(Login TopGunBob) Registered Users from IP address 72.95.8.128
Well Folks, finally got em ready. The new Resin Replacement Lower Hulls for the Tamiya Shermans are ready for ordering on Friday. Had a delay in getting the RTV for the production molds, but it finally came this morning. Check our website's Armor Page for more info.
Bob
Bob and Steve
Top Gun Military/IRON DIVISON Resins
www.topgunmilitary.com
Someone around here mentioned Bob had sold something like four dozen M4A3 hulls for the Hobby Boss kits. I certainly hope that's true, because it means that not only did TGMA fill a real need, but that the need was there, showing that 1/48 armor modeling is beginning to mature into a smaller version of the larger scales, where more detail and correction parts are available IF you want to use them. Some of our kits can now be seen as parts donors for resin replacement hulls and turrets.
I want to emphasize something here: for those who prize accuracy (and I know not all of the folks here would put it way above everything else), 1/48 scale now has Sherman details and conversions that allow us to do more conversions than 1/35, and at far lower prices. As far as I know, Steve Faxon now makes excellent representations of every major Sherman production version in all the major variants - 20 hulls (some with turrets) for the various Sherman models. Can't beat that!
TGMA is just starting out, and their hulls are hollow instead of Steve's solid ones, but they too have produced excellent conversion/correction hulls for the Hobby Boss M4A3 and M4A1 kits and the Tamiya M4A1. The new resin lower hull looks very good - haven't seen it in person yet - and I would hope they will do a version that is rivetted. This first version appears to be the welded type. I believe Archer now does rivets in the 3-D resin decals, so that should make doing the rivetted hulls much easier. Best of all, this is all cheaper than most stuff from overseas and the postage won't kill you. For the overseas suppliers, this may be a disadvantage, but offering unique items at the best prices possible will balance out.
Yep, the count is now over 55 and I haven't checked the Store orders yet. Gotta get my Butt in gear and finish this Composite Hull so I'll have something new to cast. OOPs! Almost forgot about the new Resin Lower Hulls.
Some people count sheep to go to sleep, I'm seeing resin HB Hulls!
Thanks for your comments Bruce, you'll be seeing the new Lower Hulls real soon, up close. Just made a deal with Santa about delivery. A rivetted hull sounds good if I only knew where the Rivets went. Besides, I like to play with my Punch and Die set.
Bob
Bob and Steve
Top Gun Military/IRON DIVISON Resins
www.topgunmilitary.com
Dave Reed (Login dave37167) Registered Users 67.177.172.176
Rivets.....
December 20 2007, 12:54 PM
Bruce. those rivet sheets are great....and they give you three different sizes in rows on the foundry set, too. Just go to the Archer site and look at all the surface detail sets. There is even a stiching set for Aircraft (GASP!!!) builders....but Hey, how about canvas tops and bags...they need stiching, too.....See, good things are possible....even with aircraft stuff....
Hey Armorkits guys, (that felt weird spelling armor without a "u")
For years I have thought that selling components of models would be a boon for the hobby. You fellows are rapidly approaching that. I think it would be great to be able to go to one source and custom match the hulls, turrets, and bogie assemblies that I need/want instead of buying donor kits and AM parts. Are you planning to make bogie assemblies too? With Tim's tracks and Hauler tools and PE fret, the 1/48 scale Sherman modeller will lack for nothing.
