The M4 Sherman Tank was the most widely used medium tank of the western allies during world
war two. Join me in this video as I build and review
the World War Toons version of this machine from Meng
Hello, and welcome to model minutes. This video is a build and review of the M4A1 Sherman
tank based on the version as featured in the World War Toons computer game
from Meng.
As a result, this model doesn't have any set scale, and is to a very "cartoony" style,
but that's what caught my eye and I purchased it as a result.
Before we start the kit, As always, remember that adult supervision may be required due
to the use of sharp tools and toxic paints and chemicals! Meng recommends
this kit for those aged 14 years old and over.
The Box is pretty sturdy and has some excellent and eye catching art work. It advertises paints
and other items that are recommended for use in the construction
of this kit, not to mention therear of the box advertises the computer game World War
Toons.
The contents of the box are all contained within a clear plastic bag. The first thing
i look at is the instruction booklet, which comes as a glossy, full colour 8 page
booklet, that contain step by step pictures that are quite clear to follow and are multi-lingual.
A small sheet of decals are included, that come in a small bag and covered with protective
paper.
The parts of the kit are held on three dark green plastic sprues. The components are finely
moulded and have no flash whatsoever, the only thing I noticed was that
the plastic is incredibly hard however, which prevents a little challenge in the upcoming
construction.
The final thing included in the kit are the tank tracks, which are moulded rubber loops.
The construction begins by removing the parts from the sprue with a knife, and I attempted
to file the burrs with a nail file, but as previously stated the plastic
was very hard and this didn't work effectively. As a result I take to cutting the burrs off
with a knife instead.
The first stage is the suspension, which if assembled correctly will allow the wheels
and tracks to turn when completed.
I feel as though cement is not a necessity for this kit, as all of the parts either push
or click together and form a solid bond. I do however use polycement throughout
my build in order to ensure it remains assembled.
Having completed the suspension, I then move onto the running gear and hull of the tank.
I was surprised that many parts of the kit were detailing elements, such as
towing hooks, shovels and piping etc.
The instructions state that the tracks should be added at the stage where the top hull of
the tank is installed. I will instead keep them off until the end as I intend
to paint the model a more suitable shade of green.
Various detailing parts such as the lights and machine gun are attached at this stage.
If careful, the machine gun can be made to elevate slightly.
The majority of the tank is complete at this point, the only thing left is to build the
turret.
Again, the components clip together and don't really need cement, and as a result the gun
can be made to elevate and lower just as in the machine gun previously.
The hatches on the top of the turret can also be made to open and close, but mine seemed
very loose so i made the decision to cement them closed.
And it as this point now, where all the little details have been attached to the model, that
I began painting.
I chose Humbrol acrylic 159 matt khaki drab as I had it left over from the build of my
cromwell tank - which I'll add the link for under the video.
I thin the paint with a drop of water in order to allow it to flow better and prevent any
visible brush strokes being seen on the model.
Whilst I finish up painting the kit, I'll tell you a little more about the M4 Sherman
Tank.
Named after William Sherman, an American Civil War General, the M4 tank became one of the
widest used tanks by the western allies during World War 2.
This was due to its reliability, ease of repair and manufacture, and that it outclassed many
of its rivals early in the war.
The popularity of the Sherman meant that it found itself being used by many nations for
prolonged periods even after it had been surpassed by more recent tanks,
with the last Shermans being retired in 2018 from the Paraguay Presidential Escort Regiment.
Having Completed the overall colour scheme, I then gave the areas that required Decals
a coat of Humbrol Satin 135 enamel, which I thinned with white spirit.
A satin or gloss varnish should be used as the base for the application of decals as
this prevents the decals from appearing sliver and shiny on the model.
The decals were soaked in warm water and then gently applied to the kit - which had already
been given a coat of humbrol decalfix solution in the relevant
position. The decals are positioned and left to cure - the solution allows for the decals
to conform to the complicated contours and details of
the model and look like they're painted on.
When the Decals had dried, the model was then given a coat of Humbrol 49 Matt Varnish enamel
again thinned with whitespirit.
Humbrol 11 silver was then dry brushed over the model to give it a light metallic effect
and highlight the details; I removed the majority of the paint off the paint brush
onto a paper towel, then, with the residual paint, I brushed it over the model and Only
the raised details will collect the silver paint and make them look slightly
chipped, as if revealing the bare metal underneath.
Another step was to pick out the small details such as the red rear lights and the shovels
on the side of the hull in relevant colours, I used acrylics for this.
The tracks were then drybrushed with some Acrylic Humbrol 53 gunmetal paint in order
to highlight the details.
When this paint was dry, the tracks were then added to the model, gently stretching them
over the wheels and pushing them into place. If all has gone well, they
should turn reasonably freely.
And here's the finished model.
I love the shape and design of this kit, although its not accurate to the original Sherman tank
or to any particular scale, I think the cartoony style is great
and will add interest to any display or collection.
The parts are well moulded and fit together well, but as mentioned the plastic is very
hard that it makes difficult to file the burrs off after removing
them from the sprue.
The kit retails for under £10 in the United Kingdom which I think is a good price, especially
as it has high quality parts, instructions and decals.
I think that it's good that it relates to a computer game too, and as a result it might
just encourage some new people into the hobby.
I think I might have to get some of the other kits in this range so that I can build a diorama
of these world war toon tanks!
As always, let me know what you think of my build, techniques and finished model in the
comments below.
I'm also keen to hear your suggestions as to other kits that you'd like to see me build
on my channel, so feel free to post that too!
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