Sherman M4A3E8 - 4th Armored division - Bastogne 1945 - RFM 1:35

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Tue May 17, 2022 11:06 am

Hi all,
I'm starting to assemble this RFM kit:

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

to make this Sherman of the 35th Battalion, 4th Armored division which operated near Bastogne on 1945:

IMG_0021 by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

I found only this picture about this specific tank:

http://www.worldwar2facts.org/wp-conten ... m-tank.jpg

Source: http://www.worldwar2facts.org/

any further help to find other pictures ... would be greatly appreciated

A quick look inside the box:

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Tue May 17, 2022 11:07 am

First steps ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Tue May 17, 2022 12:02 pm

Looks like a good kit for a minute I thought it was a Tasca with the color of the plastic being what it is.. I wonder will the tracks be tight or can the idler be adjusted at the finish to tighten them up.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue May 17, 2022 7:08 pm

Very nice start. RFM make great kits. They can be a bit fiddly but well worth it. Enjoy

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Thu May 19, 2022 6:26 pm

Lower hull assembled ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Fitting test ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **aur0ra145** » Sat May 21, 2022 4:54 pm

That's a lot of track pieces, you're braver than me! Really cool subject, looks like a nice kit to boot.

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Wed May 25, 2022 9:09 pm

Interior improvement

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Thu May 26, 2022 1:10 am

Very sharp details.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Thu May 26, 2022 8:16 am

Me like! Me like a lot!

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sat May 28, 2022 6:03 pm

Interior, first layer of paint

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Engine before the weathering ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **aur0ra145** » Sat May 28, 2022 6:25 pm

Looking good, nice details on the engine!

Post by **digger303** » Sun May 29, 2022 12:23 am

RFM did a fine job on the engine. Gotta love the new manufacturers they really upped the overall game for all us modelers.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sun May 29, 2022 7:37 am

digger303 wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 12:23 am RFM did a fine job on the engine. Gotta love the new manufacturers they really upped the overall game for all us modelers.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Takom, Meng, RFM, Border etc. Along with the more established providers, its a great time to be a modeler. We have so much power in our pockets.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Sun May 29, 2022 9:29 am

Yep - what the lads already said.

The interior detailing is great & that engine is a stunning build in it's own right

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sun May 29, 2022 6:37 pm

Engine weathered

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Mon May 30, 2022 12:59 am

Nicely done.

Post by **aur0ra145** » Mon May 30, 2022 1:33 am

Really nice effects on the engine!

Post by **Stokesy44** » Mon May 30, 2022 5:51 pm

That engine looks cracking Sir

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sat Jun 11, 2022 5:29 pm

Interior improvement ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **DRUMS01** » Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:37 pm

Looking at the parts breakdown, this seems to me to be the best 1/35 Sherman kit currently available, am I correct?

Your modeling skills only add to a nice kit to make a stunning scale replica of the Sherman, GOOD JOB!

Ben / DRUMS01

Post by **BigWall** » Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:57 pm

Most excellent work!

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Wed Jun 15, 2022 8:35 pm

Interior completed ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Wed Jun 15, 2022 8:38 pm

DRUMS01 wrote: Sat Jun 11, 2022 6:37 pm Looking at the parts breakdown, this seems to me to be the best 1/35 Sherman kit currently available, am I correct?

Your modeling skills only add to a nice kit to make a stunning scale replica of the Sherman, GOOD JOB!

Ben / DRUMS01

Yes Ben, you are correct, is a very well engineered kit ...

Thanks for your appreciation

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Jun 15, 2022 9:41 pm

More stunning work on the interior - this really looks great.

Post by **digger303** » Thu Jun 16, 2022 12:37 am

Terrific work

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Fri Jul 15, 2022 10:30 pm

Turret interiors assembled ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 12:27 am

Post by **DRUMS01** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 7:05 am

There is some excellent work going on there.

Nice build thread too.

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Jul 16, 2022 11:06 am

Superb work. That turret interior looks great

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:39 am

Turret exterior painted ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

I have a doubt, but the hatch interior was painted in white or in olive drab ?

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:48 am

Top class effort this is going to be another beaut...

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Wed Jul 27, 2022 4:22 pm

Hatches and some details added, the tank is almost ready for the weathering ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Fri Jul 29, 2022 11:39 am

I tried to apply the Color Modulation process, (lighter area painted with a lighter color layer, darker area painted wirh a darker color layer).
I lighted the base color (Olive drab) with a small amount of yellow and I darkened with a little amount of dark gray ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

The first step after airbrush "modulation" is to add pin washes ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

... to be continued ..

Post by **digger303** » Fri Jul 29, 2022 1:02 pm

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Tue Aug 02, 2022 7:48 pm

I applied Blue oil in shadow areas and yellow in light areas, then I melt the colors with a brush moisten in thinner

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:45 am

The oils give it a subtle reflected light effect that I like very much.....beautifully blended. The blue and yellow oils that you used are they bright colours or a off shade ?

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Aug 03, 2022 11:43 am

Nice work on the tonal variations with the oils

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:30 pm

I'm proceeding with the weathering applying oil paints, rain marks effects and pigments ... the model begins to acquire a dusty and worn look ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sat Aug 06, 2022 10:31 pm

digger303 wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 12:45 am The oils give it a subtle reflected light effect that I like very much.....beautifully blended. The blue and yellow oils that you used are they bright colours or a off shade ?

I used off shade oils.

Regards

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Tue Aug 09, 2022 4:00 pm

Tracks assembled ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

and installed ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **Stokesy44** » Tue Aug 09, 2022 8:54 pm

Tracks look great. Whole thing looks great!

Post by **digger303** » Wed Aug 10, 2022 1:48 am

Nice build and the weathering looks very subtle, just like it might be after a light rain to wash the dust off.

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Sat Aug 13, 2022 7:14 am

Meanwhile I started to work to the winter scenery ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **Stokesy44** » Sat Aug 13, 2022 10:05 pm

Superb work on the base, great to see the stages of how you do it

Post by **ForeverPlasticKits** » Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:11 pm

I love so much this version of the Sherman, your build is fantastic! Also the diorama will be very good.

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:41 am

Tank almost completed and weathered ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Crew ready to be paint ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Any tips to improve the model is welcome

Post by **RodolfoMas** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:35 am

Tank integrated in the scenery and ready for the crew ...

by Rodolfo Masti, on Flickr

Post by **digger303** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 10:11 am

Good as always.

Post by **Tomcat64** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 2:07 pm

Super work - the tank looks great on the base & I'm looking forward to seeing it with the figures completed too

Post by **Stokesy44** » Wed Aug 17, 2022 7:20 pm

Great looking base and the tank suites it really well