Dragon 7273 - Sherman M4A1

[MABO]

I am currently working on this Dragon modell. After a lot of Plastic Soldier Company Easy Assembly Stuff, it was a bit more challenging, but in the end everything fits well. I hope the tracks will do so in the near future. I will build this kit as a Sherman from the US 2nd Armoured Division in Normandie June 1944.





I also take the challenge to add these two figures from Scale 75. I think they will fit well, because all the other crew figs I have from Orion or HäT are way to big. But since the figures are nice but fragile, I hope I can do them justice. Keep your fingers crossed...

[Londoncopper]

Looking good so far!

[MABO]

In the meantime I have tried to add the tracks. A complete desaster, because they are so tide, that they do not fit and the track idlers on both sides broke. I hope I can fit them in a way that will not look shitty.

Has anyone any tips maybe?

[Londoncopper]

Try gently beating the tracks and stretching them to give you an extra millimetre of two, failing that, l used to staple my Airfix tracks together, two per track.
The Airfix Firefly has hard plastic tracks, l opted for the quick assembly option. The more detailed track links are spare but l am not sure how well they would fit on your model.

[Londoncopper]

Heating, not beating.......!

[MABO]

Okay, but I have already glued the tracks together. Now I have to try to add the idlers. But I have more tanks from Dragon and I can imagine they have the same problem. Thanks Phil for the tips.

[MABO]

Yesterday evening I managed to fix the idlers and with them the tracks. I had to use small parts of wire to glue them in a newly drilled hole on a further inside position. I hope you can understand what I mean. For me it is okay, even if not perfect, of course. Next time I will use Phils advice and heat up and stretch the soft plastic tracks. I hope it will work. At least I know about the problem...





Now I can continue painting and weathering. Stay tuned

[Kekso]

Nice camo Jan. I also like decals (no silvering)... but I hope that weathering will dull them down a bit, especially that D-32 yellow one.

[MABO]

Nice camo Jan. I also like decals (no silvering)... but I hope that weathering will dull them down a bit, especially that D-32 yellow one.

I hope so, too!

[Peter]

It looks good so far.

After all these years, sounds like an old man now, I kept the tracks of my broken tanks in a spare box. so I can always add an extra piece on the original ones.
Another solution can also be to let the tank sink a bit in the base so you can hide the open piece between the tracks.

[MABO]

Another solution can also be to let the tank sink a bit in the base so you can hide the open piece between the tracks.

This cool, Peter! A good tip from a model building veteran!

[C M Dodson]

That is a nice looking Sherman .

Best wishes,

Chris

[Santi Pérez]

...Stay tuned

You can be sure I will, Jan. It's a very attractive start to this new project.

Santi.

[MABO]

I have finally finished this model and the crew. I think the result resembled what I am able to achieve.







The crew is amazing and I am not artist enough to really do justice to these two figures.



I am really not contend with these rubber tracks. I have started to build another Dragon M4 and it was a disaster again I will tell you more in the future.

But generally speaking I hope you like this model. If you have build Dragon models, especially the M4, please let me know about you experiences.

[Peter]

Wonderful final result!

[Santi Pérez]

I have finally finished this model and the crew. I think the result resembled what I am able to achieve. ...

Having seen all your work, Jan, I had no doubt that you would be able to pull off a piece like this.

Santi.

[Kekso]

Lovely work Jan.

[MABO]

Thanks for your kind words!

[sansovino]

A wonderful miniature tank-story. Hope you can appreciate it without any anger to the stupid soft plastic tank-tracks. I have again and again same problems with the tracks ... and have ruined more than one or two tank-kits.

Your photos are again good examples how different lights change colors. Which color-version is close to reality?

[MABO]

A wonderful miniature tank-story. Hope you can appreciate it without any anger to the stupid soft plastic tank-tracks. I have again and again same problems with the tracks ... and have ruined more than one or two tank-kits.

Your photos are again good examples how different lights change colors. Which color-version is close to reality?

Thanks sansovino, for this mental support concerning the tracks. I am happy to read, that it is not only me....

The first picture is the closest to reality.