Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Hi all,
Most of you probably know that DAK co-founder and CO Ethan (edoubleaz) is pretty fanatical over the Sherman and all of it's variants. In fact in another current thread entitled NEW BUILD VOTE (http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_78...tm.htm#7800928)

He has asked for input on what he should build next a Sherman or a Sherman. So I threw down a challenge to him to build an Axis tank and I would build my first Allied tank, a Sherman M4A3 75 W to be exact.

For this build I'm starting with the Tamiya Full Option 105 kit and going to work to modify it to a 75mm in white wash from the Battle of the Buldge. The one concession, that seems is inescapable at this point is leaving the HVVS suspension. So this will be a more accurate "from the waste up" M4A3 75mm.

Plans so far include turret modifications to omit the extra ventilator found at the rear of the 105 turret. replacing the stock commander's cupola with a Nick Aguilar split hatch, new mantlet (possibly the rotor shield) and adding a new 75 mm turned aluminum barrel. Modified and more accurate pistol port and added cast texture.

Up on the nose the stock transmission cover will be replaced by a nice one piece affair, also from Nick. The rear end will get a new resin deck and photo-etched grille from Imperial Modelbau. The rear plate will be replaced with a more accuate plate at the proper angle. The stock kit part sit at an 80 degree angle, and the needs to be redone to sit a 66 degree angle, as well as some basic shape modification. The air cleaners will be replaced with a louvered air box. The exhaust will be flipped and relocated, as will the rear access door, it will be modified from a split two-door design to a single door and located higher on the rear plate.

I was able to convince Ethan earlier this year to do his Bovington Tiger 131, and I told him I would trade him my Panther G that I just completed (Panther G rebuild) for a new Sherman kit. Now I want to convince him to build an Axis vehicle from the ground up.

Here are a few pics of the M4A3 75mm that I'm planning sans the VVSS suspension, and mine will be in white wash

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Fun concept and should be a really interesting build off.

Axis tank recommend, my 2 cents:

DAK leadership should go on the bleeding edge of kit research and build the Tamiya Pz4 and maybe even back date it to a DAK variant and of course forum publish a photo heavy build journal for us all.

By the way, the kit is ready now to ship (off ebay) from Hong Kong for about $710 delivered (includes Paypal, air mail and insurance). If interested, anyone can email me off forum for kit contact & order info. ;)

John

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

You going to add the cheek armor plate too, depict the integrated cheek armor or leave it off? How about the loader's hatch? Leave it off or show a retrofit oval?

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

John,
I'm trying to get Ethan into any Axis tank, hopefully even another Pz III, as two of us are already working on them and another club member has a Bandai Pz IV. Ultimate plan is I would like to build a Pz IV, back-dated from the J to an Aufs D, which is my favorite tank of all time. I want to do it with the short barrel L24, 75mm. That conversion will take some serious cosmetic surgery, and with three tanks already in the hopper, will probably need to wait until the first of the year.

I'm currently working on converting a and HL Pz III, to the short barreled variant with Tamiya T1 electronics, I have yet to complete the WSN T-34 conversion to an SU-85 (I'm trying to get Ethan to finish that one) and now the Sherman. Most of my builds end up being pretty extensive and time consuming, (you might remember my Panther rebuild) so even if I had an extra grand to drop on the new Tamiya Panzer IV I don't think I could get it done much before the first of the year anyway. Plus Ethan and I are still the main builders of all of our battlefield elements, and we are still trying to constantly add to that. Sorry to dissapoint!

regards

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

James,
I was looking at both the cheek and hull applique' armor. But in all the research have done so far the hull armor was only used with the dry stowage. Since this is a 75 W (wet stowage) I was planning to add the cheek armor, as seen in the drawings, just forgot to mention it in my original post. Thanks for keeping me honest.

Truth is I hadn't thought about the loader's hatch. I'll have to check that one out, and probably end up with a retrofit oval. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Craig

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

The stock hatch will do nicely. Craig I do have a spare Driver / CO-Driver's hatch if you want to open one of yours.

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Ethan,
Thanks I'll chat with you about opening up the hatch, probably won't only because there is no need, I've already got the switches planned out and I'm not adding a charging jack. Thanks for the info on the stock loaders hatch. I consider you enough of an authority I'm comfortable with your recommendations................................... now about your Axis project (LOL)

Below are few pics of a 1/35th scale 76mm Sherman from the battle of the Bulge that I'm using as reference and inspiration for my winter white wash. It's no secret I like to beat up my tanks and add a lot of heavy weathering, if I can successfully pull this off in 1/16th I'll be happy

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

That's not heavily weathered looks like the one i saw in a scrap yard in Belgium LOL

should be a cool build;):D:D:D

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Bit of overkill on the weathering...looks like it's been in a fire or dead off the road for a few months.

