Sherman resin casting trouble (1 Viewer)

[Mastercom10]

Hello at all,

I have two WB Sherman M4A3 and I noticed some trouble in regard of the upper hull sides casting :

- 25136 : low border of the upper hull side is not straight as it should be but is badly curved so that tracks
are touching the underside in the middle of the hull side ( see attached photos ).

- 25207 : this time, at one place on the right upper hull side there is a bump, so the surface don't appear vertically flat as it should be.

I think it is some casting trouble with the resin which is perhaps not enough cold when coming out of the mold.

Have you also such trouble with your Shermans ?.

And also, in regard of historical accuracy , it is a pitty that WB don't make the reinforcement check on the front of the right side of the turret.
It seems that all late Shermans M4A3 wet have this feature in 1944-45.

Having said and in all cases, I like the WWII military vehicles released by WB and I am waiting for the M-10 TD.

 

[mestell]

I have 25207 and 25208. Neither of these Sherman's have the resin/mold issues as you have described.

Mike

 

[Lo1863]

I don't own any of the new WB Sherman tanks, but over the years of collecting WB off and own I will say their figures are very inconsistent when it comes to painting and whatnot. Sorry your tanks seem to have some issues.

 

[theBaron]

That's the nature of casting in resin. Sometimes a casting will warp when it comes out of the mold.

Having said that, it's more an issue of Britain's quality control, whether someone here in the US inspects the model, or whether it's done at the factory (Red China?). That piece never should have been sent out.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

That's the nature of casting in resin. Sometimes a casting will warp when it comes out of the mold.

Having said that, it's more an issue of Britain's quality control, whether someone here in the US inspects the model, or whether it's done at the factory (Red China?). That piece never should have been sent out.

Prost!
Brad

No casting will just warp when coming out of the mould. Two reasons for the resin to wharp:

Casting was taken out of the mould too early, resin did not have time to cure enough and harden inside the mould.
Reasons are rush, wrong estimated curing time or too low temparatures, easier removal of the cast from out off the mould.

Wrong or unsufficent clamping of the mould, too much or too little pressure to keep the mould halves together and as such creating distortion - most common issue.

When collecting "Garage Kits" in the early 2000´s I used to order a lot from the Garage Industry in the US. It was a nasty but proven habbit that failed castings where mainly shipped out to europa. I stopped that problem. I gave up ordering from there.

Apart from that I fully agree, I would expect some quality control especially by a brand name as well.

 

[Mastercom10]

No casting will just warp when coming out of the mould. Two reasons for the resin to wharp:

Casting was taken out of the mould too early, resin did not have time to cure enough and harden inside the mould.
Reasons are rush, wrong estimated curing time or too low temparatures, easier removal of the cast from out off the mould.

Wrong or unsufficent clamping of the mould, too much or too little pressure to keep the mould halves together and as such creating distortion - most common issue.

When collecting "Garage Kits" in the early 2000´s I used to order a lot from the Garage Industry in the US. It was a nasty but proven habbit that failed castings where mainly shipped out to europa. I stopped that problem. I gave up ordering from there.

Apart from that I fully agree, I would expect some quality control especially by a brand name as well.

Yes, I am also fully agree with you two, at 375 $ the tank it should be more quality controls so that items with issues don't be sold.

 

[jazzeum]

Have you contacted WB?

 

[OzDigger]

Yes, I am also fully agree with you two, at 375 $ the tank it should be more quality controls so that items with issues don't be sold.

Agreed, I would arrange to get replacements asap as there may be limited numbers produced.

 

[Barkmann]

Yes, I am also fully agree with you two, at 375 $ the tank it should be more quality controls so that items with issues don't be sold.

Agree, will be interested to learn what happens, i always think you can access the quality of a company on how they behave when there is something wrong. Couple of years ago i had an issue with a 1/30 tank, told the manufacturer and they replaced it no questions asked. Have spend quite a lot with them since and will continue to do so.

The price did put me off, in the UK the cheapest one i have seen available is at $475 [£390].

