(I invite you to click on the photos for larger views)
This past autumn I embarked, much to my surprise, on a new hobby...mechanized toy soldiering. I purchased a 1/16-scale radio-control Sherman tank.
The tank came mostly assembled but unpainted and undetailed...a wonderful empty canvas.
The electronics are sophisticated, the tank and its components have full range of motion, high-fidelity engine sounds, smoking exhaust, chassis shudders at recoil of main gun, machine gun and main gun sound effects, I/R transmitter and receiver, all this...and it shoots BBs too!
I replaced the plastic road-wheel assemblies with after-market metal road-wheel assemblies. The many metal components of this tank bring its weight up to a hefty 8+ pounds.
The upper and lower hull, as well as the turret are ABS plastic, and the gun barrel, tracks and running gear are metal.
I painted it olive drab...
And weathered it with a simple overspray of tan, with graphite highlights.
I purchased, painted, and affixed many accessories , to give the tank a "lived-in" look.
I'm very happy with the result. Even if it wasn't motorized, it would still make a fantastic scale-model of a Sherman.
I also bought and painted an after-market tank commander.
There are countless wonderful reference photos of the impromptu stowage combinations used by the American tankers in WWII.
At this large scale, the mud, dust, and clay that sticks to the running-gear looks perfectly in scale and adds another wonderful touch of realism.
As mentioned, the 105mm barrel is metal. There were hundreds of these M4A2 Shermans equipped with 105mm howitzers. These specialized tanks were used for bunker-busting and general infantry support.
It's a great model, new source of fun, and a delightful addition to my toy soldiering adventures.
Here's a little video of this model in action:
In my next post, I'll profile my 1/16 Pershing Tank; until then...
Soldier on!
Mannie
