Rubicon Models
Rubicon Models => Showcase & Gallery => Topic started by: H0ffmn on September 11, 2018, 06:30:44 am
-
[/img]
(https://s33.postimg.cc/qxokx1t4b/20180716_153117_1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qxokx1t4b/)
This is my first attempt at posting a photo on this forum. I hope it works.
It looks like Rubicon will not release their M4A1 kit until some time next year, so I decided to try and convert the Rubicon M4 into a M4A1.
When Rubicon released their M4 and M4A2 (and M4A3), they did not include a hull with the direct vision ports, so I thought that I would give it a try.
I know that Rubicon have posted pictures on this forum of a M4A1 with the direct vision ports that they are to release at some point.
-
Cool!! It worked!!
The first step was to file/sand the angle off of the front upper hull and to cut angles off of the front corner, which will be filled with green stuff and sanded to shape, and to remove the rear portions of the turret splash
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/u0twdxs97/20180720_170445.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/u0twdxs97/)
(http://)
I also added more green stuff to build up the area by the turret splash, and replaced the turret splash to curve out around the gas caps
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/eunundzrv/20180829_202956.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/eunundzrv/)
I then added the direct vision ports. I painted the portions of the hull which I worked on, to check that the area worked on is somewhat close to being correct.
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/uubk3v78b/20180829_203052.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/uubk3v78b/)
This is the almost finished project. I will post more pictures after I finish painting and weathering the M4A1
-
That's an awesome looking A1 . Great kit bash
-
Thanks. I will post more in a few days, after I blend in some of the weathering and dullcoat it. I also started on converting the M4 hybrid into a M4A1 late hull Sherman.
-
Nice job.
Can we see more details of the direct vision ports?
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/sow053fsb/20180911_174308.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/sow053fsb/)
(https://s33.postimg.cc/cqnaeyduj/20180911_174318.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cqnaeyduj/)
(http://)
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/3x0zb2syz/20180911_174217.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3x0zb2syz/)
(https://s33.postimg.cc/3k9l4w2zf/20180911_174239.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/3k9l4w2zf/)
(http://)
I still need to dullcoat the finished model,but that's it
-
Very nice.
-
Nicely done H0ffmn. Finally, a Rubicon Models M4A1 Medium tank! ;)
I'm very tempted to try this kit conversion myself.
I have a couple of questions:
1) Do you have any pictures showing the M4 Bogie to M3 Bogie conversion process?
2) Can you offer a bit more details about how you made the direct vision ports?
As a side question, what colors did you use to paint the model?
-
Great conversion. Very impressive.
-
Thanks for all the comments. I appreciate the feedback.
To answer Track's questions,
1. The bogies were scratch-built using Rubicon spare road wheels from the Allied accessories set, and then cast in resin. I didn't take pictures when I built up the bogie trucks.
2. The direct vision ports were made from strip styrene. I don't know the size of the strips that I used.
When I get home, I will try to post more pictures and what size styrene was used. I will also try to post more pictures of the direct vision ports, the pictures that I posted didn't really show them that well.
Also, I used Vallejo Olive Drab primer, and Vallejo Brown Violet, with lighter shades of Brown Violet by adding Vallejo Light Sand to the Brown Violet.
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/8z1b93nkb/20180912_200907.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/8z1b93nkb/)
(https://s33.postimg.cc/4d570qubf/20180912_200943.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4d570qubf/)
(http://)
Here are pictures of the M3 bogie truck, backed on plastic to be made into a rubber mold, and a cast resin M3 bogie truck.
I used. .080×.188" strip for the main body of the bogie truck , .060 channel for the arms going from the bogie truck to the bogie wheel, .040 ×.040" strips for the lever arm and 1/16" u channel for the rib going up the center of the bogie truck, and the support for the return roller.
