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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sat 17 Jan 2009 21:00 pm Post subject:

The tracks are now kind of on, but they put up one hell of a fight!

From the sides it almost looks OK:

But from the front the picture is much less pretty!

The biggest problems are that the spacing of the end-pins on the track bear no relation whatsoever with the spacing of the teeth on the sprocket and also that the tracks are just a bit too wide!

For what it's worth, all the best
Sgt.S
PS - The lean to the right appears to have returned too!

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James Russell · Posted: Mon 19 Jan 2009 23:49 pm Post subject:

Well done, Sergeant!

Just to be clear, which treads did you end up using? Are these Airfix Lee/Grants or Shermans? I'm guessing by the snug fit that they are old "rubber" types, nicht wahr?

I think you have a fine looking model looking from the side; a nice snug fit appropriate to the M3. Those old treads are beauties in that respect. Sorry about the front view - I have dozen Airfix Shermans with the same sad problem - concave tread shoes around the sprockets.

Next time I have "rubber" tracks I'm going to try putting some scrap between the sprocket pieces in the hopes of preventing this. Can you go back or are you permanently glued in place?

Again, a fine looking M3! Thanks for showing us your work.

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 20 Jan 2009 00:52 am Post subject:

Cheers James!

I used the best of the ancient Airfix M3 Lee tracks for this build. They were nice and flexible, but did not take CA glue quite as well as I had hoped. With some perseverance I got them thoroughly stuck down and I really don't want to mess with them again right now.

All the best
Sgt.S
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Ratch · Posted: Tue 20 Jan 2009 17:49 pm Post subject:

Looking good Andy

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daniel7891 · Posted: Tue 20 Jan 2009 19:40 pm Post subject:

Looking good
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TimJ · Posted: Wed 21 Jan 2009 16:00 pm Post subject:

Looking good so far.

I had the same problem with the width of my tracks.
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 03:34 am Post subject:

Leeanimator

My Lee has followed the pattern of "Shermanstein" and become something of a 'Moreau Creation'.....I started adding various details and promptly discovered that they are only really appropriate for late production Lees, whereas the Airfix kit is most definitely an early!

I still like it (except the mantlet) though!

All the best
Sgt.S
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Ratch · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 08:42 am Post subject:

Still looks good Sarge

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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 15:48 pm Post subject:

I've added a few final details and a bit of stowage and given "The Leeanimator" a black undercoat in preperation for painting:

For a guy who doesn't (yet) rig bi-planes, string seems to be playing a big part in my modelling life!

All the best
Sgt.S
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stuzzar · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 16:09 pm Post subject:

Coming along nicely Andy, looks quite mean in all black doesn't it

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 04 Feb 2009 18:33 pm Post subject:

Cheers guys.....I'm quite pleased with it so far and I think it might make a suitably odd-ball companion for "Shermanstein".

All the best
Sgt.S
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 05 Mar 2009 20:58 pm Post subject:

Wooyay.....AFCBGeorge has found some Humbrol sprays for me!

At the moment "The Leeanimator" is still mostly black, except for one bit on the underside which is brown.....That's just about where my last can of Hu29 gave up the ghost!

Once the postie brings the new ones, I'll be back in business!

For what it's worth, all the best
Sgt.S
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 11 Mar 2009 19:12 pm Post subject:

"The Leeanimator" has now received it's basecoat and I'm already underway with the filters:

As with "Shermanstein", I used Hu29 & 30 rattle cans (simultaneously) for the basecoat, bouncing the sprays around to get an interesting blend, generally concentrating the brown towards the bottom and green toward the top.

The filter is proving quite time consuming as this thing has so many faces.....I've had to disguise a minor tide-mark or two.

At the moment only the turret, engine deck area and horizontal part of the upper hull have received filters.....Once all the filters are done the basecoat should all blend into a rather dusty and slightly faded looking olive drab.

All the best
Sgt.S
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 12 Mar 2009 01:05 am Post subject:

I've now finished the first lot of filters and the first edge highlight:

The difference is, to say the least, subtle.....Again!

Hopefully once the Klear goes on it will be a bit more noticeable.

All the best
Sgt.S
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feanor · Posted: Thu 12 Mar 2009 07:53 am Post subject:

Ayup Sarge...

You look like you need to find a non-yellow sodium type light as all i see is a yellow model.

Have you say, a Tungsten (blue-ish) one nearer to daylight? I know how pants this can be...
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Sat 14 Mar 2009 00:06 am Post subject:

More fiters & highlights.....

Still no visible difference!

Some work on the roadwheels and tracks is next, then the detail-painting & Klear, before the decals.....Hopefully my efforts in these stages should then become rather more visible.

All the best
Sgt.S
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stuzzar · Posted: Mon 16 Mar 2009 16:49 pm Post subject:

Very nice work.

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2009 02:19 am Post subject:

Cheers Stu!

I've finally finished faffing about with my base colours and am about to move on to the detail painting:

I've still only used four colours on this build so far; Hu29 & Hu30 both as sprays and from the pot, plus Hu33 & Hu103 from the pot (all acrylics). I have not done a stroke of painting per-se either, it's all been filters or wet/drybrushing. Hopefully you can actually see some difference now.....It'll be very obvious indeed once the Klear goes on.

For what it's worth, all the best
Sgt.S
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Brews · Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2009 04:58 am Post subject:

You know the Sovs had these at Prokhorovka, don't you

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DavidM · Posted: Wed 18 Mar 2009 12:11 pm Post subject: