“Garage find” Tamiya M26 Pershing just needing a little TLC

[Rubicon99]

I was planning on replacing my very old Heng Long built up tried and true M26 Pershing with a new one some day. The Heng Long Pershing was once a “garage find” years ago and was in sad shape when it was found. A lot of work later it became one of my favorite tanks. Unfortunately it reached the end of its useful life a year or so ago and became a “shelf queen” that needed a complete overhaul. It was inline to have the overhaul done until something of a surprise came up.

Well as the title says I found another M26 Pershing. This time a full option Tamiya M26 that had been sitting on a garage shelf covered in dust and unused for years. The owner of the M26 was the second and had only driven it a few times back when he first bought it from the original builder/owner.

I offered him a price based on the visual conditions and the work needed to get it running, look fresh and battling. Roughly 1/3 of the price of a new one. Surprisingly he accepted and was happy to clear up the shelf space.

When I got the Tamiya Pershing home I gave it a thorough inspection and found the tank to be in better running conditions then expected. It had rotted fiber optic lighting “wires” that needed to be removed and the suspension needed just a little tweaking. Through in a new RX and battery and it fired right up and was running.

The overall basic paint job was OK but IMO lacked depth so I went ahead and added light weathering. It also lacked any accessories which add character so I went ahead and salvaged a bunch from my old HL Pershing.

The original Tamiya tracks were in not so good of shape do to their age and lack of use, so I replaced them with a set of IMPACT T84 tracks (accurate for a 1950s era M26) that work great and look A LOT meaner.

Below are photos of the tanks as I found it and then a few hours later with weathering, accessories and new tracks.

VVVV Fresh off the garage shelf


VVVV A few hours later after some TLC .....


Now to get it out on the tank obstacle course for full operational and battle testing....

[Rubicon99]

Here are a few more photos of the Tamiya M26 during light field testing. I think I am going to name this tank “Kitty Killer”.

[SoCalBobS]

Looks a lot better than the HL version with the skirts.

[Olddowl53]

I have the H/L 5.3 M26. I am planning doing the 6.0 thing after I tune up the rest of the tanks. As you both know the basic H/L M26 is not as detailed as some of the other tanks, so....I'm going to try to make it more "worldly" by following your example. Both you R99 and SCBob have been great examples to me just how realistic and cool all my tanks can be if you just take a little time and effort. Right now all of my tanks are basic right of the the box. A couple like me Leopard, KV-1 & M41 have started to get the real world dust and grime on them because I have ran them in the dirt a lot, and frankly they look a lot better. I have resisted dusting them off and cleaning them. But with that said I need to learn how to do the basic weathering and distressing that make the tanks look like they have been on the battle field. Anyway, I love what you did with your "garage find" M26.

[Rubicon99]

I have the H/L 5.3 M26. I am planning doing the 6.0 thing after I tune up the rest of the tanks. As you both know the basic H/L M26 is not as detailed as some of the other tanks, so....I'm going to try to make it more "worldly" by following your example. Both you R99 and SCBob have been great examples to me just how realistic and cool all my tanks can be if you just take a little time and effort. Right now all of my tanks are basic right of the the box. A couple like me Leopard, KV-1 & M41 have started to get the real world dust and grime on them because I have ran them in the dirt a lot, and frankly they look a lot better. I have resisted dusting them off and cleaning them. But with that said I need to learn how to do the basic weathering and distressing that make the tanks look like they have been on the battle field. Anyway, I love what you did with your "garage find" M26.

Its not hard to do a light paint and chalk weathering on an “outdoor runner”. In fact if you saw me doing it you would be shocked at just how easy and unsophisticated it is.

The trick is understanding what will eventually get covered up with real dirt, mud, dust and scratches. You can spend a lot of time doing a great “static” weathering on a tank only to have it almost complete covered in dust and dirt after a few driving sessions outdoors.

There is a difference IMO between what a display tanks weathering encompasses and a tank that is going to be driven a lot outdoors. Mine are all outdoor tanks so it’s quick and easy, then I let nature do the rest.

[SoCalBobS]

Olddowl, doing weathering and distressing is a journey not a destination. Youtube has a wealth of videos on weathering. Just remember a lot of it is for static models in a moment in time. Usually it involves a lot of mud and rust! I daresay crews don't let their tanks stay so dirty. Just pick techniques that work for you. One I like is "sponging", where you dab a bit of sponge with dark brown paint on it, giving a rust effect. Very simple and easy. Those of us in the Southwest have seen it on many old pieces of machinery left outside.

[UltraVargen]

Rubicon99 What a cool find and she looks great!

Btw, I noticed the later type suspension on your Sherman in that last shelf-picture. Is that per chance an aftermarket set that would fit a Heng Long Sherman? And if so, which brand is it?

[Rubicon99]

Rubicon99 What a cool find and she looks great!

Btw, I noticed the later type suspension on your Sherman in that last shelf-picture. Is that per chance an aftermarket set that would fit a Heng Long Sherman? And if so, which brand is it?

That is a Tamiya M4 Sherman (IDF M51 theme in photo). The Tamiya Sherman’s use the HVSS wide track suspension that was on later production tanks.

Sadly Tamiya has recently discontinued their Sherman’s (after almost 50 years of production) and spare parts are drying up FAST. If you could find the parts it is relatively easily adapted the HVSS to the HL Sherman. It would require also changing the sprocket and idler as well.

[UltraVargen]

Thanks. Aw, that is too bad. I did a quick search online, but it'll be difficult to source the parts. Would've been nice to make an authentic "Fury" Sherman.

[Rubicon99]

Thanks. Aw, that is too bad. I did a quick search online, but it'll be difficult to source the parts. Would've been nice to make an authentic "Fury" Sherman.

Hooben makes a “Fury” type M4EZ8. It needs BETTER electronics and the suspension is not as durable as it could be. Nowhere near the Tamiya level of durability and smoothness.

The Hooben with a little work can be made into a good running and looking tank. But trust me it is not that when you receive it.

[Rubicon99]

Since I did not build the tank and install the IR emitter I had to find its “zero”. So off the the gunnery range and firing at target tanks. Shown belong are three of the six tanks that were active targets with their IR systems turned on to indicate hits. I used both Tamiya and HL tanks as targets. The tanks in the photo are ~45’ away. The ones not in the photo were ~70’ away.

I was pleasantly surprised the IR emitter was well placed and the Pershing proved an easy tank to aim, fire and score hit fast with.

Sorry for the grainy photo it is a screen shot from the video of the testing. A short clip can be seen on my Instagram @ fsttanks.

[Olddowl53]

R99 & SCBob, thank you for your response and advice. All my tanks are or will be used out side with my grandsons, so even I love the super detailing that some of the "shelf queens" have I just want to make them more realistic. So.... some lite weathering and natural dirt sounds like the way to go. I think some of the additional accessories like extra bags, fuel cans and maybe a log once in awhile would add the extra detail is maybe all I'm looking for. I learned not to freak out if my Jagpanther lost one of its ropes or the Challenger smoke launcher didn't make it back. With that said, I truly appreciate how some tanks have been made to look absolutely real.