Commanders forward turret sight and tracks

[Gary Sullivan]

Can anybody help with the diamentions of the commander forward sight in some photographs the block looks roughly the same size of a turret boss.
Also I would like any views and or any guidance on tracks ,is it best to leave the tracks as casted or paint them,I would like to paint them to give them a more realistic look but I do not know what would be the best way to carry this out or what would be the best product to paint/spray them with any help would be great fully appreciated.

[Dave Boller]

Hi Gary. I don't know that you'll be able to get an exact answer to this one. The sight is a rather small non-essential part, that if I recall correctly, may have been a field modification. Meaning, there won't be any such records of it, characteristics of it would vary somewhat, and not all tanks would even necessarily have it. It is a small, simple structure to scratch-build, and I think you can pretty accurately "guess-timate" it's demensions using the relative size of objects nearby(such as you've done). Always temper this by "how it looks to the eye" as well. You should be able to come out pretty accurately this way. Besides, realistically speaking, is anyone really going to take a ruler to it and prove you wrong? Oh, and don't forget the vertical post welded to the front cupola periscope to go with it. As for the treads, they're a nice metallic color already. Clean them up good, then using a brush, I would just give them a "wash" of flat black enamel/metal primer paint for contrast, then a "wash" of rust-colored over it. Maybe even a brown "wash" for dirt-effect. The sloppier, the better, but wait for each layer to dry first and try not to blend the colors too much. Keep in mind, if you are "RC-ing" it, the upper surfaces will be worn bare. That's why you use a "wash", to drive the paint deep into the nooks and cranies. I think some people go too far over-board with the rust-effects. Rust has different qualities according to it's age. Remember these tanks were never more than a year old before the war ended. Most, by and large, were far less than that. The tanks we see today are decades old. Good luck with your build.

[Gary Sullivan]

Dave
Thanks for the info and views on the sight ,I will build some mock ups and see which looks right .

[Dave Boller]

Glad to be of help, and good luck again.