive sprockets, The lower hull is now almost complete. I need to finish the rear hull and mount the idlers. The idlers are going to require a little bit of work and i may have to contract that work out!

hopefully more will come tomorrow.
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Old 10-04-2014, 04:13 PM
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Green Amphibian
 
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Looking good! The idlers aren't that hard if you take your time and keep everything straight.

Herman
Old 10-04-2014, 04:28 PM
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Sweet... I got the popcorn in front of me and I am watching.




Jeff
Old 10-04-2014, 05:30 PM
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ksoc
 
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I've have most of the same parts on my bench, plus Nick A's Jumbo conversion. I will be watching this!
Old 10-05-2014, 03:44 PM
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Looks good!
Are you interested in getting rid of any of the HVSS parts?

Terry
Old 10-05-2014, 05:36 PM
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manchu9inf
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What HVSS parts do you want? the idlers were cannibalized and the spring covers were also used. let me know what you want.
Old 10-06-2014, 05:48 AM
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I'm looking for idlers (sad face) and the hub covers. I need the three "C" parts sprews.

Thanks
Terry
Old 10-06-2014, 02:07 PM
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manchu9inf
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Originally Posted by paintjockey
I'm looking for idlers (sad face) and the hub covers. I need the three "C" parts sprews.

Thanks
Terry
hey send me a pm and you can what i am not using.
Old 10-10-2014, 12:59 PM
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manchu9inf
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well, some progress was made on the turret this past week, the first pic has the parts i am going to use for the main gun. most of the metal parts are Heng Long parts and through test fitting them seem they will work well. I had to modify the front of the tamiya turret by cutting off the extruding piece of plastic and add a little groove in each upper corner. I then glued the mantlet on and added milput to the inside to help hold the mantlet on and pushed it through the gaps on each end to seal it closed. I added the the smoke grenade launcher on the left side with a piece of brass tubing and then a small strip of miliput around that. Once that was done, i worked on adding the cast in extra armor on the right side cheek of the turret. Once again miliput came into play. i added a small strip of plastic at the bottom and miliput was added to represent the increased armor. I then painted the mantlet green and will continue to finish the trunion and install the main gun.
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Old 10-10-2014, 04:08 PM
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Good Job. I like what you are doing to this one.

Herman
Old 10-11-2014, 01:07 PM
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manchu9inf
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More work done today, the exhaust deflector was mounted and the new rear deck is in place. I think mounting the deflector lower gives a more accurate appearance for an M4A3 and no changes in the stock mounting of the hull.




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Old 10-13-2014, 07:02 AM
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Outstanding! I too ordered a Nick A Jumbo kit and am eagerly following this build. Thank you!
Old 10-13-2014, 07:10 AM
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Are you gonna kick out the back plate to the steeper angle the M4A3 had?
Old 10-13-2014, 07:49 AM
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I am not going to change the back plate, by the time i realized the differences between the kit and the actually tank, it was too late as i want to get this tank done before the next Danville meet on 7 NOV. I know the exhaust stacks and the rear hull door is wrong, but the deflector will cover most of it, and only a few people will actually know the differences. This is my first Sherman Build and first American tank at that, it has been a lot of fun researching this Sherman and building it, it won't be my last as I am planning another Sherman, an M4A1/76 with Nick's hull and turret, that will be more conducive to using the Tamiya kit, especially where the rear hull is concerned. The one thing i have not determined yet is the paint scheme, gotta think about that some more!
Old 10-15-2014, 05:41 AM
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Feel no shame sir, I love what you are doing. I am probably gonna produce a M4A3(w)76 VVSS and another Easy Eight and I have done the back plate 4 times now. It is a simple mod but I am a shermanohlic.
Old 10-15-2014, 06:42 AM
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manchu9inf
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I am curious as to how you did the mod to the back hull plate. I remember you having a few builds on here for Shermans. Are the pics on the DAK site or here?
Old 10-15-2014, 07:53 AM
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From the DAK site:

http://www.desertarmor.com/DAK_PROJECTS/JUMBO.html#19
Old 10-15-2014, 03:40 PM
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some work was done today, the idlers came back after getting a little work over from Daryl T. the original tamiya idler had the shaft cut off and a hole drilled through for the tamiya Tiger 1 axle that the idler will spin on. The Heng long idler had the brass bushing knocked out and two flanged bearings inserted for a smooth turn. lastly backing that up on the hull is another Daryl T part to keep it all tight. I will prime and mount the parts hopefully tomorrow night.
I also added the sand shield mounting brackets on to the hull. The picture i used as a reference. i was able to count 25 holes per side, i might be off by one or 2 holes, but it looks pretty good so far.

i also got Nick's rear deck mounted as well, this is a real nice piece. finally starting to look like a tank.
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Old 10-18-2014, 07:57 AM
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manchu9inf
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Default Brass



Nick's resin rear deck is installed; the gaps were filled and brass was added to enhance the detail. The idler wheel was painted and installed and this Sherman is coming along nicely. I also added some more milliput to the cheek armor on the turret, pics of that will come later.
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Old 10-18-2014, 09:26 PM
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Does a 'production' Sherman idler adjuster exist? With the number of Shermans being built & modeled I'm surprised to have never really seen one.

Tank looks great, nice detail work and going the extra mile to make this unique. Rekindling my Sherman intentions
Old 10-19-2014, 04:35 PM
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I have been working on an adjustable Sherman idler, but have not perfected it yet. Time, I wish I had more time.

Herman
Old 10-20-2014, 07:34 PM
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manchu9inf
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Herman,
i would be interested in that! the stock system leaves a lot to be desired.
Old 10-21-2014, 05:51 AM
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Herman, I would be as well....

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