1/35 Eduard Sherman Band of Brothers Tribute

[Stokesy44]

I have a bunch of those kits. There from a company called Alan or something like that. I'll look them up in my paper kits drawer and get the name if you want?.

That's very kind of you mate. If its not too much trouble then thanks very much. The standing trooper has the ration pack moulded to his hand so there's not really any scope to incorporate an actual bespoke pack but it might be useful to know about them for future dioramas.

Thanks again

David

[Stokesy44]

Had a few days away over the weekend but got back to the bench yesterday.

I painted the tank again after the initial olive drab coat was not satisfactory. It was way too bright (to my eyes) so I added a couple of drops of Vallejo black to the Tamiya olive drab and had another go. I now have a much more realistic colour.




Then did the detail painting



And finally glossing. All ready for the decals now which, hopefully, will be done today.




I carried on working on the figures, principally concentrating on the girl by the road side. In the series she is wearing a drab looking grey / black coat so I decided to try and replicate that rather than the more colourful version indicated by the kit's paint guide. I still have to do the flesh tones and the shaved hair look but I'm happy with the clothes now.




So, the plan is now for decals then sealing prior to filters, washes and chipping. I'll get stuck into the figures too.

[Kevthemodeller]

This is really looking good mate

[OneSmallStep1966]

I agree Kev, he's doing an outstanding job.

[MarkVerploeg]

Very nice progres so far
Keep up the good work

[InitialProduction1]

Found them I'll post a picture tomorrow. They do need a ppiece of styrene added to them to make them right.

[InitialProduction1]

Here's the pics. They look much better in person. Don't know why this camera isn't taking good pics? It keeps Auto focusing. Anyway I can send you one breakfast supper and dinner.

2017-04-18 10.55.42.jpg

[Stokesy44]

Here's the pics. They look much better in person. Don't know why this camera isn't taking good pics? It keeps Auto focusing. Anyway I can send you one breakfast supper and dinner.

I really appreciate the offer but please don't worry. It would look great if I could make one then put it into the soldier's hand but since the ration pack block is moulded onto the figure already it would be almost impossible to build the paper around it.

If you could let me know who makes them I can file the info for future diorama builds.

Thanks and regards

David

[Stokesy44]

Thanks for the comments guys

Decals all done. Not too impressed with them to be honest. There's a fair amount of silvering despite my efforts during application. I haven't glossed yet so hopefully that will reduce it a bit. The weathering process will help too. Between filters, washes and pigments, I'll get rid of the problem eventually.





I went back to the figures and did the flesh tone work on the faces. The eyes are a little bright but that's ok for the troopers as once their helmets are on, they'll be in shadow. The tank commander looks ok but I'll do a little more work on the girl's eyes during the weathering process. Very pleased with My Scale 75 Flesh Tones paints. Well worth the cash.





I tried to copy the look of the girl's hair from the series. She's a sad sight and it wasn't a clean shave, hence the slightly dirty look - poor thing - and I'm not being funny about it. Its one of those times where the model subject matter really resonates.




Next up is glossing the tanks then its on to weathering - weathering EVERYTHING! Great fun in prospect, I loves me a bit of weathering

[InitialProduction1]

Hudson and Allen made the paper k rations. Really great build.

[Stokesy44]

Hudson and Allen made the paper k rations. Really great build.

Thank you, kind Sir.

[digger303]

this maybe useful as to rations http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Ra ... sintro.htm

[Kevthemodeller]

If you could let me know who makes them I can file the info for future diorama builds.

Hi David

Try a company called Plus Model, they do a whole range of accessorises for dioramas.

[Stokesy44]

Hi David
Try a company called Plus Model, they do a whole range of accessorises for dioramas.

this maybe useful as to rations http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Ra ... sintro.htm

Thanks guys, really appreciate the info. Mind you my wallet just had a conniption fit and has locked itself in the cupboard! I lack will power like a cat lacks pyjamas!

Back to the build.

I solved my decal silvering problem. I was sat there last night and had a Eureka moment. Why not just paint over the silvering with olive drab before I gloss over the decals? So about 10.30 last night, instead of cocoa and a bedtime story I went to the bench and tried it out. Left it overnight to cure and sealed with aqua gloss this morning - well chuffed.





Then it was on to the figures. I had brush painted aqua gloss on to their arms last night ready for the screaming eagle and US flag decals so after spraying the tank this morning I put the decals on. To my utter delight (and I mean that!) they went down beautifully with the help of the good old Mocrosol red and blue bottled stuff.

Here's the 101st Airborne - Currahee!







The tank's ready for weathering now and the soldiers just need some aqua gloss on top of the decals before I start on them too. The tank commander needs a hand painted unit badge on his left shoulder and he'll be ready as well.

