Hobby Boss M4A3

[stillp]

Well, after finishing my Tiger helichopper, I thought I'd try something simpler. After a browse among the stashes, I picked a 1/48 M4A3 Sherman from Hobby Boss. No canopy to mask, just a few simple decals... This'll be my first build in this scale as well as my first kit from this maker.
[ATTACH]309168[/ATTACH]
As you can see from the labels, I bought it cheap at a show somewhere.[ATTACH]309169[/ATTACH]
Rubber band tracks... Also a small etch fret. The lower hull is packed sitting in a card jig, which I assume is to help with assembly of the suspension.
[ATTACH]309170[/ATTACH]
8 sprues, in 5 separate bags. Very little flash visible, quite a lot of ejector pin marks, but they seem to be in out-of-the-way places.
I'll make a start.

Pete

[Jon Heptonstall]

Does it really say Tamk on the box?
There's a good review of this on Terry's PMMS site with a few interesting points.
Jon.

[Guest]

Does it really say Tamk on the box?

It does appear to … Shades of “No agglutinate!” I suppose.

[stillp]

Yes, it really does say "TAMK"! Then again, my spelling in Mandarin is even worse...
Thanks for the head-up Jon, I'll have a look at that.

I take back my statement about 'very little flash' - there's a fair bit, and some fit issues. First task is to assemble the suspension bogies, some of which have a bad step on one of the parts, leading to a nasty gap:[ATTACH]309333[/ATTACH]
Easily fixed by shaving off the step. There's some nice detail on these:
[ATTACH]309334[/ATTACH]
The wheels all needed filing out to fit on the axles. The parts of all 6 bogies have had a first coat of olive drab primer, since it'll be impossible to paint inside them after assembly.

Pete

[Steve Jones]

Ahhhh....the joys of sanding and cutting things to fit. I am amazed some manufacturers stay in business with the quality of their kits. However the detailing looks okay. Look forward to seeing your progress. Good luck Pete

[stillp]

Thanks Steve. Taking a break for a few days, it's too hot!

Pete

[stillp]

Actually I'd forgotten to post pics of yesterday's progress!

The lower hull has had various bits added, and the engine deck added to the upper hull:
[ATTACH]309640[/ATTACH]
These towing shackles were a pig to clean up, being so small.
[ATTACH]309641[/ATTACH]
One of the suspension bogies, in primer:
[ATTACH]309642[/ATTACH]
The track idler wheels, again in primer:
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More when the weather cools down a bit.

Pete

[JR]

Pete.
Hobby Boss, as Allen Dewire told me on my T40S , plenty of small mini builds to achieve a part other manufactures would do in one . Detail is pleasing , I will follow along please .
John.

[Mini Me]

Yes, this interests me as well, Will be following closely.
Cheers, Rick H.

[stillp]

Hi John and Rick - since my audience is growing I'd better get on with it! Still too hot to paint, but I've managed to stick a few more bits together. HB kindly provide some stowage, but it'd be even kinder if the parts fitted together:
[ATTACH]309776[/ATTACH]
Still, nothing that a smear of filler won't fix.
Lower hull has had the suspension bogies added:
[ATTACH]309778[/ATTACH]
The instructions state to add the drive sprockets and idler wheels at this stage, but since they have to be glued on, I'll leave them until the tracks can be fitted. I'll brush pain the rubber on the road wheels after the hull is painted.
Upper hull has had lights, lifting rings, travel lock and machine gun added:
[ATTACH]309780[/ATTACH]
Next is some PE for headlight protectors and rear light covers. I'm leaving the tools off until the hull is painted. Anyone know if Mr Hobby Aqueous will be OK over Vallejo primer?

Pete

[Steve Jones]

Looking good Pete. No idea about Mr Hobby but hopefully one of the guys will help out soon. Great stuff

[stillp]

A little more done. Some of the detail on this model is really good - but then look at this awful attempt at a spotlight:
[ATTACH]310067[/ATTACH]
Looks as if they intended to provide a lens or something to go on it, but they haven't. The back of the spotlight is rather nice though.
[ATTACH]310068[/ATTACH]
First couple of bits of PE added, brush guards for the headlights
[ATTACH]310069[/ATTACH]

Sherman experts will have noticed in the first picture that the .30 calibre co-axial machine gun is missing, and the gunner's sight hole is filled in - that's because some idiot stuck the MG in the wrong hole, so cut it off flush. The hole has now been drilled back out, and a bit of styrene rod used to replace the .30 cal.

Pete

[Mini Me]

Minor setbacks aside, it seems to be progressing nicely.
Regards, Rick H.

[stillp]

Well, one of the rear lights just fell into place. The other one had to be rescued from the carpet monster about 3 times, losing its PE lens in the process! Eventually got it fitted, and the guards bent up and glued on.
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Then some paint:
[ATTACH]310469[/ATTACH][ATTACH]310470[/ATTACH]
Not very happy with the painting - I think the 0,2mm needle for my Infinity is damaged. Doesn't seem to be seating in the nozzle properly. I'm out at a classic car show tomorrow, but when I get back I'll give the nozzle a blast in the ultrasonic cleaner, but if that doesn't help I'll have to order a new set.
The rubber band tracks have had a coat of Holts' Plastic Primer, which seems to stick in spite of the flexibility of the tracks. It's a very bright reddish colour though, brighter than it looks here:
[ATTACH]310471[/ATTACH] It'll all get covered up with a more appropriate colour, when I've decided what to use. Any suggestions anyone? Tamiya red brown?

Pete

[Guest]

In my mind Sherman tracks tend to rust more toward a sandy brown colour than to red brown, but Tamiya Red Brown tends to be a decent default choice for any type of track anyway