My tracks are Chinese R Model tracks and worked great with the blackening solution. Same with the main gun, which is aluminum; I also added the rear basket and updated barrel clamp, both were 3D printed.
A the .50 cal is from Dragon, which is more detailed than the kit supplied one.
@SableLiger what did you use to make the tracks black? I’ve only seen them turn rusty with the solution. Your kit looks perfect.
I got some tamiya putty today and did the turret in it rather then Mr white putty. The results are 100% better than i expected. Maybe it’s the texture or consistency but my vote is tamiya putty for all future steel texture in the future.
I used AK Interactive Track Blackening solution. Sadly, my tracks got rusty, which is kid of what I wanted. It’s mainly because of the alloy used in making the tracks. I’ve found that some metal tracks will turn black while others rust out. If you use R-Model or Friul, which are kind of a white metal/pewter alloy, they’ll rust out, while the tracks made by Sanxin are cast in a different alloy that takes blackening solution better.
As an added detail, I ran an emery board over the teeth to bring out the shiny metal on the tracks.
@SableLiger im thinking of just painting mine. I have the metal primer to paint in them so I’ll do that then do passes with an airbrush. Luckily its black with some some gun metal
Well i finished the dragon kit, and first of all not a horrible kit but it was bad. I’m going to primarily blame it on it being bought from eBay and it’s missing a few parts that’ll need to be fabricated from styrene or hidden with homemade tarps. The muzzle for the gun was brittle and broke easily. I have it on there for now but if i come across a better and intact one I’ll replace it. The tamiya putty is definitely the better option when it comes to doing steel texture. I believe Mr white is good but is a different texture and doesn’t achieve the right results.
Great job so far Geg
Very nicely done Reynier !
I think you’ll find it’s not a great kit to build because it’s a Dragon Sherman 
Your build is looking great.
Cheers,
Ralph
@Jakko yeah I’ll be honest, couldn’t tell you the last time he built a dragon Sherman.
@mech thank you!
I have some spare styrene sheets, looks like i can cut a few pieces and make the covers for the engine deck. Then will go into priming.
Made some considerable headway on the Sherman’s today. Was able to get the main coat of paint on them and do some detail work. Currently redetailing the wheel bogies and running gear then going to add them to the hulls. My hope is that I’ll have the tracks on them by The Weekend, fingers crossed.
Really like that colour 
@bwilt i think I’m starting to get he hang of pre shading and highlighting. I like the consistent. I used Vallejo Sinai Grey 67 and it almost looks more of a tan.
Any recommendations of figures to use as Tank crew members? If i remember correctly the kits the IDF used in 67 were mainly US WW2 uniforms and head gear, if that’s the case what would be some good kit recommendations?
Your build looks excellent. I need to get my M51 on the table again. And the M50 for that matter too.
@SableLiger i saw those, wasn’t sure if the zip up one piece uniform was used in 1967 tho.
@RonW thank you, they are good kits to build. I had a few grievances with the dragon one as it was a bit older and the smaller parts were a bit brittle at times.
For '60’s IDF crew figs I use US WW2 figs in shirtsleeves. There are plenty of good aftermarket heads out there that really work great with plastic torsos or bodies. The IDF used the US tank crew helmet during the Six Day War so your options are plentiful.
I am having some major issues with the tracks supplied. Bad fit and the glue will not bite.
@RonW i just did the first half, i slid them together and built them out first then went back and reapplied glue. I can tell you I’m going to have a fit later this weekend when i go to set them in.
I did get fruil track for the academy kit and now im wondering if i should have just used the rubber bands on the academy and fruil on the dragon.
@rfbaer any repeat figures you like using, I’m assuming summer 44 tank crews or desert crews would suffice? I found a miniart set that looks good, set 3516 and then the old tamiya set 35004. I like the poses on the miniart set.
