1/16 Sherman M4A3E8 Tank

[drums01]

Been a member here for long time but only spuradically active with open wheel builds. I guess this is no different as I'm posting a rather large kit Jarrod (my special needs son) and I just finished.

Thanks for checking it out. Your feedback is encouraged as Jarrod really enjoys me reading him your responses.

MODEL: Sherman M4A3E8 "Easy Eight"
SCALE: 1/16
MANUFACTURER: Andy's Hobby Headquarters (TACOM)
PAINTS: Tamiya, Testors M-Master, Vallejo, MIG, Artist oil free pastels, water color pencils.

Completed by my special needs son and I over a 7 month period. Kit replicates the tank "Attila" of the 18th Tank Battalion, 8th Armored Division, Harz Mountains, Germany, April 1945. The detailed build log can be found within this forum's armor section.

Along the way, there were several aftermarket and scratch items added:

- Peddinghaus 1/16 US Uniform Insignia and Division Officer Badges
- Archer (90mm - 1/4) Photorealistic Human Eyeball Decals
- 1/16 Scale US Tank Accessory Set C K Ration Boxes
- Peddinghaus 1/16 .30 Cal M19A1 Ammo Can & .50 Cal M2 Ammo Box Markings WWII
- 1/16 Allied Tank Bits #3 - 16-ATB-03 - For Shermans
- MIG 7168 Flesh Tone Paint Set
- Vallejo Rust and Chipping Effects Paint set
- 1/16 Sherman Tank Crew (resin four figure set from China)
- Various shades of Vallejo Textured Mud Paints
- All straps, slings, and tie-downs made from scratch using lead foil and PE spares
- Scratch built microphone sets and helmet cords for tank crew
- Scratch built lower torso's for the driver and hull machine gunner.
- Forearms and hands added to driver and hull gunner
- Scratch built fuel and water can holders (field modifications)
- Scale rope from hemp colored and used for tie-down of spares on upper hull
- Other stuff I can't remember

Without any more blabbering, here is what Jarrod and I are going to call the final results for our 1/16 Sherman M4A3E8 "Easy Eight".

[2lapsdown]

That is absolutely amazing. You two did a great job. Well done.

[hurtubise56]

I remember Jarrod's birthday party, looked like a blast! You two really nailed it with this model! Keep up the great work! Not sure if I'll ever build anything military, but I'm pretty sure if I do, it will be a tank.

[pntmachine]

Well it’s not hard to see this came out fantastic. The attention to detail is beyond compare. The depth of research alone speaks for itself. You and your son Jarod ought to feel very proud of this. It’s a very neat thing that you guys were able to work together on such a project. I hope we get a chance to see more to come. Keep up the good work.

[kyledehart5]

What a fantastic build by yourself and Jarrod!! As others have said, the detail is exquisite and it really looks great. And I’m 1/16th scale!! Must be a pretty large unit. Very cool and thank you for sharing.

[Calvin]

Looks too real! 🤣😉 more than impressive

[Gary Davis]

WOW...GREAT job Jarrod and Ben! Outstanding detail, weathering and fabrication work. That front shot, showing all four crew members, looks REAL!

[SWT500]

Jarrod, you and your father ROCK!!!! AWESOME JOB!!!

[drums01]

Thank you all so much. We should be back to something open wheel very soon. Jarrod really enjoyed the clean up of parts and spraying the paints. This is the 9th time that Jarrod has helped me, I am happy to say that I think it is going to be a routine; at least for a while.

Well, I guess you could call our current build an open wheel model. It is the ancient 1/24 MPC kit of the Civil War stem locomotive "The General". The again, it also has what I would call a partial fender over the front and drive wheels. Any way, we'll post it here too once it's complete.

Ben and Jarrod

[kyledehart5]

Jul 15, 2023 15:37:48 GMT -5 drums01 said:

Thank you all so much. We should be back to something open wheel very soon. Jarrod really enjoyed the clean up of parts and spraying the paints. This is the 9th time that Jarrod has helped me, I am happy to say that I think it is going to be a routine; at least for a while.

Well, I guess you could call our current build an open wheel model. It is the ancient 1/24 MPC kit of the Civil War stem locomotive "The General". The again, it also has what I would call a partial fender over the front and drive wheels. Any way, we'll post it here too once it's complete.

Ben and Jarrod

Ben, I’ve always had designs on building a steam locomotive kit so I’m keen to see what you and Jarrod put together on “the general” steam engines are awesome. And what a cool thing for you guys to share. Looking forward to your next one!

Kyle

[quattro]

Great job you Chaps.

So realistic.
You have both mastered those wear and tear and weathering techniques so well.
And super use of the resources you worked with at this scale.

Mega!

[drums01]

Thank you very much Kyle and quattro, your positive replies are much appreciated by Jarrod especially.

As for the General locomotive, we are not posting much WIP photos or updates. Just to let you know, we have completed the main chassis and boiler portion of the engine along with the wheel carriages and body of the tender. The base coat has been sprayed on those parts and the engine house and drive wheels are painted red. Prior to paint we managed to add around 100+ nuts and bolt heads prior to painting, based on some research. We will post the build results here once its complete.



After the train we have a large scale helicopter to build followed by another armor model and definately an open wheel F1 car in there somewhere.

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement as Jarrod loves me to read them to him. See ya soon!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 12, 2023 22:27:14 GMT -5 drums01 said:

Thank you very much Kyle and quattro, your positive replies are much appreciated by Jarrod especially.

As for the General locomotive, we are not posting much WIP photos or updates. Just to let you know, we have completed the main chassis and boiler portion of the engine along with the wheel carriages and body of the tender. The base coat has been sprayed on those parts and the engine house and drive wheels are painted red. Prior to paint we managed to add around 100+ nuts and bolt heads prior to painting, based on some research. We will post the build results here once its complete.



After the train we have a large scale helicopter to build followed by another armor model and definately an open wheel F1 car in there somewhere.

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement as Jarrod loves me to read them to him. See ya soon!

I don’t really do WIP stuff myself so I completely understand that. Look forward to seeing the finished results of whatever You and Jarrod put together!!

[racerbrown]

WOW!
You and Jarrod make a heck of a team!
Please keep 'em coming!
Duane