I don't remember the other styrene sizes
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/qdljhj5bf/20180912_200753.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/qdljhj5bf/)
(https://s33.postimg.cc/o916gfvyz/20180912_200802.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/o916gfvyz/)
Here are pictures of the direct vision ports in the hull
-
(https://s33.postimg.cc/c75smjmt7/20180912_200556.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/c75smjmt7/)
(https://s33.postimg.cc/6683pgsh7/20180912_200611.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/6683pgsh7/)
(https://s33.postimg.cc/i83hjltzv/20180912_200835.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/i83hjltzv/)
And here are close ups of the direct vision ports. I'm not 100% happy with the results, I may shorten the round ends of the vision ports
-
Brilliant work, I had not noticed the bogies.
-
Tracks, I used .80 styrene angle with .60 styrene angle glued inside of each other to make the direct vision ports
(https://i.postimg.cc/bDB1jcZd/20180925_182011.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bDB1jcZd)
-
The direct vision ports are then lightly sanded on the 'v' edge of the plastic angle
(https://i.postimg.cc/TymP3zNp/20180925_182144.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/TymP3zNp)
The direct vision ports are 5mm long, I measured 1mm in on each side,marked it, and sanded out a section between the two marks on the top side of the plastic angle
(https://i.postimg.cc/6yGDCXR0/20180925_182238.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6yGDCXR0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/YjP54940/20180925_182658.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YjP54940)
-
After dry fitting and attempting to glue a slightly longer than 5mm piece of .40 plastic rod to the edge of the plastic angle port,and not being happy with the results, I decided to glue the rod to the top of the port opening and attaching the port to it
(https://i.postimg.cc/D8jPfJmp/20180925_183342.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/D8jPfJmp)
(https://i.postimg.cc/dLt9KmQT/20180925_183659.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dLt9KmQT)
That's about it for the direct vision ports. You can always file or sand the rear edge of the plastic port to have it sit just slightly outside of the vision slot.
-
I re-made and installed new direct vision ports in my M4A1 Sherman tank,repainted it and dullcoated it.
(https://i.postimg.cc/rzCLHczw/20181002_170513.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rzCLHczw)
(https://i.postimg.cc/RJTGLgSv/20181002_172026.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RJTGLgSv)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ctWX3pND/20181002_172059.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/ctWX3pND)
-
Nice bit of kit bashing . Its so easy now that you've showed us how :)
-
Another picture
(https://i.postimg.cc/RqCPMzXF/20181002_170447.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/RqCPMzXF)
-
Thanks, Ripley.
-
Here are some pictures of my next project, easier than the M4A1 with direct vision ports. I decided on another conversion, a Rubicon M4 composite hull into a late M4A1 .
(https://i.postimg.cc/LJ6rq1Hc/20180819_113212.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/LJ6rq1Hc)
I started by sanding the rear and side upper edges down, rounding them instead of having the sharp edge of the M4 composite hull
(https://i.postimg.cc/06h3HXpv/20180819_113225.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06h3HXpv)
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/Q94qyFLT/20180819_113052.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q94qyFLT)
I then shaved/sanded down the sides of the splash ring, and replaced it with .40 square strips. I also added Greenstuff to areas that needed to be built up. I also removed the gas caps inside by the air filter section
-
(https://i.postimg.cc/sMggVxbX/20180829_202914.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sMggVxbX)
(https://i.postimg.cc/9rpf5Z8K/20180829_202917.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/9rpf5Z8K)
(https://i.postimg.cc/7fDLWmVS/20180829_202932.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7fDLWmVS)
Pictures of the completed hull.
-
I finished the M4A1 76mm tonight, and still need to add stowage and maybe some more weathering and dullcoated.
Here are some pictures
(https://i.postimg.cc/5XD69vv3/20181002_170633.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5XD69vv3)
(https://i.postimg.cc/nXXXtTsr/20181002_170657.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nXXXtTsr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/KRq1VC8C/20181002_170708.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRq1VC8C)
(https://i.postimg.cc/n9nsbJ7f/20181002_170721.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/n9nsbJ7f)
-
More pictures with a better picture of the front
(https://i.postimg.cc/XXXSLPtr/20181002_170920.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXXSLPtr)
(https://i.postimg.cc/5QXhtH8B/20181002_171842.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5QXhtH8B)
-
Another great looking kit bash .
-
They are brilliant.
