Tamiya M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight - 1:35

[bfrd]

My first tank build. So far all I have had to do is shake the box a little. The fit of the parts is exactly like we have all come to expect from a Tamiya kit.





*upside down, but it was easier to photo this way

[Stokesy44]

Nice choice for your first armour build. Cant go wrong with a new tool Tamiya kit.

Off to a nice start too.

[bfrd]

I did watch a video from Andy's Hobby Headquarters on this build. He basically built the entire thing and then painted. Is that the SOP for armour? I figured I would probably leave the suspension and wheel assemblies off and paint, but just build everything else first. That just seems too easy.

[Stokesy44]

I did watch a video from Andy's Hobby Headquarters on this build. He basically built the entire thing and then painted. Is that the SOP for armour? I figured I would probably leave the suspension and wheel assemblies off and paint, but just build everything else first. That just seems too easy.

Pretty much. Biggest reason for doing the wheels separately is painting the rubber rims. Much easier when you can get at them rather than once they're attached.

If you're going to do them separately, do the primer and the olive drab, do the rims then put them on the tank. That way all your weathering and washing will flow better.

[bfrd]

Made my first oopsie of this project. I forgot to drill out some holes. In order to gain access I needed to open up a couple of access holes. I used a butane lighter and my hobby knife to make two small(ish) holes. I decided to use a hot blade since there were already several smaller pieces cemented on. I didn't think a lot of force would be good. Anyone want to guess which hole was first?



The holes will be visible if you turn the model over and look underneath, but oh well. Below is the end result. I have circled the two lift points that were able to be installed.


Everything else went very easily. I finished the building and moved on to priming. I can't say I am happy with the olive primer from Badger. It went on very sloppy. Very thin and runny. I did warm the bottle in some hot water, perhaps that was too much. It dried OK, but just didn't look very good when it went down.




Man, are there a lot of wheels!

(and apparently I missed one during priming! )

[digger303]

sometimes if you put the kit up to the light you can see where the holes are and can come through from the outside or use a small torch

[TheNordus]

Looking fine so far. If you have some plastic card, you could plug those holes up with it from the inside.

[Stokesy44]

Primer looks like its settled down nicely. That's the great thing about the self-levelling stuff. It goes on all agricultural but flattens out beautifully,

I did chuckle when I read your comment about there being lots of wheels. Just you wait until you build a Panzer Mk IV or a Panther or an early Tiger. You'll be up to your eyeball in the damn things.

How are you finding your first armour build? Its certainly a different world from aircraft builds, are you enjoying the process?

[bfrd]

I did note the location of the holes using a bright light. They were just right on the edge and I didn't want to risk making a mistake on the topside of the model.

So far the tank build has been enjoyable. Nothing hard, a few microscopic pieces but nothing too bad. I am enjoying the build. I certainly wouldn't rule out another tank/armour build in the future.

I am impressed at how well the primer dried. No doubt about it, that is some good stuff. I have a few smaller pieces left to prime and then I will need to decide if I will pre-shade and paint, or just go with the primer. The color certainly works for me.

[TommyKillander]

This is a fantastic kit - excellent choice for a first AFV

It's looking great sofar - keep up the good work!


Tommy

[bfrd]

I spent what seemed like an eternity painting wheels last night. I got the lower body mucked up with some dark brown panel liner. I also got the suspension parts weathered. I used a combination of dark brown panel liner, silver dry brushing, and black panel liner. I used a fairly heavy silver dry brush on the sprockets as I would think they would be quite worn on the edges.



A few closer shots.

[bfrd]

Wheels are attached and initial weathering with panel liner has been done.









I have painted the tracks and they are ready for some weathering. Next, I plan to seal up the body and put on the decals. A little oil work and she will be done.

[bfrd]

Got the decals on along with the tools and other little bits. I know the jerry cans should not be red, but in my world *all* jerry cans are red.

I put another 50:50 mix of Tamiya x22 and MLT on to seal in the decals (all 5 of them).

[chops1sc]

Very nice! I believe I saw you on Andy's Facebook group. I will be starting mine soon. I am currently building an M26 recoery vehicle and I want to put the Sherman in tow.

[Stokesy44]

Nice work. I like the jerry cans too

[bfrd]

Very nice! I believe I saw you on Andy's Facebook group. I will be starting mine soon. I am currently building an M26 recoery vehicle and I want to put the Sherman in tow.

Must have been somebody else. I have only posted my build here. I watched his video though.

[chops1sc]

Must have been somebody else. I have only posted my build here. I watched his video though.

Ah, my mistake. There's a guy building this same kit and it was his first armor, LOL!

It's a pretty good group - The Mediocre Modelers group

[SimpleScaleModels]

Hi, great work! do you recommend it, i was wondering if i should get it?

[bfrd]

Hi, great work! do you recommend it, i was wondering if i should get it?

Most definitely!

It falls together and is a very enjoyable build. It has enough detail to be interesting, but not so much that it becomes tedious. 5 decals is a plus! I can't compare it to other armour kits, but I certainly can't find fault with it either.

[SimpleScaleModels]

Thanks for that, i will try to find it somewhere ; )