1/16 ILK Sherman M4a1

[Ryan]

Hey folks, here is the ILK Sherman build, first up some self made 3D corrections to some of the kit parts.

 

Track:

 

The kit supplied track not a common track for the Sherman, besides I like the look of the red meat T66 rubber chevrons. These went through a few redesigns as I tried using the kit end connectors and just designing the pads. I also tried using resin pins, both thoughts did not work in the end. The final design was all new pads, connectors and brass pins that I cut by hand! The resin pins gave the track too much stretch and as you know the Sherman has "live" track with no slack like the Russian T-34 style "dead" track. So pulling them tight with resin pins would leave too much gap between the links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[LSP_K2]

Nice!

[Ryan]

The wheels were also a mod I designed....who like rubber!

 

For you 3d=D nerds the .10 was the size of the overage I used to fit around the ILK rim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

Fantastic additions Ryan, so well needed in this scale. Well done, will follow your progress with drooling interest.

Cheers

Martin 

[LSP_Ray]

And he's got more!!!...

[LSP_Ray]

10 hours ago, Ryan said:

Hey folks, here is the ILK Sherman build, first up some self made 3D corrections to some of the kit parts.

 

Track:

 

The kit supplied track not a common track for the Sherman, besides I like the look of the red meat T66 rubber chevrons. These went through a few redesigns as I tried using the kit end connectors and just designing the pads. I also tried using resin pins, both thoughts did not work in the end. The final design was all new pads, connectors and brass pins that I cut by hand! The resin pins gave the track too much stretch and as you know the Sherman has "live" track with no slack like the Russian T-34 style "dead" track. So pulling them tight with resin pins would leave too much gap between the links.

 

 

You are correct about the tracks. They are T54E2 tracks, otherwise known as "British track", along with the T62 track, which is similar but with rivets. These two tracks were most commonly seen on lend-lease tanks. I believe ILK based their kit on a Chinese lend-lease Sherman because of these tracks and other details in the kit. It is too bad they didn't include some lend-lease country decals!

 

Anyway, here is another upgrade you can work on, Ryan: the skids over the bogies. ILK has two rounded bars on each end; there should be several bolts instead. Here is Panzerwerk Design's take on them:

[Ryan]

@LSP_Ray yep, it’s horrible..I think I chiseled them off soon after this pic.

 

 

Edited December 5, 2024 by Ryan

[Ryan]

Another needed upgrade was to the exhaust trumpets. These came out great.

 

 

 

[TankBuster]

Awesome upgrades. Cheers.

[JeepsGunsTanks]

Awesome so far. I'm really looking forward to your build, because the kit is pretty expensive, but I really want it, and will be able to get a good look at it.  AND how to fix it!

 

Do you know what unit your going to build it as?   The most exotic use was Cape Gloucester in the Pacific, and it was the only time the Marines used M4A1s. The Jungle was more of a swamp on the Cape, and to get the tanks into combat, they had to build a corduroy road of felled jungle trees right to the Japanese lines.  They couldn't even get all the tanks ashore one stayed on its LCT and cruised the coast, letting the Sherman use its 75mm gun on shore targets.

Edited December 5, 2024 by JeepsGunsTanks

[Ryan]

Another mod was what I affectionally call the butt hole.

 

ILK missed the hole in the rear of the tank to turn over the radial engine. I don't think this is a true insert tool, crank it and it starts hole, but more of a access point to rotate the cylinders to make sure they have oil in them before starting. Please someone correct me.

 

Once the rear is re-textured the insertion seam will be invisible.

 

 

 

 

[Martinnfb]

Nice touch with your butt hole Ryan.

[Ryan]

There will be questions about the only (2) VVSS units available in plastic right now. Of course our star of the show is one, but the other is featured in the AHHQ M10 kits.

 

For those who want to know here is the comparison side by side, the AHHQ M10 unit is on the left in both shots.

 

 

 

 

Edited December 5, 2024 by Ryan

[Ryan]

3 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

Nice touch with your butt hole Ryan.

 

It does photograph well, a bit bleached though.

[chrish]

Nice!

aren’t you supposed to be working on super Hornet intake plenums?!

not accusing just…..well ya, accusing