Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Land => Topic started by: Kerick on August 04, 2015, 10:54:03 AM
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Inspired by Claymore's UCV on the extended service life GB, I'm embarking on an ambitious conversion of an Israeli M51 to a 25mm armed Urban Combat Vehicle. Here is the group pic of donors/victim kits. All but the M51 were in the stash already.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/413/19652621713_d3ef5aaf78_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/vWCPKp)
Concept is a insurgent war with fighting in city streets where modern tanks are too much firepower yet something tougher than a Bradley is required. A couple of retired Shermans are pulled out of museums and fitted with Bradley turrets and extra armor for field expedient testing. Claymore does a better job of laying out the details than me. http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2276.675 (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2276.675)
I'll do my version a little different. I'll keep the Bradley turret intact with perhaps the addition of ERA. The Sherman hull will get belly armor, additional glacis armor, extra side armor from the Bradley and ERA. Extra protection for the commander and gunner. I'll adapt what I can from the Bradley BUSK mods. Also some sort of mine plow, roller or dozer blade up front. If nothing else an adaptation of the hedgerow cutters into something that will push aside cars and barriers.
I'll try to keep up some progress on this but work is really busy and so is family stuff. When summer slacks off and child #3 goes back to college things might slow down and allow more modeling time. That's what I always say......
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Lots of good starting material. Will keep a watch on this.
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I'll be following this one closely.
Maybe instead of the mine plow/dozer blade, you could go with something like this?
http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20109 (http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20109)
Just some food for thought.
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and a lovely array of stuff it is
8)
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I'll be following this one closely.
Maybe instead of the mine plow/dozer blade, you could go with something like this?
[url]http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20109[/url] ([url]http://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=20109[/url])
Just some food for thought.
And tasty looking food it is! I'll be looking into this. If the kit is expensive it doesn't look to hard to replicate
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I'll be following this one closely.
Ditto
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You can never have too many Sherman conversion, that's what I say! ;)
I am most honoured that you are taking the concept of the UCV to the next level and thanks again for your support and suggestions during my own build - it was very much appreciated. Your plan sounds great and I am really looking forward to seeing how the project turns out. :)
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Thanks everyone!
This is my first Sherman build ever plus all the extra stuff so be very patient. Of course some prodding might be helpful once and a while. At least I have the paint plan worked out. I'm going to try the Berlin Brigade urban camo. That should be challenging enough!
You can never have too many Sherman conversion, that's what I say! ;)
I am most honoured that you are taking the concept of the UCV to the next level and thanks again for your support and suggestions during my own build - it was very much appreciated. Your plan sounds great and I am really looking forward to seeing how the project turns out. :)
After seeing your build progress I just had to try it myself. I will have to employ all my skills to match yours!
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Raining today so no yard work. Time for a little model building. ;D
Added some V shaped belly armor to help deflect IED blasts.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/517/20424345732_38d33baab0_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/x7Q7pW)IMG_1260 (https://flic.kr/p/x7Q7pW) by Ken Erickson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128586659@N07/), on Flickr
Plastic rod glued to the seams to look like welds. I filed the rod down after the glue dried and sanded it with 100 grit paper to look a little more like welds.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/319/20246346049_35d8f2fc1d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wR6PiT)IMG_1262 (https://flic.kr/p/wR6PiT) by Ken Erickson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128586659@N07/), on Flickr
So many wheels...........
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/460/20246356799_2787e12745_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wR6Sve)IMG_1261 (https://flic.kr/p/wR6Sve) by Ken Erickson (https://www.flickr.com/photos/128586659@N07/), on Flickr
And just getting started on road wheels. Already in a snag about paint colors. Should I paint the area below the fenders olive drab or sand to represent the color of the original vehicle or go Berlin Brigade all over? I'm leaning towards OD. The road wheels will be BB camo except for a couple in OD or sand to represent replaced parts.
I need to hit a model RR shop for some grant line bolts for the add on armor.
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Rain ? Must be nice, none here in Dallas for 30 days ! ???
The start looks good, am waiting to see the Berlin Brigade camo, always been a favorite of mine.
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Further research, (looking at tank pictures), has shown that the lower part of the tank in BB camo was left in the standard camo color of the time. Looks like this means OD for the road wheels and lower hull. Unless I go with sand. Crap....
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Further research, (looking at tank pictures), has shown that the lower part of the tank in BB camo was left in the standard camo color of the time. Looks like this means OD for the road wheels and lower hull. Unless I go with sand. Crap....
Most of the pictures and reference material I have on the Berlin Brigade camo scheme indicate that the road wheels and everything inside the tracks was painted black. That certainly seems the case for the Chieftain and the FV432 variants.
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The article I read mentioned the British color of the time which was bronze green. Since this is a Sherman I'm going with OD green. Once I buy some fresh paint and try again.