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

DAK,

I understand completely, but to tempt matters, I have a good "off ebay" Hong Kong kit source that can deliver to the West Coast via PayPal the Tamiya Pz4 for $710.00 including air mail and insurance.

As for me, I am awaiting domestic GAO budget approval for the Tamiya Pz4, (I currently only get funding for one tank build per year, which parallels just how this country got into military trouble in 1941).

Anyway, I will follow your Sherman build with good interest, since I too want to build a tough old Battle of the Bulge Sherman to replace my "Almost an Easy 8", hopefully before the end of the decade.

Looking forward to both sets of Sherman build photos and I guess your partner decided to build another Allied tracked desert coffin, what a shame.:D

John

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

There were tanks with the cheek armor built into the turret rather then being added. That's what I was referring to.

The early production M4A3(75)Ws had built in cheek armor, split commander's hatch and small oval hatch. The pistol port was said to be deleted but from my research this means that it was cast in place and not made to open. They were high bustle turrets too!

Here's a pic of formations version:

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

fv432 and pattoncommander,
Thanks for sharing, you are both right - the amount of weathering on this model is more than a bit overstated and unrealistic. My goal will be to push my model that direction without going "too far" so to speak. I've never really liked the lighter "brushed or mopped on lime" look that you see so many modelers depict, that's more transparent with lots of underlying olive still showing through. It's probably not as historically accurate, but I prefer more of an opaque white wash with heavy chipping and staining. Those pics are going to be used as reference as opposed to an actual painting guide. I hope that makes sense!

regards!

Craig

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

John,
Thanks!

Believe me when I tell you that as soon as funds allow the Tamiya Pz IV Aufs D conversion will be the next project. But as I mentioned before I first have to get through at least the Sherman, and Pz III, as I will most likely shuttle the Su-85 off onto Ethan. The only other project I might consider would be a Sturmtiger, but since that makes less sense on the battlefield the IV it will most likely be. In fact just as soon as I sell my saltwater reef tank............................HHmmmmmm! Too many expensive hobbies (LOL)

Everything I currently own is Axis, and I wanted at least one Allied tank to be able to run either side when the need arises to even out team play during battle days. Not a big Sherman fan, but I really don't like the way the Pershing looks at all, so I'm stuck building the Sherman I dislike the least. As far as Ethan goes......................the boy just ain't right in the head ( I think he now has 5-6 running Shermans ). Now if we could just convince someone to come out with a 1/16th scale Crusader, now that would be NICE!

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

James,
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I'm planning on depicting the applique as opposed to the integrated cheek armor, just as it shows in the photos of my original post. The Formations resin turret you showed is very nice, they always do great work. I realize that has the integrated cheek armor but other than that, my tank should very closely resemble what in that photo. Thanks for sharing that!

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Hi all,
Finally got started on the Sherman tonight, using some of Nick A's resin parts I'm adding the split hatch, 75mm turned aluminum barrel and matching resin mantlet. In the small baggy are a few Shumo goodies as well, periscope guards, rear plastic plate, and metal resevoirs

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Still waiting on my wheel bearings to arrive, so I thought I would jump into the turret mods.

The rear ventilator was specific to the 105 howitzer so it needed to go. Careful grinding with a course bur bit in a Dremel motor tool worked just fine. To avoid a huge sink hole as the injection molded plastic cools Tamiya molds the ventilators with hollow relief from the underside. This means you end up with a 1/2" diameter hole where the ventilator once was, which obviously needs to be filled. I used styrene sheet fitted and glued with CA from the underside. Caution should be taken to preserve the surrounding detail, as well as maintain the compound angle where the high bussel meets the turret roof.

I also went to work on removing the commanders cupola. I wanted to preserve the original molded in rain guard, so this became a tedious task, but well worth the time spent. Using a razor saw to remove a large portion of the cupola first I finished with several size burr bits and drum sanding heads in the Dremel before moving on to filing and hand sanding. Part of the "flat roof" section directly around the new split hatch had to be re-fabricated to maintain a consistent spacing from the molded rain guard.

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Does the hatch rotate like the real one?

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

The mopped on whitewash was a very common color change and was, as you said, transparent with OD showing through. It's better that way, as the uneven coat and "dirt" showing, makes it easier to hide, and mopping the white over the tank is never looking like a union painter's job. I took it a step farther and used a "liberated" hospital sheet from the dispensary to wrap over the 90mm gun tube.
In winter with white on the tank, it will look very nasty in short order, just from climbing around on it with muddy boots. Of course the stuff collected from running through muddy streams etc adds to the muck. Adding white camo, got to keep the access areas, fuel fillers and fender areas mud-scuffed. Chipping and staining are from long contact with water and normally seen in museums or tanks that have been sitting for a long time, like rusty tracks.

