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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
Hosted by Darren Baker
Hobby Boss 1/35 M4 HST
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2020 - 01:38 AM UTC
Everything else is heading to decals & weathering so time to start he next kit. Going with the Hobby Boss M4 HST (most likely in straight OD). It may eventually have something to tow (thinking a captured 88mm AA unit).



Usual box art/sprue shot to start







ivanhoe6
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: April 05, 2007
KitMaker: 2,023 posts
Armorama: 1,234 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2020 - 02:25 AM UTC
Thanks Robert for starting this one. During the virus quarantine I've been clearing out all of the shelf queens. Inspired by your build this one may move to the top of the pile.
Have fun !
stikpusher
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Arizona, United States
Joined: June 16, 2005
KitMaker: 83 posts
Armorama: 79 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2020 - 04:43 AM UTC
This is one that I want to follow
GTDeath13
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Attica, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: June 12, 2015
KitMaker: 921 posts
Armorama: 919 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 01, 2020 - 05:12 AM UTC
A very interesting build. Tuned in and watching.
PzAufkl
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Germany
Joined: October 24, 2009
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2020 - 06:50 AM UTC
Hi all HST4 fans,
I'd like to point out a few things concerning the HB kits that I haven't found in the reviews I've read - in no special order:
The roof stowage box behind the manhole can be opened from that opening, not the way HB wants it to be mounted. The PE engine grilles have "frames" at top and bottom that don't appear on the prototype. The kit-supplied chain is of the flattened kind, not correct. The instructions don't mention that the volute springs' thinner ends have to point to the back on both sides, and holes should be drilled into both end caps.
To correct these and other things, Ampersand's and Tankograd's books together with primeportal and Toadman's pictures are indispensable, and here are a few more references:

[url]http://put.url.here[https://www.wk1963.at/m4_highspeedtractor_hkfw/hBA8D4A4C#hba8d4a6b
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxAHIdpJfNw
http://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/allis-chalmers.htm
http://preservedtanks.com/Image.aspx?PhotoID=5828&UniqueID=1833&Page=3/url]

Hoping this'll work,
Peter
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2020 - 07:05 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi all HST4 fans,
I'd like to point out a few things concerning the HB kits that I haven't found in the reviews I've read - in no special order:
The roof stowage box behind the manhole can be opened from that opening, not the way HB wants it to be mounted. The PE engine grilles have "frames" at top and bottom that don't appear on the prototype. The kit-supplied chain is of the flattened kind, not correct. The instructions don't mention that the volute springs' thinner ends have to point to the back on both sides, and holes should be drilled into both end caps.
To correct these and other things, Ampersand's and Tankograd's books together with primeportal and Toadman's pictures are indispensable, and here are a few more references:

[url]http://put.url.here[https://www.wk1963.at/m4_highspeedtractor_hkfw/hBA8D4A4C#hba8d4a6b
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxAHIdpJfNw
http://usautoindustryworldwartwo.com/allis-chalmers.htm
http://preservedtanks.com/Image.aspx?PhotoID=5828&UniqueID=1833&Page=3/url]

Hoping this'll work,
Peter



Thanks Peter, I will have a look and document any changes I make as I go along. I had heard that the instructions did sometimes miss parts out (so their in picture but not mentioned)
FarmerDave
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: September 07, 2014
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 63 posts
Posted: Wednesday, September 02, 2020 - 08:35 AM UTC
Cool looking machine, i built it a few years ago.
bat_213
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Canada
Joined: January 07, 2019
KitMaker: 110 posts
Armorama: 95 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2020 - 10:12 AM UTC
those are very cool,i have 2 kits in my stash.
guni-kid
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Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Joined: July 21, 2007
KitMaker: 521 posts
Armorama: 514 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2020 - 07:27 PM UTC
Count me in for following this one! And post the pics as they are coming, I'm really interested to actually watch it come together
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2020 - 08:42 PM UTC
So the first cuts of plastic have happened - phase 1 are the wheels... Making good progress with the first "update" - the springs have small holes in either end (shown in the box art but not in casting). Also done some damage to the rubber wheels (actually a first for me). 















