Stikpusher

Thank you Chris. According to Scalemates, Italeri first issued this kit in 1978. I have a 1979 Testors boxing. This is kinda fun upgrading an engine compartment. I’ve never gone down that route before.

So today was spent doing steps 5, 6, & 7. Although step 6, adding parts to the underside of the upper hull, and 7, finishing the fender items and attaching the engine and upper hull to the lower hull, I only did partially due to my choice to upgrade the engine compartment. I am also backdating the kit to an early production model, so I had to swap out the driver and assistant driver hatches periscope brush guards for the older type used, rather than what comes with the kit. Fortunately I have some in my spares bin. and lastly I started detailing the engine part that c

One small update from yesterday’s work: I forgot to get a better shot to show the sidewall wood grain effort and now that the oil wash on the engine has dried and I do not need to worry about it staining my photo booth, here’s a photo of the engine

My wife was eavesdropping my hobby club online zoom meeting over the weekend. She thought that we sounded like an AA meeting as we made the rounds during the self introductions... “I’m Carlos and I’ve been building models since...” 🤣 🤣 🤣

Today’s update: I took a shot at using oils for a wood grain appearance. First step, I mixed up a brown shade and then applied it over the interior wood surface areas Next step I used a thinner moistened brush to remove much of the oil paint and leave a streaking that resembles wood grain The final look... any resemblance to actual wood grain is more luck than anything else. This technique is actually going to take lots of practice to get a handle on it.

Thank you Chris. I did indeed have some interesting times in my service career. As I’m sure that you did as well. I may have done some things differently if given the chance to do them again, but I would not trade the experience of doing them for anything. I’m kinda funny about “thank you for your service” coming from a fellow army vet. It feels more like thanks for choosing to come along and be one of us. I remember taking turns learning to drive a 113 at Ft. Benning...

It comes with a 12 Steps pamphlet for styreneaholics anonymous... 😉

When I was Regular Army Mech, I was 11HE9, ITVs. During that time I was twice assigned as the platoon leaders driver/RTO. Which meant I got to take care of the platoon command track all by myself, and when we did dismount ops, I had to hump the radio in addition to my own gear. Always fun during July at Ft Polk. I got to work with our Battalion Scout platoon on a few occasions. Real good guys led by an old school Sgt when I first was assigned. He was prior RLI in Rhodesia before that fell apart and he came to the US and enlisted. Later on I was 11B before moving on to other MOSs in the Guard.

A very well worded explanation on track tension, track pin bushings, and why it is maintained as such Chris. Sounds like we’ve had similar experiences with tracks... 😉 It’s fun to drive or ride in the things, but keeping them in working condition sucks. Lol! That’s one reason I don’t like indie track links too much... reminds me of working on the real damned things... lol! Im looking forward to this Sherman of yours. Thanks for looking in on my Patton.

I think that you mentioned that you were in the area at the last AMPS Zoom meeting. I’m in Goodyear on the edge of civilization under the flight path for Luke’s outbound aircraft. Not too much around me but lots of open space. I love the cost of living here compared to So Cal. My retirement pension will go much farther out here. Im looking forward to seeing your M48 and M60 here. My M46 that I finished last month is here in the armor section if you want to check it out sometime.

Welcome to the area Tony 😉 Aren’t you over near Mesa now? Today’s update: I finished steps 3 & 4, adding the shocks, road wheels, and return rollers to the suspension. Next session will be where I start dealing with the upper hull and upgrading tne engine compartment.

Thanks Gil. I haven’t had the stones to try a new tool WWI kit yet. Although I do have several of those in my stash. I want more experience before I start working on the new tool kits.

US tracks should have minimal sag. They have live track with rubber bushings that push back against sag. Plus crews are supposed to maintain proper track tension on top of that. Those are beautifully detailed tracks though.

I’m happy to make somebody laugh Dave. And your work on this one sure put a smile on my face. Outstanding work and subject!

Hey Tony, good to see you here! Thanks for the encouragement on the engine detailing. Hopefully that will not slow this build down too much. I’d still like to also do a M48 as well for the GB. They haven’t given a hard date to wrap up the Patton GB on the Zoom meetings yet, but based off our last similar efforts, I’d take a guess of late July of having them finished.