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Some progress! Bought some fresh Model Master OD #1911. Much better now.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/667/20184388564_7414827787_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wKCgvo)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5756/20618918650_9bf02c4301_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xq2maq)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/621/20184303714_6c53019a3b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/wKBQhs)
Painting the rubber on the road wheels next. The engine bay hatch from the Bradley should make a nice transmission cover on the Sherman.
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WOW !! That turret really fits well on the Sherman hull.
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Finished the new turret ring. Looks better now.
I need to order the bolt heads from Tichytraingroup.com and 0.040 hex rod from Plastruct.
Thanks for the positive comments. Keeps me going on these projects.
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WOW !! That turret really fits well on the Sherman hull.
My thoughts exactly! :)
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WOW !! That turret really fits well on the Sherman hull.
My thoughts exactly! :)
Nice - sure does :)
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Coming along nicely and should be a natural mate for the M4A3E8 UCV ;)
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I need to order hex rod and bolt heads and then I get to play with different shapes of armor panels.
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Finally past the road wheel stage! If someone invented an automatic road wheel painting machine I would buy it!
I added the track temporarily to make sure I had clearance for the extra side armor. Looks a little like an M113 at this angle.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5723/20805427858_18f7dc4f05_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xGvfRq)
Here is the Bradley hatch cover taped in place and a new armor panel for the front of the Sherman. Lots of these to go yet.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5742/20806567069_5e05b4cf05_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xGB6uZ)
The hatch cover needs some cutting down to make it look like it belongs there. 2mm strips provided the perfect spacing between the armor panel and the hull. More jigsaw pieces of armor to follow.
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Sherman build is absolutely on track :)
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Sherman build is absolutely on track :)
Well, at least one track! Much work to do.
Thanks
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Looking good :)
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Really coming along nicely. This is going to be awesome when all is said and done. Can't wait for the next update.
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This is coming along very nicely. :)
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I ordered the boltheads from Tichy Train Group on 8/31 and they arrived today. And that was "standard" shipping. I ordered product number 8085 and they look like a perfect match for the bolts on the Bradley armor. Price was reasonable too. I'll be using them again!
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Tried out the bolt heads and they work pretty well. Applied some non slip coating to the upper hull using Rustoleum American Accents Terra Cotta spray paint. Pics will follow as the cell phone battery died.
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Now for a real update!
Here's the non slip coating applied to the top of the hull.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/782/21047018699_357c79efe6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/y4RtoK)
Here's the top view.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5695/20611175194_6646df2cc4_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xpkEiy)
Bolts in place.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/694/21223417092_3436424990_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ykryum)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5684/21223409432_02d16ca80c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/ykrwdh)
This is a box to hold TOW reload rounds. The black is part of a ship base that I cut off at a distance that seemed reasonable to hold several TOW missiles. Plastic sheet was glued to two sides and I sanded the edges flush. I made a hatch with hinges from the Bradley kit and a spring that was rolling around the benchtop. I attached one of the Sherman kit storage boxes and the field phone box to the rear. I may add a Sherman road wheel to the sides later. I need to add some non slip coating to the top of this.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/695/21045717260_9715668e71_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/y4JNw9)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5635/21045907738_3ef3d1b134_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/y4KM9f)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/627/20612679823_5fa69be850_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xptnzr)
I dithered around about the headlights and such and finally decided to use the modern ones from the Bradley. The kit includes the newer M2A2 units and the original type. I used the original ones and attached them M113 style.
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/607/20611118964_9e84ed7a5d_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xpknA5)
Still a lot to do to get to the painting stage. I have to build the battering ram or mine clearing device yet.
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I like it, and it looks cool.
Did you have any problems using the textured spray paint? I have never used it before, so I don't know the pitfalls.
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Awe inspiring! That terracotta paint is the best. So useful.
The storage box has all the right details. And the bolt heads on the added armor really look good.
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Coming along very nicely. I haven't come across the terracotta paint before - might have to get some. :)
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I like it, and it looks cool.
Did you have any problems using the textured spray paint? I have never used it before, so I don't know the pitfalls.
I can't remember where I first heard about using the terra cotta paint. It might have been Armorama. Its really easy to use. Just mask off where you want it then spray straight from the can. Then paint over it with the regular camo colors. Best if you apply it before you add detail parts. Check photos of your subject. Its meant to go where soldiers would walk on the vehicle. I saw a photo of an LAV where it had been worn through to the metal. The paint is easy to get at hardware and home improvement stores. It might have a different name outside the US.
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Here is just a few of the pieces I've been finiggling with to put together a battering ram.
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5627/20751789294_d985c8665e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/xBLkYA)
End result
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/776/21186609368_bb53c3f802_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yhbUQq)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/632/21363674532_1678d74b79_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yxQq95)
Knock, knock. Who's there?