PzAufkl
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Germany
Joined: October 24, 2009
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2020 - 08:57 PM UTC
... and if you want to super detail the engine, its TM can be found here:
https://books.google.de/books?id=QsMIAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA174&lpg=PA174&dq=TM+9-785&source=bl&ots=-qBr4a0WCQ&sig=ACfU3U1jFLxEhfjgdRdv0oqbsK6Q8oCyGQ&hl=de&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwig49Do7szrAhUB6aQKHRT7COs4PBDoATAHegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=TM%209-785&f=false

Have fun!
Peter
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2020 - 09:03 PM UTC



evil man ;-) may have to look to see if there are some parts to do. I am on a deadline as it is for a group build elsewhere and needs to be completed by the end of November (well noone will die if it isn't so may have to see)
jon_a_its
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England - East Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: April 29, 2004
KitMaker: 1,336 posts
Armorama: 1,137 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 03, 2020 - 09:59 PM UTC
Interesting build here, I'll keep an eye in.

A pity there isn't a 3in/90mm AA in plastic to go with this version, as there are subtle differences in the rear ammo box between that & the 155mm/8in version.
stikpusher
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Arizona, United States
Joined: June 16, 2005
KitMaker: 83 posts
Armorama: 79 posts
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2020 - 04:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text


A pity there isn't a 3in/90mm AA in plastic to go with this version, as there are subtle differences in the rear ammo box between that & the 155mm/8in version.



A pity indeed. I do especially hope that somebody comes out with the 90mm gun, as my dad crewed on those in the 50s.

The suspension parts are looking good so far.
abelynn
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California, United States
Joined: October 27, 2005
KitMaker: 20 posts
Armorama: 20 posts
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2020 - 06:27 AM UTC
Commander's makes a 90mm AA gun:

http://ironshipwrights.com/armor/90mm.html

I've not seen it in person, so can't comment on the quality or accuracy.

One slight nit that I have with the HobbyBoss kit are the engine screens:

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m4_hst25.jpg

The actual screens have depth and look more like the riveted grating used on catwalks:

https://www.designerpages.com/products/133489/

It would be difficult to reproduce this in scale, so I don't have a solution. Given how much I really like the rest of the HB HST kit, I'm inclined to just squint a bit when I look at the screens.
stikpusher
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Arizona, United States
Joined: June 16, 2005
KitMaker: 83 posts
Armorama: 79 posts
Posted: Friday, September 04, 2020 - 02:57 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Commander's makes a 90mm AA gun:

http://ironshipwrights.com/armor/90mm.html





Yes, but it’s the early M1 version. I want the later M3 like my dad was on


https://gallery.kitmaker.net/data/500/F2BAAF58-52BE-4279-872E-4BC7FED9AED9.jpeg
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 06, 2020 - 05:46 AM UTC
thanks all for the comments, have done some work on the engine - some may be seen and might mean I leave the mesh doors open..

So a good couple of sessions over the weekend. Started on the main cab units (including using silver foil to "pad" the seats). And then moved to the winch and the power unit. Like the engine and, using documentation on the engine, added a few extra pipes (not exact but add that little extra detail). and on to the extractor fan and upper framework. All the rear components are loose to allow for easier painting (even though it is predominantly green)...





























For the seat,



1) cut some kitchen foil to the rough size of the part you want to cover:







2) with super glue, affix it to the main area and the smooth over the sides (if needs be, add super glue on the sides as well







3) neaten up, this should give some texture which, once painted and weathered, should add a little bit of variation to plain plastic seats



PzAufkl
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Germany
Joined: October 24, 2009
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 06, 2020 - 08:09 PM UTC
Hi Robert,
Nice progress on your build, I especially like the metal tube on the engine. Wrapping the seats in aluminum foil is a good idea, too, but:
In the HST, everybody had their separate seats, consisting of square zippered canvas bags that were stuffed with blankets or something similar. Plus all seats had safety belts.
Just telling, while you can still get at them ...
Happy modeling,
Peter
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 06, 2020 - 08:22 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Robert,
Nice progress on your build, I especially like the metal tube on the engine. Wrapping the seats in aluminum foil is a good idea, too, but:
In the HST, everybody had their separate seats, consisting of square zippered canvas bags that were stuffed with blankets or something similar. Plus all seats had safety belts.
Just telling, while you can still get at them ...
Happy modeling,
Peter



yeah did see that - but after I had glued the seat in place... I may be able to rescue them and then create something out of miliput...
PzAufkl
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Germany
Joined: October 24, 2009
KitMaker: 104 posts
Armorama: 103 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2020 - 04:24 AM UTC
Robert,
After another study of your build - congrats that you found the right loaction for B19 although the instructions don't mention it. If you play with the thought of leaving the engine room open, the engine TM shows what B19 should look like (p.127), and at primeportal you can see where it's linked to.
To live up to my image of evil man: The "channel" on top of tank B30/C64 is where a scratchbuilt "fan belt tightener" should be installed, illustrated on page 111 of the TM. Another picture can be seen on page 9 of Mike Koenig's Mack NO6 build:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/196219&page=9#2198988

