Tamiya's 1/48 scale
M4 Sherman

by Roger Fabrocini
 

Tamiya's 1/48 scale M4 Sherman is available online from Squadron 

This is Tamiya’s new 1/48 scale M4 Sherman tank. Those needing an introduction to this new kit should see Steve Palffy’s review on HyperScale’s review page.

Those needing an introduction to the M4 Sherman Tank just need to get out more.
 

Modeling "Breaks"

I think I can speak for most modelers and say that there comes a time when we need a break, be it from modeling in general, or just a change of scenery. This new Tamiya M4 fit the bill for me.

Being a closet Shermaholic the subject was perfect and being a new product line for Tamiya, in a new scale, I did not know of any resin or photoetched sets to impede the swift completion of the M4.
 

Ignorance is Bliss

My ignorance of available detail sets worked to my advantage. I was forced to exercise my scratch-building skills and avoid an accessory induced drain on my bank account. (though not entirely, as we shall see).

Modeling the Sherman

Welcome to the world of a Shermaholic. A world of cast or welded hulls, various transmission covers, roller mounts, bogie wheels, tracks, hatch covers, wet or dry storage, high or low bustle turrets and a host of other detail ’minefields’. Luckily Tamiya’s Sherman is well detailed and accurate, allowing me to concentrate on refining that detail.

Scratchbuilding Detail

Besides the ’workout” my punch sets got adding bolts to the bogie trucks and hull, I used plenty of .010” plastic rod for periscope guards and grab handles. Hull welds were built up using liquid cement thinned 3M acrylic blue glazing putty. Cast texture of the hull, turret and transmission cover was achieved using a ball cutter in my Dremel tool (thank you Mr. Phil Stutcinskas). If I may be allowed the indulgence, I am most proud of the mantlet detail.

Casting numbers were sourced from a Tamiya P-51B spruce, chiseled off with a scalpel then glued on with Tamiya liquid cement (keeping it all in the family, so to speak) The mantlet mounting screws were made by scribing a thin line in a piece of .010” plastic card then aligning it with the middle of my Waldron punch. Instant screw heads.

Stowage

It may be written somewhere that you can not model a Sherman tank without external storage piled on. Mine were sourced from some 1/72 scale CMK sets I had.

After the model was done I picked up Tamiya’s new jerry can set, and that is where the packs and bucket came from.

The tarp over the storage is foil from a wine bottle.

Painting

I am not being coy when I say I have no idea how I achieved the final finish. Any paint in my possession that was in the green range I sprayed on the Sherman. I will say I started with Mr. Color O.D. 34087 then misted on thinned layers of Aeromaster O.D faded #41 and Tamiya Olive Drab, among others. Post shading with straight Tamiya O.D. and red-brown/black mix was also used.

Weathering

It’s what armour modeling is all about, no? A little bit of controlled wash was used around deep recesses and weld seams. Most weathering was done with weathering powders. CMK Lt. earth and Dk. earth, and a mix of CMK Lt. rust and Black smut were applied both dry and wet. Mig Productions Lt. rust and standard rust were used on the track links. Worn areas were replicated using various grades of lead pencils.

Finishing Touches

All storage , tools and equipment were painted using Vallejo acrylics.

Half way through the build I became aware of Track 48, a Canadian website created by Garfield Ingram, devoted to 1/48 scale armour (who knew?) My obsessive-compulsive tendencies got the best of me and I broke down and acquired a Hauler photo etched set for the turret .50 cal. A nice addition and a fine set.

My little foray into the world of armour modeling gave my a chance to hone some scratch building and weathering skills that I had neglected or forgotten. though I’d rather see Tamiya put their mold machines to use producing plastic wings, I wish them good luck with this product line. A nice diversion for this “flyboy”.
 

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2005 by Roger Fabrocini
Page Created 19 May, 2005
Last Updated 18 May, 2005

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