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5758/21363671582_4f8d580dee_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yxQpgd)
Good place for a couple of road wheels
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/723/21187558409_c1b0f388a1_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/yhgLXc)
The ram plastic is gray as the parts came from a ship kit.
I need to finish the details on the turret and see about some BUSK mods.
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Lookin' mighty fine! :)
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Claymore, thanks for the comments!
I'm considering this pattern or something like it for a paint scheme.
http://media.wix.com/ugd/279ff1_4f5468b52e5943cabec26863f36e9808.pdf (http://media.wix.com/ugd/279ff1_4f5468b52e5943cabec26863f36e9808.pdf)
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Methinks thou needst ane bigger engine, mate! :o
Bloody 'Ell! Only thing going to stop that is an engine break down! ;)
Very cool! 8)
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Hopefully the lighter Bradley turret makes up for the weight of the extra armor! Urban combat means it will spend more time on pavement and not sink into soft ground off road.
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Claymore, thanks for the comments!
I'm considering this pattern or something like it for a paint scheme.
[url]http://media.wix.com/ugd/279ff1_4f5468b52e5943cabec26863f36e9808.pdf[/url] ([url]http://media.wix.com/ugd/279ff1_4f5468b52e5943cabec26863f36e9808.pdf[/url])
Can't wait to see it finished and sporting its urban 'Berlin Brigade' cam. :)
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I'm going to have to grit my teeth and break out the airbrush for this. I can't slobber up all those bolt heads by brush painting! I may have to fudge some of the masking to keep the masking tape off the bolt heads and other details. I should have waited with some of the little parts.
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An article I read on the Berlin Brigade cammo said the pattern was +- 18 inch squares with some square butting up to each other. 18 inches in 1/35th = darn near 1/2 inches RW. Now to find a roll of 1/2 inch tape. The lower part of the Bradley side armor is really close to 1/2 inch too. This will make things simpler.
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Looking forward to seeing this one painted up, and in such an interesting scheme, too!
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A pattern like this http://media.wix.com/ugd/279ff1_4f5468b52e5943cabec26863f36e9808.pdf (http://media.wix.com/ugd/279ff1_4f5468b52e5943cabec26863f36e9808.pdf) might look good around the exposed part of the basement wall of the house. Make the concrete blocks look like other than concrete blocks.
Of course I doubt SWMBO would approve.......
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Sorry no pics. I just wanted to let folks know I am still working on this one. Painted the off white and gray a few days ago. I had to use rattle cans as I can't find my airbrush!!!! :banghead:
I know its been quite a while since I last used it but gee whiz! Getting old and a bad case of CRS, Can't Remember Stuff!! :banghead:
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Ah, welcome to my world! ;)
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Good excuse to buy a new airbrush. It would spit drops of paint on whatever I was painting anyway.
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Had to resort to Pactra gloss grey spray can and then Krylon Ruddy Brown primer. This was like masking 10 canopies. Many touchups still needed but its much closer to being done!
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/602/23026793306_4049f796ca_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/B5NkpG)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5798/22660604719_8713700925_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Awrwin)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5647/23026803366_7a7394d12c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/B5Nop9)
(https://farm1.staticflickr.com/757/23039295172_03ecdfaa9f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/B6UpM7)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/23026815616_4e6d232e87_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/B5Ns3m)
Trying to get tape to lay down over those bolts was a real PITA. I think I will add some of the ID panels from the Bradley kit.
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Lovely camo! :-* And work well, too. Seems to blend right into the background of your workbench. ;D
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Very cool!
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I should take some city scape pics and play around with photoshop
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I like the colors, not ones often seen on AFVs.
Good thinking!
Brian da Basher
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Agree - "I like the colors, not ones often seen on AFVs."
They mess with vision to point of: I see it but what the hell am I looking at? Can't discern what it is.
You are welcome to keep on converting Shermans. Am liking them all. :)
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Thanks for the kind comments. I wasn't sure how this would turn out but I'm happy with it. Glad to hear others like it!
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This is looking great. Your build reminds me of some Sherman tanks that were converted with the Bradly turret in a hypothetical Soviet invasion series I have read.
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Well that works fine
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Great stuff and lookin' good! :)
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This is looking great. Your build reminds me of some Sherman tanks that were converted with the Bradly turret in a hypothetical Soviet invasion series I have read.
What's the name of that series? Sounds interesting.
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This is looking great. Your build reminds me of some Sherman tanks that were converted with the Bradly turret in a hypothetical Soviet invasion series I have read.
What's the name of that series? Sounds interesting.
I will post a link to the two books in it tonight. I have them on my kindle.
