Author Topic: M4A3E8 UCV  (Read 38919 times)

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #25 on: May 03, 2015, 04:28:52 AM »
That was my experience with the AFV Club "workable" M3 tracks. I ended up gluing them, once I got the track lengths finished and "stable".

I've done exactly the same thing.  In fact if you were to leave the tracks in their 'workable' state (ie with no glue) they would very rapidly fly apart.  I've never really seen the point of workable tracks for what is after all a static model.  Certainly for the M4, track length for the straight bits and single track block for the curves would do perfectly well and would save a huge amount of time and frustration.  ;)
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #26 on: May 03, 2015, 01:04:13 PM »
Be worth the effort though. They will look ace.
I found the same with the AFV Club LVT tracks when I was building this

Each link was 4 parts and there were a lot of them. Twice.
But compared to the very, very ordinary Italeri track on the LVT2 reallyworth the effort

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #27 on: May 03, 2015, 04:31:37 PM »
You are absolutely right, they do look very good but blimey, talk about labour intensive!

Beautiful model, by the way.  :)
« Last Edit: June 16, 2015, 07:01:50 AM by Claymore »
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #28 on: May 04, 2015, 03:26:04 AM »
Both tracks done at last... only 640 separate parts!

I still have the extended fenders to add but it's starting to look the way I want it. The GAU-12 has been fitted in place of the standard Bushmaster and although this is the later up-armoured turret, I have kept the older rear turret bustle as: 1, the later bustle just makes the turret look too big; and 2. the inward slope of the older bustle more aesthetically matches the forward slope of the glacis plate.

The ERA will make things look a lot different, as will the dozer blade. I'm not sure about adding the RWS as I think it will look too big - I'll build it anyway and see what it looks like.

Anyhoo, here we are so far...

« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:33:48 PM by Claymore »
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #29 on: May 04, 2015, 05:08:25 AM »
This is looking really right! I would keep the applique armor and mount the ERA around it. Just my $0.02. I agree side skirts would be nice but I won't want to cover up all the nice suspension work either.
The RWS would look good on an engineer or recovery version.
Have you considered a new engine? You may be past that point by now.

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #30 on: May 04, 2015, 06:22:00 AM »
The turret alone gives it a whole new, fresh look.

The tracks really do pop

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #31 on: May 04, 2015, 12:06:50 PM »
Very nice, Claymore! Very nice, indeed! :)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #32 on: May 04, 2015, 06:57:42 PM »
This is looking really right! I would keep the applique armor and mount the ERA around it. Just my $0.02. I agree side skirts would be nice but I won't want to cover up all the nice suspension work either.
The RWS would look good on an engineer or recovery version.
Have you considered a new engine? You may be past that point by now.

Thanks.  I have pretty much decided that this will be an IDF vehicle and as such. I really need to have it mounting the Cummins diesel as a minimum. Hey ho, outwith the welding torch and once more into the valley of...  ;)
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #33 on: May 04, 2015, 07:09:00 PM »
The turret alone gives it a whole new, fresh look.

The tracks really do pop

Very nice, Claymore! Very nice, indeed! :)

Thanks guys... why is there always so much more to do than first meets the eye?
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #34 on: May 04, 2015, 09:43:03 PM »
This is looking really right! I would keep the applique armor and mount the ERA around it. Just my $0.02. I agree side skirts would be nice but I won't want to cover up all the nice suspension work either.
The RWS would look good on an engineer or recovery version.
Have you considered a new engine? You may be past that point by now.

Thanks.  I have pretty much decided that this will be an IDF vehicle and as such. I really need to have it mounting the Cummins diesel as a minimum. Hey ho, outwith the welding torch and once more into the valley of...  ;)

I was thinking the same thing a little while ago and looked up the Israeli M-50 and M-51 versions. They would have the Cummins diesel engine but the price of the kits was a little to much for me. If I already had a Sherman in the stash I would be going your route right now. We'll see what the future holds.
Having fun watching your progress!

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #35 on: May 05, 2015, 04:28:05 AM »
Having decided that the UCV will be an IDV vehicle left me with a small problemette - all late IDF Shermans had their engines replaced with diesels and most commonly the Cummins. Although, I don't have to model the engine itself, the rear deck was significantly different to the standard US M4A3E8. So out came the cutting torch and ta da!

« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:35:37 PM by Claymore »
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #36 on: May 05, 2015, 05:00:23 AM »
Did you scratch build that or was it a drop in conversion piece? Looks awesome!

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #37 on: May 05, 2015, 05:32:35 AM »
Did you scratch build that or was it a drop in conversion piece? Looks awesome!

Thanks, it's scratch built...
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Cliffy B

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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #38 on: May 05, 2015, 05:33:23 AM »
Darn fine job sir!   8)
"Radials growl, inlines purr, jets blow!"  -Anonymous

"Helos don't fly.  They vibrate so violently that the ground rejects them."  -Tom Clancy

"If all else fails, call in an air strike."  -Anonymous

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #39 on: May 05, 2015, 05:44:10 AM »
Darn fine job sir!   8)

Most kind!  :)
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #40 on: May 05, 2015, 05:47:29 AM »
Did you scratch build that or was it a drop in conversion piece? Looks awesome!

Thanks, it's scratch built...

I saw what appeared to be white plastic and said damn!

Offline Steve Blazo

  • The man likes white plastic...weird.
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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #41 on: May 05, 2015, 08:56:35 PM »
Looking real good. The engine deck looks the part, love white plastic !!
As I walk through the valley of death,
I have no fear, because I am the meanest mother*ucker in the whole valley.
- Gen. George S. Patton

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #42 on: May 06, 2015, 02:16:45 AM »
Did you scratch build that or was it a drop in conversion piece? Looks awesome!

If you wanted to avoid the scratch-building on the engine deck you can get that part and other items from Tank Work Shop.  TWS has enough individual items to build a complete Sherman from their parts.  I would imagine the price on that would be astronomical but it is possible :)

The M51 Sherman engine deck is listed at the top of this page

There might be another company that offers that part but I do not recall the name. 
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #43 on: May 06, 2015, 03:28:39 AM »
...sadly, the deed is already done but thanks Jeff that is an excellent site and I can see myself making good use of them in the future.  :)
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #44 on: May 06, 2015, 05:37:44 AM »
...sadly, the deed is already done but thanks Jeff that is an excellent site and I can see myself making good use of them in the future.  :)
Any product that can save you the time of scratch-building is always a good thing.  :)
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Claymore

  • It's all done with smoke and mirrors!
  • Alt Hist AFV guy with a thing for Bradley turrets
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #45 on: May 11, 2015, 12:13:50 AM »
I decided to tackle the Verlinden M113 Dozer Blade next.  Whilst more or less the right size, it is nevertheless designed to fit a M113 and not a Sherman... So, I needed to do quite a bit of rearranging of the various fixtures and fittings.  Fortunately the resin is fairly obedient to the orders of a sharp razor saw and a good scalpel.  I didn't want the blade to be in the fully lowered position as that would have been too easy, so I put it in this mid position which gives good additional protection to the transmission housing and enough ground clearance for manoeuvre in urban streets. 

I have to say, given Verlinden's dubious reputation, the kit is clean, sharp and was relatively easy to work with.  Thumbs up!  :)

« Last Edit: November 02, 2023, 10:36:36 PM by Claymore »
Pass the razor saw, there is work to be done!

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #46 on: May 11, 2015, 01:33:12 AM »
This looks great! Exactly what a person would expect to see in a improvesed effort to use this vehicle in today's world.
Now for some Berlin Brigade urban camo!


Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #47 on: May 11, 2015, 02:54:28 AM »
Ah but I think it is going to be IDF...
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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But you can make the Bastard work for it.

Offline Old Wombat

  • "We'll see when I've finished whether I'm showing off or simply embarrassing myself."
  • "Define 'interesting'?"
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #48 on: May 11, 2015, 09:27:58 AM »
Coming together nicely, mate! :)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Kerick

  • Reportedly finished with a stripper...
Re: M4A3E8 UCV
« Reply #49 on: May 11, 2015, 11:36:44 AM »
Ah but I think it is going to be IDF...

Throw in some tan squares!