The pesky rubber and tracks were replaced with R-Model tracks after a quick treatment with AK Interactive blackening solution, which actually trusted them up nicely
Pre-fitted everything to make sure it all goes in as it should. The rest basket and travel lock came from Shapeways and are definitely an improvement over the stock parts.
I had the Indy tracks built prior to assembling the kit; I finished weathering the tracks while watching TV and I said to myself, “Ah! Why not?” And decided to build the kit.
Yes, they’re pretty easy to assemble. kind of like Modelkasten. The main advantage is that the pins are already cut to length and don’t have to deal with the spool.
One question to everyone that has already built this kit. Which color did you choose for the canvas dust cover around the main gun mantlet? Did you paint it in a different color or just left it she same color as the rest of the vehicle?
I am thinking of painting it in Khaki, so it contrasts with the main armor picture, but because it is a bit hard to find color images of the M51 as they were in 1967, I’m having a hard time trying to figure what color to use (if any).
Looking at this picture from Yad La-Shiryon (israeli Armored Forces Museum). It clearly shows the canvas is painted like the rest of the vehicle. But considering that the display vehicle has been painted multiple times over the course of its existence at the museum, it does not tell me accurately if the vehicle was tlike that during its time in active service with the IDF.
Looking good. I always liked the look of the Israeli Shermans. I need to build one for myself. I did an IDF M1 a while ago for a client, but have none for myself.
Tamiya sells two versions of the M51; the base edition, which is the one that I bought (35323), and an upgraded version (25180) that includes a set of Photoetched detail parts, made by Aber.
I bought the base kit, plus purchased separate parts from the Dragon M51 Sherman (mainly the PE parts and fuel cans with racks) and the stowage from the Dragon IDF M3 Halftrack.
I’ll continue tackling the detail painting as I go. I’m working afternoons, so I don’t have much time to sit down and really work on this kit until the weekend.
Not safe enough. This is more like it…