I guess by now you can tell that I, too, am building the HST - but I'm too dumb to load up photos here, not even following Darren's step-by-step instructions.

Keep chastising yourself!
Peter
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2020 - 04:46 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Robert,
After another study of your build - congrats that you found the right loaction for B19 although the instructions don't mention it. If you play with the thought of leaving the engine room open, the engine TM shows what B19 should look like (p.127), and at primeportal you can see where it's linked to.
To live up to my image of evil man: The "channel" on top of tank B30/C64 is where a scratchbuilt "fan belt tightener" should be installed, illustrated on page 111 of the TM. Another picture can be seen on page 9 of Mike Koenig's Mack NO6 build:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/196219&page=9#2198988

I guess by now you can tell that I, too, am building the HST - but I'm too dumb to load up photos here, not even following Darren's step-by-step instructions.

Keep chastising yourself!
Peter



thanks Peter... I found B19 (plus the part on top of B30/C64) in another build thread (where I also found the photo for inspiration to mount a spare halftrack type front wheel and a wooden box on the roof).

I will have a look at the tightener....
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2020 - 05:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Robert,
After another study of your build - congrats that you found the right loaction for B19 although the instructions don't mention it. If you play with the thought of leaving the engine room open, the engine TM shows what B19 should look like (p.127), and at primeportal you can see where it's linked to.
To live up to my image of evil man: The "channel" on top of tank B30/C64 is where a scratchbuilt "fan belt tightener" should be installed, illustrated on page 111 of the TM. Another picture can be seen on page 9 of Mike Koenig's Mack NO6 build:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/196219&page=9#2198988

I guess by now you can tell that I, too, am building the HST - but I'm too dumb to load up photos here, not even following Darren's step-by-step instructions.

Keep chastising yourself!
Peter



thanks Peter... I found B19 (plus the part on top of B30/C64) in another build thread (where I also found the photo for inspiration to mount a spare halftrack type front wheel and a wooden box on the roof).

I will have a look at the tightener....



having looked at the tightener I can't work out how it goes vs the belt (I assume it is like the 2 on the rear of the engine so the belts run over it it).

Think I will give that a miss (or leave it for a while)
robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Monday, September 07, 2020 - 07:28 AM UTC
as has been pointed out above the seat pads in the M4 HST were individual (bench seating was a restoration choice) made up with zipped bags filled with crew blankets/soft stowage so removed the kit provided one as started on 3 replacements. Benches in place, cushions will be made from milliput at some point. Will also look at the seat backs (plus in some photos there are pads on the side walls too)....



robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
Armorama: 1,207 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 12, 2020 - 02:29 AM UTC
more time today than expected (parents are visiting the area). Managed to get the cab mostly done and the roof to the engine compartment. There are a hell of a lot of sink marks on the interior which means a lot of filling or covering with thin styrene sheet. Still need to make all the seat pads out of miliput and then attack the rear storage box. Everything still placed in place





robw_uk
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England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: June 22, 2010
KitMaker: 1,224 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 08:29 AM UTC
a good session today, final main component done including adding the wheel bracket for the spare halftrack front wheel (photo evidence I think is form the 155mm tractor but it looks ok). Have added it to the upper hatch at the rear which only drops to 90deg so would still open with bracket on (obviously with the wheel off ;-)) 



next up are the padded seat (miliput), "wooden" slat above the rear box (photo with the spare wheel also shows this addition - not sure if it a box or just using planks to raise up the rear - I think  the latter looks more likely) and then looking at improving the canvas doors. THese are VERY thick so having them in the open position would probably cause them to stick out about 1cm (the fold together). Going to look at either .1mm plasticard (bit flat and doesn't look like canvas) or a thin frame with varnished tissue as the canvas (fiddly ) - may be plasticard with tissue glued to it to add texture....







 _GOTOTOP