Tommy Cooker, my a** I'll be providing cover for my allied brother with a big bad heavy that will no doubt turn your confused Tiger into a crockpot !!

No hard feelings RSEA, see you saturday morning !!

Hey Jeff, do you have contact info for Nick? I want to inquire about the barel and turret. It is the M23 correct? I think I'm going to go the HL/DBC route with my Mato Sherman.

Working out the kinks is part of the fun for me. If something doesn't work, try again. My custom rotor shields and mantlets are one part of the conversion process, but making the tow parts works has been a challenge. I think I finally have the best way to do it, and it is cheap too! PVC.

The same size PVC I bought for my clubs banner stand fits inside the rotor shield like a glove. I cut a section to fit, drill appropriate holes, and viola, smooth action!

Further details on the tools, I made straps from athletic tape and buckles from hobby chain. Time for primer!

Time to paint boys and girls. My intention is to make this tank match "Dorothy" pretty closely but with a few differences. I am trying a different mix of paints as Steve Zaloga tells us my trusty Testor's OD isn't quite right. I began with a base coat of Tamiya Red Brown and then sprayed Tamiya Field Grey over the entire vehicle. Next came Testors Acryl OD in the center of each panel to accomplish a more Preshaded look.

Tamiya clear used in and around the decals, and then Tamiya OD to paint out the stars and to act as a dark filter to blend the kit together. Tomorrow I will seal the vehicle and wash.

Looking good Ethan! Looking good! [sm=thumbs_up.gif]


- Jeff

Geeze Ethan, looks great...I need to start on my M-36 and make the corrections.....

WOW....

Don't know how you do it man....I need to get with you on this turret fix !

The texture effect came out very well on the turret. Any progress pics on the sealing and wash?


- Jeff

I confess when I paint I tend to lose my self and forget to take pictures. Think of it as mad Scientist! I can show the after pics on the SCAT battlefield.

Looks great! So how's it run? Any difficulties or is it like all your other Sherman builds...built to last?

Outsdanding Sherman.
Really great work,very nice detailing.
I too would like to know how it runs,any chance of a video?

Steve.

Runs great, only mechanical item is barrel depression. It isn't bad... just not perfect!

Looks like you guys had a great time at the SCAT battle. You did a nice job of photography, Deja-Vu looks real sweet.

How sturdy is that stock Mato suspension holding up??? Do you notice much of a difference with it out on the field? On my last firefly build I left the suspension stock for the simple reason its seems trouble free compared to the suspension I modded.

Yeah, I get on a roll and forget to take progress pics too. But hey, the Sherman looks great on the battlefield!


- Jeff

YHR

That suspensions are solid so far. I have battled the Firefly 4 times, Dorothy 3 times and they handle almost everything the HVSS can. Mine are bone stock with a backing plate added between the bogie truck and the hull. I add one extra link to each run to account for any differences in the mato and Tamiya hull.

One track had a marble sized rock stuck above the idler and didn't break.

So far I am more pleased than you can imagine! Thanks for the compliments. I am building this as a commission and it may be hard to give up!

Excellent Sherman, i'm about to build mine, and have been reading every build thread I can find.

I have seen Nick's gun and mantlet, how would I be able to get one of those excellent rotor sheilds you have?

Cheers,
Rik

Just saw your PM. I have one handy and will contact you directly.

I was wondering where you got the Tamiya parts for your conversion. Were they from kits you already had on hand or parts sprues you ordered. If the later is the fact, what supplier did you use. I know I'm asking alot, but could you also publish a parts list for the Sherman conversions. Thanks in advance and if it is already posted just point the way.

Jim

This Project was a part by part build with the components coming from all over. Not the most efficient way to build one of these but I will share if it helps.

MATO Sherman and VVSS components from RCTANKWARS
Tamiya metal hull and Plastic upper hull from JR-RC off Ebay
Tamiya Pershing Electronics from JR-RC
Metal 75mm barrel, Resin transmission cover and exhaust deflector from Nick Aquilar directly.
Tamiya 105mm turret left over from an easy eight project custom modified to 75mm with DAKs very own resin M34 Mantlet and Rotor shield.
Spare detail parts from my Parts box and a few Tamiya trees acquired off EBAY.
Gear boxes and hull components from a second hand Sherman off ebay.
Sherman speaker box from a trade with a club member.
Dx-5e radio and AR500 off craig's list acquired from a club member.
Tamiya machine gun bag, decals, and .50 cal machine gun from Finishline hobbies.
Metal elevation arm from ETO armor.
Scratch engine deck.
Battle System base bought from Tamiya online.
Emitter from Impact acquired in a trade.
Marking came from Tamiya decals and various dry transfers found at the local hobby shop.

I scavenged the MATO for several detail parts and scratch built the rest from brass rod, steel wire, aluminum tube, Taco Bell paper napkins, scale chain, and old Photo etch frets.

Check out the DAK website for the Projects page to see all these items in detail.

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