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Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:16 pm
by Nige99
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The instructions are a little confusing in places

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Building the hull was fun! Cheers for the tip Coen
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That said I'm enjoying the challenge
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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:39 pm
by Paul
Cant wait to build mine mate, like i said if i didn't have so much on the go i would have built it with you :thumb2:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:44 pm
by Tiger131
great start think i will get a sherman so inspire me... :th:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:51 pm
by tachikoma
I've been wanting to buy a Tasca Sherman so I'll be watching this thread.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:08 am
by ConnorM
Look like a very interesting build.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:39 am
by Nige99
I'll get some more pics up tonight guys. I've done all the running gear now! At first it was fiddly to do but you soon get into the swing of things.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:50 am
by Lego
Is Tasca (brand) gone and it is all asuka now?

Think I am the same as so many others in wanting to build one :pop:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:10 am
by Paul
Lego wrote:Is Tasca (brand) gone and it is all asuka now?

Think I am the same as so many others in wanting to build one :pop:
Yeah rebranded asuka :cheers2:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:50 pm
by Rob
Paul wrote:
Lego wrote:Is Tasca (brand) gone and it is all asuka now?

Think I am the same as so many others in wanting to build one :pop:
Yeah rebranded asuka :cheers2:
I read the other day that Tamiya are re boxing this and the Firefly Vc with some figures for release as special editions in June...quite reasonable price too. Here's a link to HLj...

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM25175/Mil

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM25174/Mil

If these are the Asuka models, looks like a bargain. (Until customs take a wedge that is)

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 1:12 pm
by Paul
Rob wrote:
Paul wrote:
Lego wrote:Is Tasca (brand) gone and it is all asuka now?

Think I am the same as so many others in wanting to build one :pop:
Yeah rebranded asuka :cheers2:
I read the other day that Tamiya are re boxing this and the Firefly Vc with some figures for release as special editions in June...quite reasonable price too. Here's a link to HLj...

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM25175/Mil

http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM25174/Mil

If these are the Asuka models, looks like a bargain. (Until customs take a wedge that is)
Hmm that will be interesting to see :scratch::

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:33 pm
by gustavlekstal
My second model was a tasca firefly. NOT easy to understand the instruction as a newbie but the next one was a dragon...

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 9:03 pm
by Rob
Great work on the tank Nige, you're rising to the challenge!

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 1:44 am
by snappercity
This looks interesting.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:15 pm
by Nige99
Got the running gear done now! Had a few days off so I'm a bit behind

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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:17 pm
by Nige99
Here's another pic with the suspension working

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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:22 pm
by JayCub
This is one for me to follow along as i keep meaning to get a sherman and get side-tracked by German armor,,, i will wait and see what you do with this build.

Tom

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 8:27 pm
by Paul
Looking good mate, how long did the suspension take?

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2014 11:37 pm
by Coen
That's looking the nuts Nige!
Did you use the little rubber pads.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 6:58 am
by PaulAyrey
Looks great so far

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:17 pm
by Nige99
Paul wrote:Looking good mate, how long did the suspension take?
A few hours Paul. Parts are fiddly and a few stages I could have done with another pair of hands. Makes the Tamiya seem simple.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:19 pm
by Nige99
Coen wrote:That's looking the nuts Nige!
Did you use the little rubber pads.
Taking on the challenge of the tracks tonight Mike :cheers2:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:20 pm
by Paul
Nige99 wrote:
Paul wrote:Looking good mate, how long did the suspension take?
A few hours Paul. Parts are fiddly and a few stages I could have done with another pair of hands. Makes the Tamiya seem simple.
Yeah mate, its gonna look good though dude 8-)

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2014 8:55 am
by Nige99
I can see why you asked me if I've done the tracks yet Mike :jd: what a nightmare I've had with them so far!!! Built one half of the tracks to find out I've done them wrong :eeek:
Never mind I've now Sussed out how to do the remainder. I'll just have to live with the part I've messed up on. :crazy:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 11:08 am
by Nige99
Now building the tracks! Which as been a bit of a nightmare for me!!

There are 3 spru' per track. 77 in all.

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I did mess up and built half the track before I realised how they are put together. Paul told me they are like the Bronco tracks. All I know is they are a nightmare to do. But once built they work well.

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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 11:23 am
by Coen
Cool stuff Nigel, are those tracks workable bud?

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 11:57 am
by Paul
Coen wrote:Cool stuff Nigel, are those tracks workable bud?
The way nige described them to me they sound like the bronco ones, were the centre pad holds them together making them workable :scratch::

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:05 pm
by Nige99
They are if you do them properly Mike :th: but the one in the pic is glued together into two parts so no. :doh:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:29 pm
by Coen
I was going to say that if they are, you could pop one out and tighten the run up a bit. It looks like it's one or maybe two links long. If the idler is still free moving you could move that back a bit too and only take one out.
This is why I always hate doing tracks haha. Fiddly things.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 12:59 am
by EasyEight96
An EasyEight you just grab my attention cant wait to see it done

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:55 am
by Nige99
Coen wrote:I was going to say that if they are, you could pop one out and tighten the run up a bit. It looks like it's one or maybe two links long. If the idler is still free moving you could move that back a bit too and only take one out.
This is why I always hate doing tracks haha. Fiddly things.

Cheers for the advice Mike. I was going to do what you recommend but once the skirts are on it's not really noticeable.