 

[OzDigger]

Agree, will be interested to learn what happens, i always think you can access the quality of a company on how they behave when there is something wrong. Couple of years ago i had an issue with a 1/30 tank, told the manufacturer and they replaced it no questions asked. Have spend quite a lot with them since and will continue to do so.

The price did put me off, in the UK the cheapest one i have seen available is at $475 [£390].

WOW that is expensive, prices for everything just keeps climbing, almost on a daily basis, Petrol is over AUD $2.00 per liter here, lucky I don't drive so much now I'm retired.

 

[Barkmann]

WOW that is expensive, prices for everything just keeps climbing, almost on a daily basis, Petrol is over AUD $2.00 per liter here, lucky I don't drive so much now I'm retired.

It is around AUD $2.80 here, like you i drive less and less, everything i need for everyday life is within walking distance, supermarket, pubs, takeaways, PO, place to eat, i tend to buy all my TS and books online.

 

[Desertkiwi]

Agree, will be interested to learn what happens, i always think you can access the quality of a company on how they behave when there is something wrong. Couple of years ago i had an issue with a 1/30 tank, told the manufacturer and they replaced it no questions asked. Have spend quite a lot with them since and will continue to do so.

The price did put me off, in the UK the cheapest one i have seen available is at $475 [£390].

Best option would have been to contact WB as soon as he noticed the fault IMO, however it's also good to share these sorts of issues too.

As for current prices, especially regarding vehicles, they're through the roof so you would expect better quality control from the factory.

 

[OzDigger]

It is around AUD $2.80 here, like you i drive less and less, everything i need for everyday life is within walking distance, supermarket, pubs, takeaways, PO, place to eat, i tend to buy all my TS and books online.

Same, when you retire your world shrinks smaller. And I don't buy as many TS as I used to, partly increased cost but lack of display space also a factor. Have been thinking about selling off less important sets to make some room.

 

[spartan71]

Would be great if W. Britains would contact the people that have the problek, especially if the ones in this forum that has had problems, it proves that they watch this forum, and are willing to do it right, that would impress me.

 

[jazzeum]

Have you contacted WB?

Again, I have to ask did you contact William Britain. It does no good to complain here unless you have brought this to the attention of your dealer and/or WB.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Would be great if W. Britains would contact the people that have the problek, especially if the ones in this forum that has had problems, it proves that they watch this forum, and are willing to do it right, that would impress me.

I am with Brad here, it is the customer’s place to reach out to them if the issue is important enough to do so. Britains is extremely responsive, but you have to actually contact them for them to respond.

 

[WBritain]

Hi there,
We just returned from a trade show and I am catching up on communications. Should there be a problem with any item we make, please feel free to contact us directly as we stand behind our products. Our contact information is on the box, collector’s card or insert and easy to find on the web.
Thanks,
Ken Osen
W.Britain

 

[Mastercom10]

Again, I have to ask did you contact William Britain. It does no good to complain here unless you have brought this to the attention of your dealer and/or WB.

Hello,

In first, thanks at all for your answers concerning my Sherman casting trouble.
And effectively, I will contact immediately William Britain.

 

[Desertkiwi]

Again, I have to ask did you contact William Britain. It does no good to complain here unless you have brought this to the attention of your dealer and/or WB.

It didn't come across that he was complaining, more like he was highlighting an issue he'd discovered with his tank and sharing that with forum members and seeking advice, which has kindly been provided.

I agree the manufacturer certainly needs to be informed and given an opportunity to rectify the situation, however its important to share these things, especially given the money involved.

I have no doubt WB will more than assist this customer now that this has been brought to their attention.

 

[spartan71]

I am with Brad here, it is the customer’s place to reach out to them if the issue is important enough to do so. Britains is extremely responsive, but you have to actually contact them for them to respond.

Sorry just saw this, contact the Manufacturer And let fellow Treefroggers of What's going on.. it benefits fellow Treefroggers, that might/ will invest their hard earned cash to have the choice of buying or passing it up.. just like the old days with Figarti, and Brad..