Sherman Tanks

This is the last major production version of the Sherman tank used by the US Army.

The plastic tool set is clearly visible.

The spare track links are located in specific spots on each side on the top of the fenders.

There are two hatches on the roof of the turret.  One is the commanders cupola on the right (starboard) side.  The other is the small oval hatch.

The hatches on late war Shermans could come in several variations since the commanders cupola and the oval loaders hatch could be installed on older tanks.  The split hatch could be replaced by the commanders cupola in the field, and the oval loaders hatch was often installed when tanks or tank turrets, got a major rebuild.

The gun lock on the front of the hull.
 

Sherman Tank Parts

The Heiser Sherman EZ8 tank model with all the major parts laid out on a tray.

I don't use some of the little tiny bits, headlights and supports for the fenders.

For wargames models they are too fragile so I don't put them on the kits.

The main gun glued to the turret.  I stick the turret rear into a bit of modelling clay to hold the turret in position while the glue dried on the gun.

Here is a closeup of the turret and gun and clay.

The suspension bits include 12 road wheels, and 6 shock absorbers.

The outer road wheels get glued onto the inner road wheels.

The little wings are spare track links that go on top of the fenders.

Rear hull and engine vent with a plastic trailer hitch.  There is only hole that has to be drilled into the rear for the trailer hitch.

Plastic bow machine gun.
 

EZ 8

Building a Heiser Models M4A3E8 Sherman tank with 76mm gun and HVSS tracks.

I unpacked all the parts and trim off all the flash.

I keep the model in this little tray so the parts don't get lost.  The Sherman hull is one big piece that is very nicely made.

There is a bit of a mold seam along the edge of the hull and it is very easy to remove.

Put two parts of 5 minute quik cure epoxy on aluminum foil and mix with toothpick.

Made by Bob Smith Industries many hobby companies sell it with their own name on the bottles.
 

Ice Water Enclosure

Seal as aero-san arrives.

Aero-san in the north pole as polar bear greets him.

The Penguin and a penguin.

With the Penguin-Mobile.

Mr. Freeze and his Freeze-Mobile.

This bit of terrain has many possible uses.
 

Zoo Enclosure

I got this little terrain piece at Michaels.

It is perfect for a zoo enclosure.

Since I have the Airfix Zoo set this will come in handy.

It was not expensive and it was the only one they had.

It came just like this and they did not have anything else like this in stock.

Here is the Airfix 1/72nd scale sea lion ready to jump in for a swim.

Now the Airfix polar bear is in the water.

So the sea lion is back out of the water.
 

Swimming and Beach People

As part of my Beach Blanket project I needed swimming and beach people.

I also need people swimming for James Bond, since many of those books and movies take place on the water.

And finally, I am doing cities for the 20th and 21st Centuries and that means beaches.  This is one set of swimming people.  They are listed as being the odd scale of 1/75th scale.  In reality there are a few that are about 1/87 and a few that are about 1/72 with others in between.  I got two of these sets and the figure poses are very random in each set.  This shows all the poses I got between the two sets, each set had at least one of each pose, and as many as 9 of another.  They are good enough that I plan on getting at least one other set, perhaps two.  Some of the swimming figures may be converted into scuba divers with the addition of fins and tanks, and probably spear guns.

These figures are: szzijia 100Pcs Swimming White Model People Figures Scale HO-Perfect for Recreation & Sports Swimming (1:75) that I got on Amazon.

 

 

The Tiki Lair

My plan for the Batman 66 villain The Tiki involves using items that are off the shelf as much as possible.

The giant pineapple and leaf fronds came from Dollar Tree.  The figures are Airfix Tarzan, and the vehicle is Matchbox.

Perhaps this is a fast food kiosk, with a little step up for the customers to talk to the man inside and take their orders.  Or is it the lair of the criminal coconut The Tiki!!??

The Tiki runs a fleet of "legitimate"??? catering trucks with a Polynesian theme.  Is it a front for The Tiki, or has The Tiki infiltrated a legitimate business?

Drummers to entertain the diners, or loud noised to confuse and confound the Dynamic Duo? 

Only time will tell, citizens.
 

Petco Tiki

Pet stores can be good places to shop for terrain.

The fish and reptile sections often have buildings, ruins, and rocks that are perfect for wargaming.

I got this Tiki at Petco recently.

As part of my Batman 66 collection I am building all the villains that appeared in the TV show.

And all the villains that appeared in the Batman 66 comic books.

And I have added one more villain of my own called The Tiki.

He is a Hawaiian themed villain who will hit Gotham City like a hurricane and destroy it like a tsunami.

This hollow tiki is about five inches tall, is fully painted and has two massive jeweled eyes, just the thing to draw a super-villain to the museum that houses it.
Stand by for more King Kamehameha Mayhem!

 (Thanks Banzai 55.)