Here is a Can-Am exclusive - my Sherman build!

So here is the plan: replace the gearboxes with metal one, install a SLU, replace the road wheels with metal ones, replace Tranny cover, add a cast metal effect to the hull, recoil? (not sure what to do yet), change the barrel, paint and weather. I think that might cover it.

This won't be the fast of builds, because of limited time being used by two busy kids, but the goal is to have it ready for the July BattleDay, hopefully.



First step - Break down the Sherman, strip away the old electronics and dremel away any unwanted plastic posts.





Next was the gearboxes. I decided to use the 3:1 Tiger 2.0 gears.


I cut about 3/4" strip out of center of the metal mounting plate that comes with gears. After some careful alignment, I then epoxy the plates in place.


After the epoxy had set and hard I install the gearboxes. They fit very nice and no problem with hitting the tranny cover. I thought this part would give me the most problem, but was surprisingly easy. The Sherman's drive spockets are a tight fit but they do fit the Tiger's drive shafts. I don't think these gearboxes will give the speed the Sherman should have, but I can always replace the motors.



While I was at it I also switch out the road wheels on one side with the metal ones with suspension just to see how they will work. These new ones are really nice and easy to install.

While I was waiting for the epoxy to dry, I thought I would try out the cast metal effect.

I'm using a product call Mr. Surfacer 500. This stuff has a strong smell, so use it in a well vented area or when the wife is away.



To use it, just cut up some sponges, dip it in the solution and dab the area you want until the sponge becomes dry.

Here is a sample piece I did on the battery cover to see how it would work. It not the best picture , I'll take more when I do the hull.

Also an interesting side note that might useful to Captain Action.

I was curious to see what the gears look like in the in the plastic gearboxes, so I open one and they look like they maybe the same size as some the gears from the stock metal gears from the HL's. I wished I know that before I cut out all the mounts, I would've tried and save the other gears for my Tiger. Oh well, live and learn.

Another blurry pic

This looks fantastic, I definitely know a Sherman is my next tank! I love the mato hull

Did a little work on the Sherman. The metal suspension from Mato come with their name stamped on the side with some numbers.
I decided to remove these. It was an easy job, just a quick clean up with the dremel and now are ready for paint.


The red circle show where the letters and numbers.


All cleaned up and ready for paint.


Next step is the cast metal effect on the hull and turret.

Did the cast metal effect yesterday using Mr. Surfacer 500. This stuff drys pretty quick and has a strong smell, so use it where there is good ventilation.

It was quite easy, first I strip the hull and turret of any removable parts and then used some painters masking tape to cover the areas that I didn't want affected.

I cut a sponge into some pieces dipped them in the bottle and dabbed small areas at a time until the sponge became dry, then grabbed new piece of sponge and tart anew area bleeding it in..













Now I just have to add some parts back on it and it will be ready for paint.

On a side note.. Just ordered my Mato Sherman

I really like the surface effect! Where'd you get it?

wait... where did you order that?
I think matomart is still out of stock.

Strato50 wrote:

On a side note.. Just ordered my Mato Sherman

I really like the surface effect! Where'd you get it?

I order it from ebay, it's a real hard product to find in North America. It came from Hong Kong and took about a month regular mail.

You need change the barrel.

real_hulu wrote:

wait... where did you order that?
I think matomart is still out of stock.

RcTankWars, from mr Phil.

He had the special of the tank without the Mato guts and I wanted one a couple months ago. He just got a few more

Strato50 wrote:

real_hulu wrote:

wait... where did you order that?
I think matomart is still out of stock.

RcTankWars, from mr Phil.

He had the special of the tank without the Mato guts and I wanted one a couple months ago. He just got a few more

How much without the guts if you don't mind me asking?

I believe he had it on there for $105. There may even be some left

I had him install some 'custom' 3:1s (now that I see stince's build, I don't know why..) and also got some motors for my heavies

real_hulu wrote:

You need change the barrel.

Ya, that fat barrel is really buggy me.
I think I will cut it off and use the metal insert tube that's used for shooting the BB's for the barrel for now. It's closer to the proper size.


I'm also thinking of cutting down the extra ring on the turret at the bottom.

I still have original barrel from my Panzer III L and it look to be the right size, at least better than what they have on it.

From what I could fine the barrel lenght on a Sherman 75mm is 67.7" long, not sure about the 76mm. If you scale that down it works to be about 4.23". The lenght of the Panzer barrel is almost 4.5", which pretty close.

What do you guys think?

No idea, I don't know the barrel length.. the simple way is order one from the guy who made the barrel for Tim's Sherman. But it may cost 20$ including the shipping/
..
So how many Sherman in our club. 3 or 4...
We will see more tanks roll over on the field.

real_hulu wrote:

So how many Sherman in our club. 3 or 4...
We will see more tanks roll over on the field.

Rolling would be a desirable manoeuvre................................................if we were an r/c flying club

No Shermans for me, guaranteed I's roll one at least once or twice/meet

Today I decided to get ride of the extra ring at the bottom of the turret that Mato put in to make room for their airsoft gun.

Here is a before and after.


Before




After



It wasn't to difficult to do, but I forgot to take picture while I was cutting, so hopefully I can explain this clearly.

First I cut around the bottom edge using a small sawblade ( the kind that fits on an extco handle). You will need to put in a notch on the bottom plate where the one back post meets and remove the front lip on the bottom part too.





Next I sanded both pieces smooth and than epoxy them together.


To fit the two halves together you will need to remove about 3/16" from three of the post on the top half or you will have a gap.


Once your done It makes the tank so much better looking.





But now the seam in the turret from the two halves is bugging me. Hopefully when it's painted it won't be so noticeable.

Small update!

I made some vent covers for what I'm guessing is the air in-take(?).

I chopped off the dumb oversize barrel and found a replacement for now.




Here is the difference between the barrels.



Can you guess where the new barrel came from?

i like it the one off your PIII

Bingo!! You got it!

Looks good ,I must chop my Sherman top one day too....

Thanks Captain!

It's coming along slow. Just have to figure out the 3 piece tranny, then ready for paint.