Rubicon Models

Rubicon Models => Showcase & Gallery => Topic started by: Pinky on March 27, 2018, 08:34:43 pm

Title: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on March 27, 2018, 08:34:43 pm
Following on from the British Sherman's thread, here is my Rubicon Sherman III.  I've wanted to have a kit of this version of the Sherman for the longest time.  It went together quickly, and Rubicon's accessories proved very useful for representing a British Sherman in the Mediterranean in 1943.  I like it so much I'm going to build another one.

I'm also building a couple of Sherman Ic Hybrid Fireflies.  I'll put up some photos when there's something worth showing.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/4jiy9n8dn/IMG_20180327_2023147.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/4jiy9n8dn/)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on March 27, 2018, 09:34:44 pm
Nice job.

The contrast between the original plastic and the new plastic is notable.

I look forward to seeing it painted.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Pinky on March 27, 2018, 11:58:03 pm
The new plastic colour is far easier to work with.  Makes the model look better too - not sure why.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Tracks on March 28, 2018, 04:45:25 am
I know its the lighting plus camera, but the plastic looks green-gray instead of gray. Its a nice color. As for the kit itself, Rubicon's Sherman III model kit goes together nicely. In fact, all the Rubicon kits I have assembled to date have gone together nicely. Rubicon makes building models easy!

I really should get a box or two of the stowage sets.

Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Pinky on March 28, 2018, 08:45:38 am
It is indeed a grey-green colour, but much lighter than these photos suggest.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Tracks on March 28, 2018, 06:21:57 pm
It is indeed a grey-green colour, but much lighter than these photos suggest.

I did not really notice this before. I was thinking the plastic was just a mid-gray, but looking at the plastic again and paying more attention to color, it does have a slight tint of green. For me, I think the new color Rubicon is using is better than the old color.

(https://s19.postimg.org/buxz6lqoj/RM_Pak40_rs.jpg)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Pinky on March 28, 2018, 11:29:19 pm
Hmmm - an issue with the Hybrid.  It should have the 'sharp-nosed' differential housing, as this seems to have been fitted to all M4 Composites.  But the kit only has the earlier 'rounded' housing, and I've already attached it to both models.  I guess I can hack them off [edit: it snapped off rather too easily!]
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Pinky on March 31, 2018, 10:34:57 am
I picked up a couple more Sherman kits to see if I could mix and match them to get the right sharp-nosed transmission housing for the Hybrid (from the M4A2 76mm kit).  I now have all the Rubicon Shermans!  I have to say, the M4 is pretty nice as well, so I decided to have a Ic and a Ic Hybrid (different types often appeared in the same unit).  The Ic will have the rounded transmission housing, which seems to be accurate.

I found that the sharp nosed transmission housing isn't a perfect fit; if you insert the strip of retaining bolts (SF08), the hull doesn't sit level.  I'll leave it off and cover the gap with stowage.

I started another thread on the Fireflies.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on March 31, 2018, 03:50:17 pm
Looking good.

Useful to know about the bolt strip.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Sherman III
Post by: Tracks on March 31, 2018, 04:58:43 pm
[edit: it snapped off rather too easily!]

Did you use Revell glue?  :o

Pinky, have you tried the fit of the sharp-nosed housing from the M4A3 (280042) kit? Part number D22 in dark green colored plastic. It probably has exact same dimensions as the later (gray colored) kits, but I'm now curious how well part D22 from the earlier M4A3 kit will fit.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on March 31, 2018, 06:24:30 pm
I used Tamiya extra thin, but it's cloudy (from absorbing sanded plastic particles).  I think that's affecting it.

D22 is from the 76mm turret sprue common to the M4A3 and M4A2 kit; it's the component that I used.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on March 31, 2018, 08:04:15 pm
Thanks for the part reference, luckily that was not the cover I used on my M4A3E8, so I have one for my hybrid.

While searching through my sprue drawer, I also found the spare 76mm T34 turret base from the T34/85 kit, so no excuse for not completing the destroyed turret.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on April 01, 2018, 01:39:56 am
Here is the 2nd Sherman III.  For this one I decided to fit the stowage brackets.  This meant removing the rear section of the sandshields, and attaching part of the sponsor floor section.  It proved quite straightforward.  This model was assembled with Plastic Magic, which works very well - unlike Tamiya Exta Thin, it fills gaps.

I still need to fill the joins on the rear hull plate.

(https://s17.postimg.cc/cnr2dxzt7/IMG_20180401_0133302.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/cnr2dxzt7/)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on April 01, 2018, 02:32:31 am
Nice job.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ripley on April 01, 2018, 07:13:23 am
Very nice .  And how many Shermans do you have now ?
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on April 01, 2018, 11:16:29 am
WiP or in the course of painting (all Rubicon):

M4A3E8 - just finished it; still looking for crew
M4A3 (76mm) - the old kit, upgraded with new bits
M4A3 (75mm) - the old kit, upgraded with new bits
M4A3E4 - ie Oddball’s Sherman
3 Sherman IIIs
Sherman Ic Firefly
Sherman Ic Hybrid Firefly

There are more still in the box.  Sadly a couple of the finished builds got damaged in a recent move and need repairing.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ripley on April 01, 2018, 12:20:03 pm
Do you play Bolt Action and how many can you use at one time in the game ?
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on April 06, 2018, 09:49:12 am
I do play Bolt Action, although not often and not for a while.  You can only use 1 Sherman in a game, although if you play Tank War you can take larger numbers.  Tank War isn't a great ruleset for armoured combat, however - I'm hoping they overhaul it.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Rubicon Models on April 06, 2018, 11:28:08 am
There is a new quick tank game from the guys at "Too Fat Lardies", which seems to be very interesting!

https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product/what-a-tanker-complete-advanced-order-bundle/

;)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Tracks on April 06, 2018, 03:15:16 pm
There is a new quick tank game from the guys at "Too Fat Lardies", which seems to be very interesting!

https://toofatlardies.co.uk/product/what-a-tanker-complete-advanced-order-bundle/

;)

It will be released on April the 9th, 2018, but has anyone tried "What a Tanker!" yet? (test players)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on April 24, 2018, 12:28:06 am
Now there are 3...
(https://s31.postimg.cc/p9228x2nr/IMG_0137.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/p9228x2nr/)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on April 24, 2018, 12:34:01 am
Apart from British-style stowage, I've added some detail to the rear plate on the vehicles with their sandshields partially removed (which covers the joins), and inserted the missing inner section of the rear sandshields.  One tank has a .30 cal mounted on the cupola, as the British seem to have preferred this to the .50 cal. 
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on April 24, 2018, 01:08:36 am
Well done, very nice.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Tracks on April 24, 2018, 01:10:26 am
Looking good!
Extra storage gives them personality.
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ripley on April 24, 2018, 04:17:23 am
Well done
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Jimmy_P on April 24, 2018, 06:14:33 am

They're looking good!  :)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: Pinky on May 02, 2018, 12:49:16 am
Assembly finished, I think.  I re-did the petrol can stowage by adding a rack (a typical fitting on Shermans in Sicily), but I didn’t do a very good job :-[

(https://s31.postimg.cc/mgt5ojbh3/162_DD66_F-9154-4151-8_F4_D-_CC3_DEE51_CF01.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/mgt5ojbh3/)
Title: Re: WIP Rubicon Shermans
Post by: ultravanillasmurf on May 02, 2018, 05:22:14 am
Nice.