I am loving this build

[digger303]

this maybe useful as to rations http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Ra ... sintro.htm

Finally found the site I was looking for. You can download ration boxes, tents ,wood crates,movie posters,sign posts, propaganda posters,all sorts of rations, stars and stripes, poncho's and some other stuff. It's all in high definition and all free just up to you to make them realistic.



quickly made up one to see what it looks like....wood grain is not bad for paper...needs a small block of wood in it to straighten out the sides.

[Twokidsnosleep]

This is great stuff Stoksey
The uniforms on the guys are painted very well

[privatepete]

Hi David love the screaming eagle and US flag decals on the guys uniforms, keep up the v.good work "Currahee" - We stand alone together

[Stokesy44]

This is great stuff Stoksey
The uniforms on the guys are painted very well

Hi David love the screaming eagle and US flag decals on the guys uniforms, keep up the v.good work "Currahee" - We stand alone together

Thanks Gentlemen. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the amount of carrier film around the screaming eagle shoulder flashes. Given the uneven surface they were going on to I thought I had a disaster on my hands. However, I swabbed the arm with the blue stuff from Microsol and when I laid the decal down it rolled around the arm pretty well. I then put the red bottled stuff on to soften the decal and it sat down beautifully. I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing. Two or three coats of the red stuff and I declared victory!

Last thing I did before bed last night was to brush aqua gloss over both the eagles and the US flags so they're ready to go with oils for weathering and washing today.

[digger303]

This is great stuff Stoksey
The uniforms on the guys are painted very well

Hi David love the screaming eagle and US flag decals on the guys uniforms, keep up the v.good work "Currahee" - We stand alone together

Thanks Gentlemen. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the amount of carrier film around the screaming eagle shoulder flashes. Given the uneven surface they were going on to I thought I had a disaster on my hands. However, I swabbed the arm with the blue stuff from Microsol and when I laid the decal down it rolled around the arm pretty well. I then put the red bottled stuff on to soften the decal and it sat down beautifully. I couldn't quite believe what I was seeing. Two or three coats of the red stuff and I declared victory!

Last thing I did before bed last night was to brush aqua gloss over both the eagles and the US flags so they're ready to go with oils for weathering and washing today.

nicely done

[Stokesy44]

Working on the tank today.

Got the dot filtering done. I want the hull to look nice and faded so used a lot of white relative to the other colours. Looking for that dusty washed out look.

This is the first round




After that I concentrated on dulling down the markings, particularly the main numbers on the side of the hull.





Dirtied up around the fuel and lubricant caps - still more to do here, some staining required.



I sat it on the base (which is currently sitting in the kit box - not how it will look in the end!) and immediately though yeah, me like!



Then it was on to the turret - dots are a bit messy but since I'm going for tone rather than specific streaks it no problem.



After the merging - I use low odour terpenoid which is more forgiving and less streaky than some other thinners



Then I popped the turret on to the tank and hey, its a proper Sherman



Back on the base for a little look-see




I've got a bit of a head scratcher up next. I'm not sure whether to add a dark wash or not. I plan to use light grey and brown pigments to really push the dusty look (Market Garden was a summer operation so the tanks would have been dusty as opposed to muddy) so I'm not sure I need the wash. Maybe a pin wash on the hatches and engine deck detail will do the job. There are worse problems to have!

[spock1701]

This has been a really fun build to follow

A great scene to model and so nice of the manufacturer to provide the perfect figures

[spock1701]

This has been a really fun build to follow

A great scene to model and so nice of the manufacturer to provide the perfect figures

[Stokesy44]

This has been a really fun build to follow

A great scene to model and so nice of the manufacturer to provide the perfect figures

Thanks mate. I must admit, as soon as I saw the figures I thought I've got to get them. The diorama idea is so obvious since the pic of them on the Sherman is on the box lid!! I didn't actually set out to buy them on the web or anything but the first time I went to a model shop after finding out about them I saw them on the shelf and there was no way I was going to pass. Given there are 9 figures in the box they were also very nicely priced relative to other figure sets. You can see from the pics in the WIP how superb the moulding is on them.

As for putting them together, they only needed a bit of filler around the waist and shoulders so they were a joy to work on. They're almost done, I started on the washing and highlighting yesterday so I'll post the pics later today. After that, all that's left are their personal weapons which include M1's, an M1 Carbine, a Thomson, a .30 calibre mg and a BAR - they didn't use BARs in the series so I'm having real issues about authenticity

[spock1701]

they didn't use BARs in the series so I'm having real issues about authenticity

Just because we didn't see them doesn't mean they weren't there

[privatepete]

As for putting them together, they only needed a bit of filler around the waist and shoulders so they were a joy to work on. They're almost done, I started on the washing and highlighting yesterday so I'll post the pics later today. After that, all that's left are their personal weapons which include M1's, an M1 Carbine, a Thomson, a .30 calibre mg and a BAR - they didn't use BARs in the series so I'm having real issues about authenticity

HI this may throw a spanner in the works old boy sorry, amazing what you can find on NHS computer

M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle

Cpl. Heron holds the BAR in "Replacements" (Ep.4).

