Starting a 1/32 tank model tomorrow

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:57 pm

Hi, Got a new 1/32 monogram Sherman tank today at hobby shop. Read the paper work tonight. Thinkng on starting it tomorrow. Any helpfull tips out there. Track my be the hardest part by looking at it.
Thanks, bandit

grockwood · Post by **grockwood** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 8:56 am

I've built a couple of those Shermans in the past. What question do you have about the tracks? They should be an one piece loop that slips over the drive sprocket and then the rear idler. Before you paint them, you should wash them to remove any oils. I painted them flat black overall and the painted the end pieces a rust color. After installing the tracks they get black washed and then dry brushed with a light color. Here are a couple of shots of my custom late model M4 I built about 20 years ago. The tracks and suspension arent from the kit but they give you the idea of how to finish them..

http://community.webshots.com/photo/ful ... 1779GniPoB

http://community.webshots.com/photo/ful ... 1779AWmTqm

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 11:05 am

Hi I always had trouble with that kind of track coming apart. guess I'll try super glue. Thanks,

GI546 · Post by **GI546** » Wed Mar 03, 2010 12:47 pm

good luck!
i've never built a tank model before but i'm thinking about starting a tamiya 1:35 kit once i'm done with the 1:35 german tank crew at rest.

krieglok · Post by **krieglok** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:22 am

Bandit wrote:Hi I always had trouble with that kind of track coming apart. guess I'll try super glue. Thanks,

Take a small nail, heat it on the stove and press/melt the pins on the assembled joint...and glue it. Do they still show that process in the instructions?

It would not surprise if they dont as so many young model builders have lit them selves on fire and burned their houses down attempting the assembly of the track.

Seriously though, they are great starter kits and you should have a good time building it. I certainly did, 30 years ago...

TJ

Post by **aferguson** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:29 am

super glue may not be very effective on the plastic tracks. A quick a dirty way is to simply staple them together and then cover up the staples with a bit of mud etc.

ostketten · Post by **ostketten** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:53 am

A quick a dirty way is to simply staple them together and then cover up the staples with a bit of mud etc.

It's an old but very effective method for joining the track ends. I used it many times back in the days when I used to actually build models.

Panzer_M · Post by **Panzer_M** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 12:25 pm

The treads are a vinyl..which makes alot of glues and paints unable to bond with them. Plus by themselve they will dry, crack and break over the years.

Dragon DS tracks, which are also one piece flex-treads are a modern and so much better take on this system.

but for me, when I build 1/35 I use white metal individual links which are held together with pins I cut from .20 steel rod. I like the weight for proper sag, and I like the fact they are workable too.

last set of metal treads I build for a Luchs.

[CAT]CplSlade · Post by **[CAT]CplSlade** » Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:29 pm

Um, is that your address showing on the invoice, bucko? You might want to spend a moment in MS Paint.

Bandit · Post by **Bandit** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 2:06 pm

Hi , Did the Sherman {M-4}at any time have a Lee [M-3} bogie wheel assembly?
I built this model out of the box and then found out the wheel assembly is not right. Not done yet with this model and I did want to put together same way I did 20 years ago.
Maybe the early Sherman did have this bogie wheels. Anyone???

grockwood · Post by **grockwood** » Wed Mar 10, 2010 6:31 pm

The Monogram M4 and M4A1 are very early Sherman versions. Besides the three piece housing they have the return roller on top bogie assembly and the driver and co-driver have the direct vision ports instead of the later flip up style vision periscopes. They saw action in Tunisia and I have seen photos of a Sherman with that style bogie used in Italy. The M4 model also has the early M34 main gun mantlet that doesn't cover the whole gun mount. Here are a couple of photo links I did find. Not the best but if you closely you will se the early bogies.

http://www.752ndtank.com/images/M4Livorno3-stamped.jpg

http://www.752ndtank.com/images/M4LateWar4-stamped.jpg