Italeri M32 Recovery Sherman in 1/35th

[Dave2014]

Good afternoon all.

I started this back in May this year and is the first 'real' plastic I've picked up in the last 15 years plus.

It's Italeri kit number 203, purchased on evilbay for the modest sum of £8.00 and was unstarted. A bit apprehensive until it's arrival when it was found all parts were complete and undamaged but the transfer sheet has certainly seen better days.

Progress so far :



The interior (uhmm) comprises of just 3 parts, a floor panel and two side locker/tool box assemblies. After assembly the interior was sprayed with Humbrol No 1 primer followed by Humbrol No 155 Olive Drab. After allowing to dry this was followed with a dry brush of Humbrol No 56 Aluminium followed by (which was intended to be a wash) of Humbrol No 113.
All in all for what there is and what will be seen doesn't look too bad considering I'm just starting to 'dip my toe' again.



This photo shows the rear panel installed and completed. This was painted prior to assembly of the hull as part of the rear panel will be hidden making access for painting difficult. The texture on the exhausts was created using some 'Johnsons Baby Powder' mixed with Humbrol No 113. After looking at the photo I should have darkened the paint a little as the baby powder being white lightened it. At this stage the right hand side road wheel bogie units had also been completed.



After the rear panel had been completed the hull was 'buttoned up' and the external fixtures and fittings assembled. This turned out to be a little frustrating as there are absolutely no location pins/holes for anything. There were locating 'areas' marked on the hull for some of the parts but that was about it. Since this photo was taken the left hand side bogie units have been completed and installed. A few other 'bits and pieces' are still to be fitted to the hull exterior prior to priming and painting.

So thats where it stands at the moment. I have enjoyed this build so far with no major fit problems to speak of.

Hope you enjoy it and any comments would be greatly welcomed as I am just returning to the hobby and just poking around some of the builds on this site kit and tool quality seems to have improved beyond belief.

Many Thanks and Regards
Dave.

[Tiger131]

looking real nice

[Dave2014]

Tiger131 - Thank you. While some things are coming back quite easily others are not which has resulted a bit of an untidy build mostly due to the softness of the plastic as my glue tends to melt it more than usual. However, hopefully I can hide most of this with the paint job.

Regards Dave.

[Dave2014]

Well, well. I actually have had some modelling time today and it's only 11:00 am !!

Carrying on with this build the main hull is in the paint shop receiving a coat of primer (which I'm waiting to dry - hence popping in to see whats happening). I've also done a little work on the turret exterior.

Hopefully I will have a couple of photo's up later today but want to see just how far I can get today as I am at home all day and she who must be obeyed is at work - ah what bliss.

[Dave2014]

Good Evening.

Well had quite a productive day today. upper and lower hulls primed and upper hull basecoated. However, things have taken a little longer than planned as my airbrushing skills have seized with rust but got a satisfactory finish in the end.

Some of the turret interior has also been assembled. Not a fat lot to go inside here, very basic but this is an OOB build just to get my eye back in.

Sorry no photo's at the moment as paint is still drying and don't want to tempt fate.

I'll try and get some pictures up tomorrow.

[Dave2014]

Good evening all :

Well here are the update photo's as promised :



First up an overhead view of the model so far. Those who have built one of these before will know how busy the upper hull is with tool boxes, spare parts, pioneer tools, crane jib (modelled in the stowed position) and the front mounted mortar.



A shot of the front showing the winch housing with rollers, the tow cable draped over the hull and the mortar.



The back end. The upper hull has been painted in Humbrol 155. This was followed by two very thin coats of Hunbrol gloss varnish to which the decals have been applied. Some of the detailed painting has been started with the spare trank links in the rear mounted storage racks painted in.



And the back end again but seen from the other side. The model still needs a coat of gloss over the decals to seal them in but I am pleased with the progress acheived in the last few days.
Unfortunately I'm back at work from Monday so bench time will once again become limited but hopefully I can get an hour here or there to continue this most enjoyable build.

I would really welcome any advice for the continued progress on this model or any comments (good or bad) so that I can take on board any changes to my methods (of madness lol).

Enjoy the rest of your weekend !

[Dave2014]

Right then boys and girls.

A quickie question :

What colour are the tail lights on a Sherman. The moulding has two lights on it, a half round shape at the top with a rectangular bar shape underneath.

May seem a stupid question to some but I don't really know that much about WWII armour. (Suppose I ought to get some reference books lol).

Thank you in advance !