In "Replacements", Cpl. Heron is seen with the BAR next to Sgt. Randleman (Michael Cudlitz).

Another shot of the BAR as Winters and the men of Easy Company charge up the berm in "Crossroads".

Cpl. Heron with his BAR during the attack on Foy in "The Breaking Point" (Ep.7).

The following weapons were used in Band of Brothers

Allied Weapons

Handguns
Colt M1911A1
Colt New Service Revolver

Submachine Guns
M1A1 Thompson
M3A1 "Grease Gun"
M1903A3 Springfield
M1903A4 Springfield (Without scope)
M1 Garand
M1 Carbine
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

Machine Guns
M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle
M1919A4
M1919A6
Browning M2HB

Other
M1A1 Rocket Launcher "Bazooka"
M9 Bazooka
M7 Rifle Grenade Launcher with M9A1 Rifle Grenades
Mk II Hand Grenade
M18 Smoke Grenade
M2 Flamethrower
M2 Mortar

Heavy Weapons
Bofors 40mm

[privatepete]

The finish you got is the same as the one in the picture, nice work

[Stokesy44]

HI this may throw a spanner in the works old boy sorry, amazing what you can find on NHS computer

Brilliant work Pete. I have been a BoB fan ever since it came out, I've watched it over and over and I have NEVER noticed the shots of the BARs! I've often wondered why they didn't have them particularly with the production team so involved in Saving Private Ryan where the BAR is used prominently.

I guess I was just blown away by everything else in the scenes that I just didn't spot it.

[Stokesy44]

The finish you got is the same as the one in the picture, nice work

Thanks Pete. You're a Sherman officianado, what do you make of the tracks on the Sherman in the photo? They don't look like the rubber pad based tracks seen on WW2 Shermans.

[Stokesy44]

Finished off the figures yesterday using oil washes.

Each soldier got a black wash on their uniforms and boots and a brown wash on their face and hands. Once they had dried I used a slightly thicker black wash in the creases of the uniforms and a khaki highlight on the crease edges, webbing, straps and collars. I also used a very small amount of green wash for tonal differences.

Here's the rogue's gallery.









The tank commander had some browns applied for tone - didn't bother with his lower legs as he's in the hatch and they wont be seen.



The girl just had some wash on her face and hands as I had done the tonal work during the painting process.



Next up is a matt varnish on the tank then pigments. Once that's done it will be time to put everyone in position and call it done. Oh and I need to paint the ration pack in the soldier's hand too.

And one other thing. Bought a Valuegear tarps and boxes set off ebay. A few bits will go nicely on the engine deck of the Sherman so that will need doing as well.

[Fridgy]

Looking awesome so far mate

[privatepete]

The finish you got is the same as the one in the picture, nice work

Thanks Pete. You're a Sherman officianado, what do you make of the tracks on the Sherman in the photo? They don't look like the rubber pad based tracks seen on WW2 Shermans.

All three Shermans used in the B of B are Canadian built Grizzlys M4A1. Two were the same used in Saving Private Ryan', the tracks are CDP), but it was not made by Chrysler (Detroit Tank Arsenal).

The A1 version was produced by
- Lima Locomotive Works
- Pressed Steel Car Co.
- Pacific Car and Foundry Co.

The 188 Grizzly were produced, to my knowledge, at the Montreal Locomotive Works.

CDP stands for Canadian Dry Pin tracks



CDP tracks from Panda Plastics and Friulmodels

M4A1 Canadian Dry Pin Tracks

The picture below is a good shot of the tracks, sprockets and also the Canadian (Sexton) bogies that were used on some examples of the M4A1 Grizzly, they all had the CDP tracks and sprocket, but not all examples used the Canadian bogies which have enlarged strengthening ribs on the outer face.


The CDP tracks used a different drive sprocket compared with the more normal Sherman M4A1, a solid lump of metal with no lightening holes or cutouts. The white metal tracks used for this build are Friulmodel ATL-127, and they come complete with a new drive sprocket

[Stokesy44]

Cool. Thanks Pete. I had only ever spotted Shermans with the rubber type tracks. I didn't know they had metal track variants too.

[privatepete]

Cool. Thanks Pete. I had only ever spotted Shermans with the rubber type tracks. I didn't know they had metal track variants too.

Have a look at the Steel Bar Cleat section half way down the list.
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minu ... racks.html

[digger303]

Cool. Thanks Pete. I had only ever spotted Shermans with the rubber type tracks. I didn't know they had metal track variants too.

