1/72 M-26 (T26E3) Pershing Heavy Tank from Pegasus

This is my first completion while under social distancing lockdown in California. As luck would have it, just before this started I began an initiative to reduce my stache and hone some modeling skills. My objective is to finish a simple no-frills OOB build from my personal little "hobby shop" each month in addition to ongoing work on regular long term projects. No frills means no aftermarket PE or resin additions, no exotic weathering or damaging. Just build and paint .

Buying this kit was inspired by the book Spearhead by Adam Makos which I recently read. This is the best book on WWII tank combat I've read. It is an in-the-tank chronicle of the life of a tank crew that manned one of the first Pershings deployed in combat. It is highly recommended for any student of WWII ETO or of armoured warfare.

This kit was originally distributed by Trumpeter. This is not a kit for beginners. The detail of the suspension and idler are quite finicky and fragile once assembled. Especially annoying given the too-short rubber tracks.

I used a simple process. Assemble everything and paint with the wheels and drive gear left off. I primed it in black and then added white highlighting, then gradually built up OD green. Then I applied a semi-gloss coat followed by decals and some pin washes and highlighting. Added some "dirt" to the lower portions with Tamiya brown panel liner. Finished with a dull coat.

15 additional images. Click to enlarge.