That looks much better!
2 Likes
Even better Erwin. 
2 Likes
Track looks totally different now. Nice work mate.
3 Likes
Thanks fellas!
2 Likes
Much better indeed!
2 Likes
9 Likes
Hospital stay and being worn down has kept me from the bench. Feeling better today, so I did some detail work on the Toon Sherman.
Detail paint on the tools, painted the Calliope’s springs, and painted the rubber on the road wheels. I also worked a bit on the toon .50 cal.
Next paint is to finish the tools (wood handles) and then the insides of the Calliope tubes.
Mike
11 Likes
No offense intended here but I try so hard to build scale accurate models, Changing engine decks and scratch building missing parts that I just do not get the idea of the “toon tanks or toon anything”.
If I want a break from this intense type of building I will instead choose to build a years old Tamiya (easier) kit such as a Stuart or the M-20/M-8.
Just my personal opinion. To each his/her own.
p.s. Sorry for your medical problems.
4 Likes
I build the Toon models for a couple of reasons. I personally think they’re neat/funny. They’re simple, can be upgraded (in the sense of other toon parts like the .50 and the Calliope), and can be detailed (to an extent). They’re a break from an intense (lots of PE, resin, etc upgrades) build.
You are correct though - “To each his/her own.”
Mike
10 Likes
A Quick question for the Sherman experts. What would be the color of the engine and the sides of the engine bay? This is an A1 in Italy in 1943-44.
Google search seems to give varying colors…
4 Likes
Engine compartment would generally be white all-over, the engine is a little harder to explain in a few words, but Maple Leaf Up has pictures of real ones.
3 Likes
Jakob, thanks for the insights. It will be white engine bay and metallic and black engine.
Appreciate the quick reply 
1 Like
The harp that supports the rear of the radial engine is also white.
1 Like
Just a quick google search for Sherman radial engines:
Also a smaller Continental aircraft radial a friend of mine has hanging in his garage/museum:
6 Likes
I want a garage like your friend’s…
2 Likes
Please correct your autocorrect 
One thing I forgot yesterday is to post a photo of the engine of the MiniArt M3 medium tank I built a few years ago:
The engine support is primer red here instead of white, but both were possible. I painted it like this mainly for a bit more variation of colour, for interest.
I based these colours on photos of an engine restored by BAIV, but they’ve taken down the page with photos (I checked that first yesterday), and though the Wayback Machine does have the relevant page, it doesn’t have the pictures 
4 Likes
You should see it. Stationary gas engines, large and small. Bell tower clock movements, railroadaiana and the occasional radial engine.
I thought this reference would be good as to achieving that “burnt aluminum” patina on the cylinders. Most of the engine is either raw aluminum or raw steel as paint only adds another layer of unwanted insulation to an air cooled engine.
Another color reference from the local Aviation Museum:
Operating Ford Tri-Motor - Literally just landed.
New Orleans - B-17 - Again showing that brownish, “burnt patina” for the cylinders.
3 Likes