Have a look at the Steel Bar Cleat section half way down the list.
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minu ... racks.html

thanks Pete...very handy

[Stokesy44]

I varnished the tank to seal all the oil work and put the tracks on yesterday. The metal connectors were painted with Vallejo gun metal grey.




Once on the hull, I washed the connectors using AK rust effects paints. There's no pics of the work because I had a disaster with the paint. For some reason the paint had really thickened up in the bottle and wouldn't come out. I thought I had cleared the blockage but when I squeezed, it exploded out the front end, blowing the nozzle off and going all over the place, including the tank. I immediately went into crisis mode and ran the tank under the tap to wash the paint off. After that it was clean up for about 30 minutes. What a nightmare. Thankfully, the only lasting issue was the tank needed a another spray of matt varnish after I had dried it off. Some of the varnish had come off as it hadn't fully cured before the 'accident'.

So, with the disaster averted I moved on this morning. I had painted the trooper's personal weapons previously so I glued them in the men's hands and positioned them on the tank. The weapons still need a few touch ups where the paint has come off (due to me handling them). Everything then went on to the base for a look see

Excuse the blu-tac for the 2 figures on the road - I'll tidy that up on finishing.












Just a few things left now. Pigments on the tank's hull and tracks, a few touch ups on the troops and that's about it. My Valuegear order of tarps and boxes for the engine deck should arrive tomorrow. That will be the last thing to do.

[privatepete]

Your a very lucky boy, looking​ very good

[Stokesy44]

My Value Gear stowage set has turned up. Or, more accurately, I got an email from eBay saying my package was available for collection from Argos, which is about a mile from my house. So I hopped in the motor and pootled over to the store and got my stuff.

Its one of their generic crates and tarps sets. The resin pieces look absolutely stunning.

These are the 3 bits I've settled on for the engine deck, they need a little trimming for flash, then a wash, then they'll be ready for priming.




And these are the bits that are left over! Not bad for £10.99.



I've got 2 more dioramas coming up. Both involve vehicles with room for stowage so these little beauties will be perfect. Well chuffed.

[privatepete]

Value Gear is the best in my opinion, there is so meany set to choose from, and that is a very nice set

[Stokesy44]

Here we are - All done!

Final bits done so I'm calling this complete

Painted the stowage with Ultimate black primer then brush painted with Vallejo Model Colour - beautiful paints for brush work.



Then oils applied, basic black wash then colour tints and wot nots.



After that it was out with the Vallejo concrete pigment pot and time to get dusty. Heaviest application was to the tracks and running gear but I did a fair bit on the hull and also a little on the troopers too.






Stowage added




Same pigment colour applied to the stowage




And here it is. All done














I've loved working on this. As a fan of the series it was great as a subject. The Eduard Sherman is a great kit and the Master Box figures are top notch. Well worth it in both cases. Thanks for looking in and commenting.



Not sure what's coming up next

[MarkVerploeg]

Great result Stokesy
I really like the look of it
That is a nice bit of stowage
I never ordered any of the Valuegear products but is each set different or do they share some parts like you see with all the Verlinden sets
Those usually are half full of generic stuff you get in each set you buy

[Stokesy44]

Great result Stokesy
I really like the look of it
That is a nice bit of stowage
I never ordered any of the Valuegear products but is each set different or do they share some parts like you see with all the Verlinden sets
Those usually are half full of generic stuff you get in each set you buy

Thanks Mark

I believe they don't duplicate pieces across sets because they state each piece is a different mould. They do a whole load of different sets specific to Sherman engine decks and I believe those are not duplicates either.

You can see them all on the Fields of Glory website if you want to compare them set by set.

http://www.fieldsofglorymodels.co.uk/pr ... =valuegear

I could spend a fortune on this site - the stuff looks amazing.

[MarkVerploeg]

Great result Stokesy
I really like the look of it
That is a nice bit of stowage
I never ordered any of the Valuegear products but is each set different or do they share some parts like you see with all the Verlinden sets
Those usually are half full of generic stuff you get in each set you buy

Thanks Mark

I believe they don't duplicate pieces across sets because they state each piece is a different mould. They do a whole load of different sets specific to Sherman engine decks and I believe those are not duplicates either.

You can see them all on the Fields of Glory website if you want to compare them set by set.

http://www.fieldsofglorymodels.co.uk/pr ... =valuegear

I could spend a fortune on this site - the stuff looks amazing.

Thanks for the tip
I usually make German armor so there isn't a lot of stowage on them
And for the Allied vehicles i have i already own a bunch of stowage sets mostly Legend and Verlinden so thatbis why i was wondering
Those often have duplicates of several parts like ammo boxes and some personal kit of the crew
It does make some sense ofcourse but to see the same kind of cleaning rod for 3 kinds of vehicles with different kind of guns looks a bit lazy
Really when they are completely different calibres and barrel lenghts

[Mylightweight]

Awesome build, great stuff well done

[Zen]

Very nice work!