Dragon M4 Sherman Normandy

[jomark]

Just finished this kit an hour ago for my 2nd armor kit. I've always wanted to start with a Tamiya Sherman but this kit came in the mail earlier. I still prefer making a tamiya kit since it is less complicated and I have very little time making models. Kit is stock with a bit of stowage (for a stuart I think). Still getting the hang of weathering and color matching for the tracks. One thing I've learned is that I hardly use any of the MIG washes and pigments that I bought. It seems that as long as you have a dark wash, brown wash, umber pigment, light dust, sienna pigment, you're all set to mix and match.

First time to try on a filter as well. Deep green for allied tanks but it seems that it didn't make a difference in the overall shade since it was very close to the color of the basecoat

[Coen]

That's a wonderful piece bud!! Superbly well done.
For your second armour piece it's totally top drawer work.

I agree completely with you on your thoughts on products. I use a few over the counter goodies but mostly I make my own mess.
I just buy a couple of things that it's either too toxic, difficult, or expensive for me to make myself. They tend to be very basic in nature as well, things that I can mix and match easily without blowing up the house.

[jomark]

Thanks!

Yeah the problem is that I was buying washes, pigments, filters left and right even before I started with a kit, since most of my tools and paints were intended for Gunpla (clean builds). Then I realize that most of the effects that I wanted to achieve can be done by pigments. I used to mix my own pin washes but I really have limited time so I opted for ready made products. In fact this kit took roughly less than 12 hours to make yet it took a month from start to end usually 1-2 hours at a time. I still do not know how to use oil based buff properly but I think that will be my next experiment.

[cib2265]

Looks great!

I really like these Dragon Shermans, I only just built my first one a little while ago.

Very good weathering too, especially the dusting on the sides, I like that!

[Tiger131]

Looks superb not to over muddy think it kills a model when it gets to over done but you've nailed the look top marks

[jomark]

Thanks!

@cib2265 - Yeah they are actually pretty detailed but quite a lot of adjustments were needed during building. The guide I saw specific for dragon shermans helped a lot especially for the soldering of the front photo etch fenders.

@Tiger131 - Yeah I don't like it too muddy as well but actually I think this one is a bit over weathered than I wanted. It just doesn't show since I was using a phone camera. Good thing is that you can just wipe off pigments and reapply. Time to make a photo booth

Question though, do you guys use pigment fixers after placing all the pigments? I only use them when I'm trying to mud up the tracks, wheels, and the interior part of the under chassis. All the rest I just leave it to friction and the grip of the surface which is why after building it goes straight to an acrylic display case.

[Panzermeister36]

No way that's your second....awesome work! I do really like the pigments you've done...easy to overdo (I'd know) I like the stowage you've added too, buddy! It adds some realistic interest without being overpowering.

A filter is more for a camo, but it could help to tone down bright decals like this. Have you tried oils? Very useful for making your own washes and streaking effects, and even grime and dust buildups. I really like them

[jomark]

The stowage is a mix of WWII and modern backpacks from the bradley kit. I was thinking of adding a rope or some form of harness for the stowage because it looks unrealistic for the bags to just be placed on top. I think I'll be doing that on the next kit but since I'm a bit hesitant to use string (I don't know how well it receives paint plus making sure the tension is there). I made a few test runs on twisting 30 and 32 gauge wire to mimic rope which will be more malleable and hopefully easier to work with. I think this would be good for making towing cables if you use 24-28 gauge. Here's a test on 30 gauge wire.



Aside from a few bottles of enamel paints, the only oil paint I have is buff and cam olive green from abteilung, which I still haven't tested on how to properly use for streaking. I find that pigments rubbed down gave an almost similar effect. I just got a tamiya panzer III ausf.N and will try those techniques on that kit.

[hansolo]

Awesome job on the painting!
And that wire idea is brilliant.

cheers

[OliveDrab]

Very nice Sherman Makes me want to dig a Sherman kit out of the stash and get cracking on it!

[Chip1942]

Love the weathering, an excellent faded look. Well done!!
With the filters. more than one layer must be applied to 'tint' the color i personally use them to tie the weathering together before i begin applying pigments i recommend MIG filters and 502 abteilung oils thinned down to make filters.

hope this helps

Regards Chip

[jomark]

Thanks Guys!

I'm actually making another sherman now but this time from Tamiya to get the difference in kit quality. So far I'd say the dragon is pretty detailed but the fit and finish of the tamiya is actually pretty good and enjoyable.

[AchtungPanzer]

Looks very realistic, well done !