Thanks for the method of doing the direct vision ports. Inspired.
-
Nicely done H0ffmn. Finally, a Rubicon Models M4A1 Medium tank! ;)
I'm very tempted to try this kit conversion myself.
I have a couple of questions:
1) Do you have any pictures showing the M4 Bogie to M3 Bogie conversion process?
2) Can you offer a bit more details about how you made the direct vision ports?
As a side question, what colors did you use to paint the model?
Yes, how did you remove bogie and wheel sets from a set of tracks without destroying the tracks?
-
Yes, how did you remove bogie and wheel sets from a set of tracks without destroying the tracks?
Unfortunately I destroyed the bogie wheels and bogie trucks when removing them from the track unit. I removed the bogie assemblies by cutting with a sprue cutter and saw, just above the track guide teeth.I then used an exacto knife to cut between the track guide teeth and bogie wheels, down to the inside edge of the track links , cutting into the bogie wheels and return rollers as to not damage the track guide teeth. Then I cut and carved the bogie wheels from the opposite side to the edge of the hopefully undamaged track guide teeth.
Good luck, go slow and be careful
-
You could cut out the earlier M-3/M-4 bogie assemblies as complete units, by cutting into the track links between the links, and remove the assemblies. You would have to first make sure that the track links will line up with the section of track with the extended end connectors. Then do the same to the section of tracks with the extended end connectors, and then glue the two sections together to form a new section of track.
You would then have to cut the extended edge connectors off of the section of track/bogie wheel assemblies that you cut out , at the edge of the extended edge connectors and track links,, and glue them onto the new made section of tracks.
-
Yes, how did you remove bogie and wheel sets from a set of tracks without destroying the tracks?
Unfortunately I destroyed the bogie wheels and bogie trucks when removing them from the track unit. I removed the bogie assemblies by cutting with a sprue cutter and saw, just above the track guide teeth.I then used an exacto knife to cut between the track guide teeth and bogie wheels, down to the inside edge of the track links , cutting into the bogie wheels and return rollers as to not damage the track guide teeth. Then I cut and carved the bogie wheels from the opposite side to the edge of the hopefully undamaged track guide teeth.
Good luck, go slow and be careful
That sounds reasonable, the left over T41 track can be used as spare track armor on other vehicles inside out, or perhaps even equipped with later bogies to be recycled although that type of track disappeared almost immediately after NA campaign.
BTW, I meant to compliment you on your fantastic conversions, awesome work!
Your late M4A1 76mm needs a sharp nose FDA but with your skills it wouldn’t be too much trouble to add a couple strips of styrene to anchor your putty and then have fun sculpting the shape. I did that once back in the 1990s with a DML kit that had an early cast FDA but the decal options were all for vehicles with later style FDAs
I’m probably going to have to relearn out how to make those because the RM M4 and the M4 hybrid need a late FDA to build them correctly (all hybrid M4s had them and also the LH M4) and unfortunately they don’t come in the box. That’s kind of like the sand shields are not included in the M4A1 kit although the brit variant it can build (sherman ii) always had sand shields in the desert.
-
Thanks.
You could use the sand shields from the M-4 kit, but you will have to modify them to fit the M4A1
-
Hoffmn,
Today, I did what you said and took the sand shields from the M4 kit, they were a shade too long and missing the inside face so I took and additional set from my M4 hybrid kit and inverted the inside detail.
An added benefit is that this allowed me keep the upper hull separate for now for painting the tracks
(https://i.postimg.cc/YhWxshs5/42-D05-B7-A-94-A0-4-CB4-A08-A-D5321551-CED4.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/YhWxshs5)
(https://i.postimg.cc/K1h5SmXR/4-B9-A9-B49-6-F24-40-C8-A25-C-1-EB9913-D925-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/K1h5SmXR)
-
Yeah, it's not a perfect fit, nice job!
-
Yeah, it's not a perfect fit, nice job!
Hoffmn, I hope it’s okay I posted those pictures on your thread. I’m not trying to hijack your thread. I just think those conversions are too nice to let them disappear into the old thread bin;)