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This is an outstanding build! You've managed to modernize a Sherman without completely obliterating its lines. Very believable upgrade.
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This is looking great. Your build reminds me of some Sherman tanks that were converted with the Bradly turret in a hypothetical Soviet invasion series I have read.
What's the name of that series? Sounds interesting.
Here are the two books he has. No idea when book three will be out.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=total+war+r+w+grossman&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Atotal+war+r+w+grossman (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=total+war+r+w+grossman&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Atotal+war+r+w+grossman)
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Thanks for the comments. Did a little touching up today. Time to start adding the fiddly bits.
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Between Christmas and tiny bits there is not much visible progress. This is just to let folks know I haven't abandoned it!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1703/23642096114_b63b825573_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/C2aVuN)IMG_0007[1] (https://flic.kr/p/C2aVuN)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1493/24187802961_0acfa368b7_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CRoP8x)IMG_0008[1] (https://flic.kr/p/CRoP8x)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1544/24270381765_902cddef5b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CYG3W2)IMG_0009[1] (https://flic.kr/p/CYG3W2)
I've added a couple of BUSK detail like the antennas and armored windows.
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Good to hear. Is worthy project,,, would not want it abandoned.
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I mixed some grey/gray and black to get an acceptable shade for the road wheels and track pads. Track painting has begun. Because I'm tired of putting little tiny parts on the turret.
How many shades of rust are there? ;)
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Looking good ... glad that you're proceeding :)
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Tracks! We have tracks!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1646/24285164221_0b51b21ee9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CZZPeX)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1600/24259406942_5686f6b19b_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CXHNuW)
I'll apply some further weathering to tone it down later. Half the colors on this build are gloss so some dull coat will help.
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Tracks are too darn good. :)
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Two shades of brown and silver dry brushing on the treads. Once I dull coat the whole thing I'll and some dust and dirt. Not too much mud and slop as it's supposed to be operating in urban streets.
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This is a gem :)
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I was futzing around with the left over parts from the Academy Bradley last night (instead of actually assembling stuff) when I noticed on the G sprue next to the place where it says Academy etc there was 10 bolt heads and 10 bolt with nut molded on the sprue. Nice surprise! Same size as the ones on the add on armor. I wish I had noticed these earlier! I'll be saving them for the next tank project.
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I think I finished fiddling around with all the bits that go on the outside of this contraption. Sprayed on some dullcoat so i'll see how that goes.
I need help on why anyone would want to mount a Bradley turret onto an old Sherman hull. Something on the order of the Bradley hit a mine that damaged the hull beyond repair so they grabbed a Sherman out of the city's war museum or some such thing. I build things and wish I could write about them. I stick to my strengths.
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looks really good. Nice work
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Thanks!
Latest pics
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1588/24322379830_998daccb41_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/D4hy9o)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1508/24617904335_c46f4096f3_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Dvpcht)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1597/24322368510_505958aec6_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/D4huMd)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1584/24250214609_d4d5b9799f_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/CWUFWr)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1502/24535680711_14fb913e96_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Do8M4M)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1696/24322435390_95f5099fb9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/D4hQEj)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1580/24509618522_ab4bfe188e_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/DkQcFG)
A pair of Bradley transplants.
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1596/24535742051_dfb9662b8c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Do96in)
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Awesome!!!! And those turret top antennae look just like the ones on the probe droid from Empire Strikes Back!!!!! 8)
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Awesome!!!! And those turret top antennae look just like the ones on the probe droid from Empire Strikes Back!!!!! 8)
Not what I was going for but glad you like it. Thanks
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pretty impressive all in all
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Thanks
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Last two photos. I'm declaring this one finished!
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1571/24375106119_22965ae40c_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/D8WMQk)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1592/24624965342_963a1a6559_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Dw2ogY)
I'm not too big on adding lots of stowage and such. The fiddly bits on this one almost drove me nuts as it is.
I started this back in August, do you think it qualifies for Clear your workbench GB?
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Hell no! I started my HMBLT back in 2012 & I don't think it'll make it for the 2015 Clear Your Workbench GB. ;D
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We'll have to run this GB next year. Maybe the HMBLT will be ready then!
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We'll have to run this GB next year. Maybe the HMBLT will be ready then!
The Clear Your Workbench GB is an annual GB. It is designed to do exactly as the name suggests and to give you a motivation to complete old projects.
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An awesome piece of work my good man. Bravo! :)
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Thanks my friend!
That M51 I started with was such a nice kit I may build one stock just for fun.
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So creative. Is like you are giving old Shermans a new lease on life and career. :)
Bring on more conversions !
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Claymore started it! I blame (credit) it all on him!
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=5366.0 (http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=5366.0)
This does lend itself to lots of possibilities!
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You're most kind. Perhaps we should go not business! ;)