RalphSarc

Hull completed!! These Tamiya armor kits are an absolute dream to build. Never met a Tamiya kit I didn’t like!!

Oh thanks. It’s coming along nicely after a bit away from it.

Completed step 6, 7 and 8 finishing the assembly of the rear bulkhead head, external fuel tanks and hanging brackets and finally joined the upper hull to the lower hull and track assembly.

Continuing on with step 6 assembling the rear bulkhead. Parts A9 and A10 had to have been the most fiddly little parts I ever dealt with!

I agree. Perfect weekend to stay indoors and get some build time in!!

Okay now that RV season has ended and we got 3” of snow in Richmond VA last night it’s time to get my mojo flowing and get started on my Tamiya 1/35 Pershing!!!

I’m building the Challenger 1 Desert version so assembled the correct gun travel lock!! Got to love how everything fits so well. Perfect Tamiya engineering!

Test fitting the upper hull before assembly. Perfect Tamiya fit!!!

The M26 was intended as a replacement of the M4 Sherman, but a prolonged development period meant that only a small number saw combat in Europe. Based on the criteria of firepower, mobility, and protection, US historian R. P. Hunnicutt ranked the Pershing behind the German Tiger Il heavy tank, but ahead of the Tiger I heavy and Panther medium tanks. It was withdrawn in 1951 in favor of its improved derivative, the M46 Patton, which had a more powerful and reliable engine and advanced suspension. The lineage of the M26 continued with the M47 Patton, and was reflected in the new designs of the later M48 Patton and M60 tank.

Oh thanks so much. I really enjoyed building it.

This morning after my so/so attempt at painting the Commander figure I positioning him in his rightful place and gave the Tamiya 1/35 King Tiger (Production Turret) one final coat of XF-86 Flat Clear to complete the build. Super fun build plus those new AK markers are a true game changer when it comes to fine detailing. Both the kit and markers are highly recommended by the King of the Nerds, lol!!!

Oh boy do they ever!! I ordered two other sets today!

More nerd model building before tackling a few RV projects this afternoon. Added a bit of track sag that can be seen under this missing side skirts, assemble 16 spare track sections that will be mounted to the turret sides and finally primed the tank commander figure.

They are a mix of AK markers Gun Metal and Dark Aluminum.

These new AK markers are a definite game changer. I’ve never been able to achieve these cable and tool results like this before!! Also applied a dust coat of XF-57 and then sealed everything using Vallejo 69-703 Satin Varnish. Decal next and then the weathering can begin.

Thanks Kevin I’m pretty pleased with the results so far. The turret is the production turret which would have been rolled steel. However I got excited and reproduced casting marks using a mixture of Tamiya Putty and Extra Thin. Only the early Porsche turret were cast. My bad, lol!!

The paint shop crew was busy psinting the King Tiger this morning. Started with a base coat of XF-60 followed by a camouflage coat of XF-58 and XF-68 and finally added dots of all three colors using a pointed tip cotton swab!! Oh this is an ambush camouflage pattern used by the Germans in WWII.