Got a load more progress on this which I'll post pics later.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2014 10:56 am
by Nige99
EasyEight96 wrote:An EasyEight you just grab my attention cant wait to see it done
I hope I don't disappoint you!

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:50 am
by Nige99
Well the tank build is done! It was quite a challenge for me.

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I fitted a after market barrel which Paul gave me. (Cheers mate)

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I was at Paul's yesterday and saying this build is deffiently not for beginners, having only really built Tamiya going into this was a big learning curve. The intructions are not that clear to make head or tail with.
However I did enjoy it and the level of detail to Tamiya is on another level.
Going to get it primed today.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 11:53 am
by Nige99
Forgot to mention I got a Verlinden resin stowage kit for this. Problem is it's not an EasyEight set so most of which won't be used! Gutted. :evil:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 12:08 pm
by JayCub
The build looks amazing, with the resin stowage and some paint on this puppy it should be superb, although it was your first time with these tracks tracks they look the nuts, they are time consuming and are way better than the rubber bands.
now im rubbing my hands and awaiting an update.

Tom

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 2:25 pm
by Rob
Looks wonderful. Looking forward or seeing it painted and kitted out with stowage :th:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:34 pm
by Nige99
Opinions please!!!

I normally use Tamiya olive drab and for the upper parts Tamiya olive drab mix with buff for the highlights.

However I thought I'd give Hannants paint ago and not sure it's the right colour?? Views please.

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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:39 pm
by alextheblue
Apologies Nige, I've been following this build from the start, but haven't got round to posting a comment. :oops:

Think you've done a fantastic job with this one and I personally love the colour! It does exactly what it says on the tin, faded olive drab. Plus the real quality of this kit shines through and you can really see the detail of the casting now you've got some paint down.

Absolute top job!! :th: :th: :clap: :clap:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 2:40 pm
by Coen
It's hard to tell Nige.
In some shots there is some yellow in it and in others its more green. Are you wearing a bright yellow sweater or something when you took the pictures haha.
The shots where it's more green are more accurate for the colour (the front on picture), a yellowish hue would work better for Italy.
If it is a yellow hue to it and you want to adjust it, a green filter might be needed to bring it back a bit.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 5:11 pm
by longlance67
Looking good Nige


shane

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2014 10:25 pm
by Nige99
Cheers for the comments guys. I put this build along side another Sherman
And a M26 Pershing and I do think it's the wrong colour. I've re done it now in the Tamiya XF 52 olive drab and XF57 buff 50/50 mix and I'm a lot happier with the results.
I'll post some pics up tomorrow.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 8:29 am
by Nige99
I think this is a better colour

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Has much as I'm happy with the colour I'm gutted why it's come out blotchy ?? Any ideas guys
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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 1:18 pm
by Coen
I wouldn't worry about the blotchiness Nigel. US Olive Drab faded really badly and rapidly so an exact match is like chasing cats.
It looks really close and once you get a filter on that it will fix 99% of the problems I think. Weathering and washes will fix the rest.
The different coloured barrel is completely cool and I think that you should keep that. They frequently had to change out the barrels on some of the long barrelled guns because the high velocity of the round would warp it. So they would be a different colour then the rest of the vehicle, same with the mantlets, they would take hits all the time and need replacing (if the tank didn't get KOed haha)

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 2:57 pm
by Nige99
Cheers Mike, you know how to make feel so much better :th: didn't really want to do another coat again. :cheers2:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Thu May 01, 2014 4:30 pm
by T3hGuppy
Great job dude.

I agree with Coen the colour will look great after all the finishing on it. :th:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 11:35 am
by Nige99
Got pretty much all the painting now done on this. Only the tracks to paint and a light dusting of buff over the running gear. Then the weathering to do.

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I didn't want to use the decals so opted for painting them on. The black star is from the 35th tank Battalion 4th Division

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I Do want to add some wood grain effect into the tools

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Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 11:54 am
by alextheblue
Wow!! That;s looking really great there Nige - love the colour! :cheers2:

Some great detail painting as well and that MG just looks amazing. Can't wait to see it once you've weathered it up!! :th: :th: :th: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 12:14 pm
by Nige99
Cheers Alex. Yes looking forward to doing the weathering. Got a crew for it and some stowage coming from Legend. Really enjoying doing this one! It's so different to building Tamiya. A real challenge.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 12:41 pm
by Coen
Now that's looking the nutz Nigel!!!
Brave move with the hand painted stars dude, that's a right PITA doing that. Well done. Once you weather and maybe do some chipping those will blend in so nice. Great stuff.

I love that .50 dude, you did a great job on that too. Lots of detail called out on that. Excellent.
I like that you caught the bailing handle made of wood. Nicely done!

One thing on the shovel though. I hope that you haven't got to far ahead yet, I don't like commenting like this on work after it's done. The handle end of the shovel... it's supposed to be metal with that little cross piece made of wood. The shaft is wood, but that end piece is made of metal.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 3:49 pm
by Nige99
Well spotted that man!! Yes I noticed that Mike when I was looking at the book by Steve. So a quick change will be done tonight.

Re: Tasca M4A3 easy eight

Posted: Tue May 06, 2014 7:53 pm
by Donkeywalloper
I think the whole tank is brilliant. The whole effect is superb.
Love it :bow::