Tamiya

1/35 M4 Sherman Early Production

Kit Number: 35190

Reviewed by  Jack Bruno, IPMS# 25313

MSRP: $41.00 This is my second Sherman build in a year and I don't know why I've never tackled one before. Tamiya's Early Sherman was purchased at the IPMS/ROSCOE-TURNER Show last March for ten bucks ... to make it even more interesting I found the Verlinden Stowage set for the same price. To triple my fun I picked up the 105 version from TAMIYA for the same price. I started out by following the directions step by step but altering my approach when it came to wheels. I had a set of Formation solids around so I randomly put a couple on each side, favoring the front bogies. Nice touch that stands out a bit. The front hull was a blast, with the one-piece sandbag armor that Verlinden included in the set. This not only fit very well after some minor sanding, but assured me that I would not have to fiddle with all of the light guards, which went into the spares box for future projects. With all of the main assemblies built, I gave the entire kit a coat of Tamiya Flat Black. Progressive shades of green were sprayed to give it depth. Mind you, keep the turret off during this process or else you'll weld it to the hull during painting. Once I was satisfied with the paint job, the real fun began as I started to scope out all the neat stuff in the Verlinden set. The Cullin Hedgerow Cutter was just fantastic and after test fitting it, decided to mount it at the very end (sort of like breaking a Champagne bottle over the hull :). It's different from the cutters I've seen in the past, very sinister looking - I like that. I tracked down some scale rope and used it as tie downs for the stowage on the rear deck. Several cans and G.I. issue equipment were well represented along with packs/bags/ammo. I had gads of stuff left over too. All of these add on accessories were hand painted. I also used different shades to show new/used equipment. The .50 cal MG was then built and painted/mounted in the appropriate position. The wash is my favorite stage of modeling because it highlights and brings out all of the kits detail and your hard work. My Sherman was coated with Future and set aside for a few hours while I started work on another project. After that, I gave the kit three washes of Windsor-Newton Van Dyke Brown. While it was drying I messed with it a bit to get it where I needed it to be. On the undercarriage I put down a Black wash of the same brand. The tracks were washed in soapy water and after drying sprayed dark gray and given the FUTURE treatment as well. Two liberal washes of Burnt Sienna brought out all of the fine detail. After sitting for about a day I took a clean (new) pair of cotton panties (don't laugh, they work and come in a variety of colors). Gently rub the surface of the tank and remove some of the excess oil film. Things will really start to come out at you now. Pleased with my handiwork, I brought out the dry brush colors and decided to stick with a light yellow (Zinc Chromate works) and White. After a day's work on the finish, it was done. After the tracks were mounted, my Sherman was given a Flat Coat with Testors Dullcote (from a spray can). The .50 cal and cutter were mounted, and another one out the door. The Tamiya kit gets high marks from me for being such a pleasure to build, but it was the Verlinden Set that made the effort more than worth while and unique.

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