Model Military International – September 2019

26 Model Military International - September 2019

FEATURE ARTICLE Tasca / Asuka1:35 Sherman III Mid Production (w/Cast Driver’s Hood) • Kit No 35018

WADING CONVERSION

With the lower hull and running gear finished, this

is the best time to start the conversion work.

First, the raised mount for the exhaust must

be removed from the lower rear hull plate,

Part O18. I simply carved this off with a

knife, making sure that all the waste

material was removed so that the big

resin stack mount would fit flush

against the plastic panel.

What you should do next is

prepare the upper hull parts for

the conversion pieces. I didn’t

realise that the hull machine

gun bulge and the front hull

ventilators would have to be cut

down, so I ground these off after

the hull had been attached to the

completed lower hull. Although this

worked out okay for me, it would be much

safer to prepare the upper hull before it is

attached to the lower hull.

I used my Dremel Motor Tool with a round

dental burr to remove the bulge.

Once this preparation is complete, the tools

and other fittings may be glued to the upper hull.

TURRET MATTERS

Additional cast texture was added to the turret

before any of the detail parts were added.

This time I used a heavier duty texturing

medium – Tamiya grey putty (in the tube) mixed

with Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid Cement. The

advantage of this blend is that you can make it

as thick or as thin as you like – just add more

liquid cement or more putty. The disadvantage

is that it stinks to high heaven, so make sure

you have plenty of ventilation.

Once the putty texture had been stippled

with a stiff brush and allowed to dry, the

various attachments were added, including

the wide covered mantlet, the rear stowage

box and the various sights, scopes and smoke

discharger mount.

PAINTING

The model received a coat of Tamiya

Grey Primer straight from the spray

can in preparation for painting.

The turret, upper and lower hull

sub-assemblies were now coated with

White Ensign Models WEMCC ARB 07

Middle Bronze Green BS381C 23 enamel

paint. This was a nice, dark base coat for the

shading colours. This was also the first time I

had used enamel paints for a very long time

• think 40 years – and it was a more pleasant
  experience than I expected. The smell was not
  bad at all, and the paint dried quickly using
  lacquer thinners.
  Mission Models’ range of acrylic paints
  include six shades of Olive Drab. In the past I
  have used up to four of these shades on my
  WWII US subjects, but this time I used
  two – first MMP-024 US Army Olive
  Drab FS 319 followed by a more selective
  application of MMP-021 US Army Olive
  Drab Faded 2.
  This faded shades were applied to the
  horizontal surfaces and the tops of the
  vertical surfaces, with lighter coverage
  on natural shadow areas.

With the lower hull and running gear finished, this

is the best time to start the conversion work.

First, the raised mount for the exhaust must

be removed from the lower rear hull plate,

Part O18. I simply carved this off with a

knife, making sure that all the waste

material was removed so that the big

resin stack mount would fit flush

What you should do next is

prepare the upper hull parts for

the conversion pieces. I didn’t

realise that the hull machine

gun bulge and the front hull

ventilators would have to be cut

down, so I ground these off after

the hull had been attached to the

completed lower hull. Although this

worked out okay for me, it would be much

safer to prepare the upper hull before it is

attached to the lower hull.

I used my Dremel Motor Tool with a round

advantage of this blend is that you can make it

as thick or as thin as you like – just add more

liquid cement or more putty. The disadvantage

is that it stinks to high heaven, so make sure

Once the putty texture had been stippled

with a stiff brush and allowed to dry, the

various attachments were added, including

the wide covered mantlet, the rear stowage

box and the various sights, scopes and smoke

sub-assemblies were now coated with

White Ensign Models WEMCC ARB 07

Middle Bronze Green BS381C 23 enamel

paint. This was a nice, dark base coat for the

shading colours. This was also the first time I

had used enamel paints for a very long time

• think 40 years – and it was a more pleasant
  experience than I expected. The smell was not
  bad at all, and the paint dried quickly using
  
  
  • September 2019
  
  
  
  

Mission Models’ range of acrylic paints

include six shades of Olive Drab. In the past I

have used up to four of these shades on my

Drab FS 319 followed by a more selective

application of MMP-021 US Army Olive

This faded shades were applied to the

horizontal surfaces and the tops of the

vertical surfaces, with lighter coverage

shading colours. This was also the first time I

had used enamel paints for a very long time

• think 40 years – and it was a more pleasant
  experience than I expected. The smell was not
  bad at all, and the paint dried quickly using

The upper hull

and one-piece

cast transmission

housing in place.

Full sponson covers are

included. Fit is perfect.

The large opening in the

engine deck will soon be

covered by plastic, resin

and photo-etch.

The arms of the suspension units

were fixed in place with a brushed

application of Tamiya Extra Thin Liquid

Cement after they were attached to

the hull. This ensured that all twelve

road wheels touched the ground.

B

A