M4A1 76mm(w)

By: Danl Dunbar

Manufacturer(s): Italeri/Dragon

Description: Sherman M4A1 76(w), Normandy 1944, Italeri/Dragon kit bash, Italeris hull, turret, tracks/running gear, wire rope and details from dragon, some details made from wire and brass sheet, Vallejo/Tamiya paints.

Judge 1: Nice kit bash of Italeri's hull with a Dragon kit. the Rubber Chevron tracks look great with the weathering of them spot on & no obvious connection of the tracks. the suspension mud looks like mud & straw thrown on as one blob & should not be on the tyres. the OD has a even coverage but lacks interest with only one tone & no highlighting. The tools are really well done especially the metal ones or parts,the wood being perfectly painted could have done with a wash to add tone differences too. the rear stowage looks good the tarp could have been painted lighter to make more colour variation overall & the rope looks well worn. There is a bit of a join showing on the lower turret & one of the light guards is abit off centre, good to see a vision block added to the drivers hatch!the wear around them looks got too. the aerial looks alittle think scale wise. Silvering is showing on some of the decals The turret MG & tow cable looks good too.
Judge 2: The photo’s are well lit and cropped but lack depth of field denying us a greater view of your well made model. You’ve taken the best of both kits and it’s hard to fault the build although the join in one of the tracks is visible. The paint is well done and a very good colour but could be further improved with some greater tonal variation, unfortunately the serial number decals have silvered, some good setting solution will help next time. The chipping around the crew access areas is good but this doesn’t marry well with the new look of the rest of the tank. The mud is good but it too could use some greater colour variation.
Judge 3: Nicely built, although there is a slight gap in the left side track where the ends join. The stowage has been thoughtfully applied and looks very good. The paint finish is good - the colours are in scale and the smaller details are well painted. A little more tonal variety would further improve the finish and possibly a little more weathering (e.g. dust / mud etc, although that is more a matter of personal taste).