ksoc

Love all the detail. Can't wait to see it with some paint on it.

Most members in our club run at least one Sherman. Never heard of the idler being a big problem. My son and I have been running our Sherman for over four years, and the idler has yet to act up. When I build another Sherman I will probably try the idler upgrade, but would not consider it a 'must have' upgrade.

Panther F

Thanks everyone for the positive replies! I'm currently working on the inside of the tank getting it rolling on it's own.

Kevin, I believe the Tamiya stock idlers work great but will in time fail, especially if they are subjected to the heavy metal tracks and conditions of an outdoor battlefield. They are just plastic wheels rotating over the cheap white metal/pot metal axles. I cannot find the picture, but Dana Lowell actually had one that the axle was so severely grooved it kept loosing it's tracks from the sloppiness of the idler assembly.



Daryls parts are engineered to not only incorporate bearings, but they are concealed inside the assembly so that they are not exposed to the elements.



Or, the IMPACT offering by using your own wheels or their cast metal wheels still have bearings that will out-perform the stock system.



If your spending this much on a tank and spending this amount of time building one the idler upgrade to me is a must have.

TexasSP

I have never understood why Tamiya in so many of there RC kits have some aversion to bearings. It is also a major issue in the Hi-Lift kits which sell for 4-600 dollars as well. Most every high end RC kit and/or RTR sold today incorporates sealed ball bearings in all major drive train components.

BTW, very nice work on the Sherman! I am watching this thread ecstatically.

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

With metal track I would agree and idler upgrade is reasonable, however I have 4 Shermans and all are stock idlers and tracks and I have had NO issues. My original Sherman and the USMC variant are 4 and 5 years old, run constantly, abused by many and are still smiling. My only suspension problem has been the occasional bogie assemble coming loose, and one return roller vanished on my M4A1.

This is merely a note to all aspiring Sherman-aholics out there... I know the Tamiya Sherman is the the wrong make, model, and suspension, but the HVSS is a well engineered HVSS and let's hope the "Mato/Heng Long" VVSS will even compare in durability and engineering.




http://web.mac.com/ethandunsford/DAK...2976_HVSS.html

http://web.mac.com/ethandunsford/DAK...c_Sherman.html

http://web.mac.com/ethandunsford/DAK..._The_Mood.html

http://web.mac.com/ethandunsford/DAK...refly_Ic_.html

Panther F

Yup, my first Tamiya tank is the Sherman, built in 2004 and many battles and run time on it.

Still has the stock idlers on it with the stock tracks too. I just went over to it and tugged on the idler wheels and they look fine.

Panther F

Well I have just about put the wrap on this one. All that's left are the tools, headlamps and clean up the pigment on the lower half.

















Still undecided on markings but that will be the last thing left to do. Sorry for the horrible photography but it's the last I'll bore everyone with this build.

pcomm1

Enjoyed your build very much, great results! John

hdbeast

Very nice Sherman build Jeff, and you didn't bore me one bit. What's on your bench to build next?

Gary

Panther F

This right here:

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/...eviewcs_1.html

Already have the WECOHE steel rimmed wheels for the last station, the road wheels made for the WECOHE Panther G and other goodies. May or may not paint it as the box art shows.

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

Well done, you know how I feel about all Shermans but this one was made with a little extra love. Let's see it in battle before too long!

Panther F

My 2 favorite tanks are the Sherman and the Panther. I have a third Sherman sitting in the closet yet to be built and plan to at least have 5 or 6 of them sooner or later and 3 or 4 Panthers as well.

Thanks for all the kind words guys! This has been an experience ever since I saw these at Camp Atterbury.

YHR

Wow, you really went all out in this build. Ultimately you have created a Sherman that looks great, and I imagine performs every bit as good as it looks.

May be the nicest HVSS tank I have seen.

Can you give me more information on how to get hold of the fellow who supplied you the the Muzzle brake. I will be adding the Heng Long T23 turret to my Tamiya Sherman and need to source out this Muzzle break. My apologies if it is hidden in the text already. I got the guys name, but I was hoping for alittle more then that.

Thanks

Panther F

PM sent.

Panther F

Oops, missed this question! Sorry Gary.

I have a very late Tamiya Panther G and another Sherman, but this is an M4A3 VVSS that I am currently working out all the bugs on.



- Jeff

BiggTony

Geez, that's some mighty finecraftsmanship. Even more of a reason to take a long vacation from the forums.

yellowshaker

My Feedback: (1)

Jeff, you did an amazing job on that build. I have a special place in my heart for Shermans of all kinds.
I look forward to seeing more brother.

volvospeed

This is one of the nicest Shermans i´m ever seen. Very great built

Onlyst thing are the "Achsabstützung" i used this at the three of my Shermans too and they are not good. The Hole in there are a bit to small, after an While the Axles is getting very hot and burned with the shaft together. Better you use some ballbearings ( from rollerskaters are fit )

Panther G

Yeah baby, that's what I'm talking about. Sweet job Jeff. I'm gonna make a Jumbo out of mine. Got a FO Sherman upper hull ordered. just got to get the turret mechanics worked out with the Mato Turret.

edoubleaz

My Feedback: (1)

I have a few ideas on that.

http://web.mac.com/ethandunsford/DAK...eja-Vu.html#29

yellowshaker

My Feedback: (1)

I just went through that build. That is one mean looking Sherman!Ah man...now I want one!!!

Eddyk

Fantastic job done here!

frijoles108

Thats awesome!! I love the documentation of the build!