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

James,
I have not yet attached the new cupola (split hatch ring) but the way it is designed it could easily be made to rotate like the real one. It has a lip of material that passes through the turret roof and hangs down into the interior of the turret. Because I refabricated the flat section of the turret roof lost during grinding I can now attach a simple collar to the underside and effectively capture or "pinch" the turret roof effectively creating a bearing surface, which would allow the ring to rotate freely without falling out.

I had actually planned on doing this, and I still plan to experiment with the idea. My only concern is that if I make it too tight (friction fit) all the vibration and stress may crack or break the resin, as Urethane resins are usually a lot more brittle than plastic. Make it too loose and the turret will spin and move freely while the tank is being driven, allowing the open hatches to possibly block incoming shots on the apple. More to follow!

Squid

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

pattoncommander
Well stated and duly noted. I'm going to try and walk the fine line between historical accuracy and artistic license. I know the mopped on lime white wash is more accurate and true to scale and I definitely don't see this as a stark white opaque finish. But I also like to make my tanks appealing and fun to look at. I personally like the "wow factor" when looking at someone else's work. And sometimes things just look cool.

Quite honestly I have a mental picture of what I believe this will look like, but until I have the airbrush in hand, I have no idea what the end result will truly be. I often work by eye as opposed to replicating photographs and reference material and I stop when I'm happy with the look, it's the part of the hobby I enjoy the most. Adding a hospital bed sheet would not be completely out of the question either. Stains, mud, chipping, and some strategically placed rust will round out the war wary veteran look.

Squid

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Either way, it's a lot of work, but ,when people look at it and you hear, "lookit that" and "Hey check this one out" all the work pays off.
For what it's worh, my sheet caper was with a 90mm gun on an M-47....wrap loose on the gun, fasten ends to the mantlet and turret lifting eyes and use a couple points on the gun to wrap some duct tape to hold small evergreen branches. Keep the gunner's sights and coax clear. One time I didn't have a camera with me, so no photos. My driver took a couple but never sent them to me. Another foliage decorated sheet across the bow to the ground completed my hide-a-way. Worked well enough for the CO to drive past my position twice and almost walked into the tank before he found it. :D Medics at the dispensary still weren't quite convinced that we found the sheets in a village. :eek:

Know what you mean about results as you go. Start with one idea in mind and before you get half way through, something else you did looks cool, so off in a new direction or idea. Makes model tank hobby interesting. ;)

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Good work squid, if the hatch does rotate from vibration a little piece of play-doh or silly putty should hold it in place and not be conspicuous.

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

Hi all,
It's been entirely too long since my last post (like 9 months), but this project got shelved for quite a while waiting on parts, as well as working on other projects. Well the other day I pulled out the box, dusted it off and got back at it.

Using a razor saw, motor tool, and files I removed the molded on mud guards of of each side of the upper hull. Then using .020 styrene I fabricated the attachment bars along the bottom edges of the upper hull. The pictures below show the before and after shots of that modification


More to come...............................

Squid

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

As promised here's a little further progress.

By removing the mud guards the inaccurate shape of the front fenders becomes even more apparent, so I attacked them next. I considered completely removing them and replacing them with new scratch built styrene ones, but thought if I modified the molded kit parts I would hopefully end up with a stronger fender. Once the fender was reshaped, I thinned it from the underside using a motor tool, to create a more realistic scale thickness. I will ultimately graft a replacement stiffening rib to the fender as it was lost during reshaping.

Thinning the plastic should help in the weathering process later, where the front fenders will get some dings, dents, and possibly holes added.

I took these pictures to show the reshaped and thinned front left fender, and the unmodified right kit fender for comparison.

Squid

RE: Accurized M4A3 (75) W
 

For no reason, other than I can - I usually like to open up hatches and deck lids wherever possible or feasible. DAK co-founder and Sherman fanatic, Ethan, happened to have a left over drivers hatch from a previous build project in which he destroyed the hull but save the molded on hatches. Armed with that little nifty detail I set about cutting and grinding away the drivers hatch.

Once the new hatch was fitted I drilled and pinned the hinge with small brass wire, added an internal lip made from styrene for the hatch to close against, and back filled around the hinge to give it a little resistance. Now the hatch can be posed open at any angle, but still also closes down tight against in internal ring or lip.

My plan is to put the on/off switch inside the now working driver's hatch.


Squid