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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Meng M4A3 pictures.
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 02:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Nonetheless, it still looks amazing. Good luck on this.

I think it's a good kit, thanks.
m4sherman
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Joined: January 18, 2006
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Posted: Friday, August 30, 2019 - 02:05 PM UTC

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Doesn’t the kit come with a metal barrel?
Dan

From what I understand a limited number will come with a metal barrel, the first 1,000 I think.

That barrel, and the kit plastic parts, are the standard barrel with the thread protector, or can be made with the muzzle brake.

I am building a very early 'A3 with a non-threaded barrel.
m4sherman
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Posted: Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 06:16 AM UTC
Comparing the Asuka and Meng hulls. Not much difference, however the Meng hull shell is one piece. The final drive is also slide molded, which makes it much easier for the builder.



The three hulls, Asuka, Meng and RFM. The Meng hull has some fine details the the RFM does not, but I wish Meng had made the hull the same way Asuka and RFM did theirs.



While the lower hulls of both Asuka and Meng are nearly the same there is a difference with the gap for the final drive in the upper hulls. The Asuka and RFM are slightly wider than the Meng, about .030 (.8mm), or .015 (.4mm) on each side. This is because the Meng bolt strip part of the final drive is that much narrower than both Asuka and RFM.

m4sherman
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Posted: Saturday, August 31, 2019 - 12:33 PM UTC
Moving a little slow today, drugs for my bad tooth are making me groggy. None the less I have been doing more comparisons. I checked the final drive covers of the three kits and all are in a fraction of the others, except the bolt strip. The RFM is the widest at about 46mm, the Asuka and Meng are about 45mm, with the Asuka being a fraction wider.

Sleepwalker71
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Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: August 30, 2012
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 186 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 03, 2019 - 08:02 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Doesn’t the kit come with a metal barrel?
Dan

From what I understand a limited number will come with a metal barrel, the first 1,000 I think.

That barrel, and the kit plastic parts, are the standard barrel with the thread protector, or can be made with the muzzle brake.

I am building a very early 'A3 with a non-threaded barrel.

It seems I was lucky. My kit has a metal barrel.
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
KitMaker: 1,866 posts
Armorama: 1,808 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 04, 2019 - 12:05 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Doesn’t the kit come with a metal barrel?
Dan

From what I understand a limited number will come with a metal barrel, the first 1,000 I think.

That barrel, and the kit plastic parts, are the standard barrel with the thread protector, or can be made with the muzzle brake.

I am building a very early 'A3 with a non-threaded barrel.

It seems I was lucky. My kit has a metal barrel.

My kit has the metal barrel. After looking closer the kit has a plastic end for the unthreaded barrel. The muzzle brake is not intended for use with this version, so there is another version coming. Hopefully Meng will do the 75mm and 105mm versions.
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
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Posted: Friday, September 06, 2019 - 03:34 PM UTC
Well I had a tooth pulled, and after more drugs I got a little done. Finished the boogies. Added the missing bolt heads and the spring adjusters.



Not much done on the hull and turret. I made the smoke thrower pipe from scrap metal tube.

m4sherman
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Posted: Saturday, September 07, 2019 - 04:09 PM UTC
Started adding some turret details. For the extra lift ring I used a left over part from an Asuka kit, and I think the 50 cal barrel holder from Asuka is much better. The left side disc at the rear of the turret top is supposed to get a ring per the kit. Pictures show only a center bolt and a smaller bolt mid way to the front, so I filled in the locating hole. The hole for the antenna looked too large so I filled it in. I have a Panzer Art metal antenna base to use.

m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
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Posted: Sunday, September 08, 2019 - 12:10 PM UTC
Decided to see how the Meng tracks work, with a twist. I don't like the rubber chevron, so am adapting a Bronco metal chevron set. Both track pads are the same size. I am using .020 (.5mm) brass rod. The tracks fit the sprockets as well as others I have tested. The extended end connectors fit well and look ok.



m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
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Posted: Friday, September 13, 2019 - 04:34 PM UTC
Slow progress, with the tracks almost done. I want to get the suspension on before adding the last lengths. Started adding hull details. So far everything still looks good, just the rear hull plate to deal with.

bat_213
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Canada
Joined: January 07, 2019
KitMaker: 110 posts
Armorama: 95 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 14, 2019 - 11:03 AM UTC
your build is looking very nice ,well done .
panamadan
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Minnesota, United States
Joined: July 20, 2004
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Posted: Sunday, September 15, 2019 - 01:07 AM UTC
Very good
Dan
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