Time out: Tamiya 1:48 scale M4 Sherman Medium Tank (early production) - part 1

The "Fury" experience..

"Fury" with Brad Pitt as the leading man is one of 2014's finest films..

So, what do I do when I don't cycle or go eating? I go to the movies. Well, at least I made an effort to entertain myself.. 
I made a beeline to the box-office to secure a ticket to the IMAX theater. 
The film shown in IMAX 2D was "Fury" and it's about a World War II US tank crew in the European campaign.
The movie's namesake: is actually an M4 Sherman medium tank. The story tells about it's battle-hardened crew who took in a rookie tanker and I must say that Fury was one of the best war films I have ever seen on the big screen.
After the credit roll was shown, it was time to head home.
But, before that, I made a pit-stop at a hobby store in the basement of 1 Utama.
There, I found a Tamiya 1:48 kit.
It was an early production M4 Sherman.

The only Tamiya model kit I could get hold of

An impressive kit in a small package

Traditionally, Tamiya produces their military miniature kits in 1:35 scale. This is slightly larger than the 1:48 kits and has more details in terms of the kit's features and armaments.
On the early production Sherman M4, what struck me was an aluminium chassis for the tank. This gives it some heft and what I am not used to seeing: are the plastic tracks for the threads. And this proved to be a real pain to assemble in the later stage.

Initial stages of building the M4 Sherman

Tamiya spray cans: a gift from the Gods!

I used to hand-paint my kits. This requires a lot of thinner to get an even coat on the hull of a tank.
For a finer finish, advanced modellers use the air brush. This is basically a constant pressure of 20 - 30 psi to get an even coat of paint on the surface of the kit. For realistic finishing, airbrushing came highly recommended.
The closest ever I came t airbrushing, was a Testors aerosol air brush kit. Which was a major disaster. Why? Well, if you keep the propellant constantly on, the nozzle will freeze. 
So, the way out of this was the Tamiya spray paint.

Tamiya's spray can for plastic kits

Steady hands for an even coat..

The spray can made life really easy.
A couple of runs and I can see the results. I get the hull sprayed and then worked on the kit's chassis.
Smaller parts are sprayed, then touched-up with a fine modelling brush.

Parts of the turret was touched-up with an acrylic-based paint

The main hull and turret assembly nearing completion

The waiting game..

With the hull assembled, what's left to do, was to work on the chassis and its undercarriage.
This proved to be a pain because there's no supply of Tamiya's XF-1 Flat Black acrylic paint.
To make things worse, there are only two hobby shops in the Klang Valley. The other way out was to risk buying stuff on-line through a store in Skudai, Johor. But that's just too risky for a bottle of paint...

Tern Link D16 - "Double Deuce"

Raising the ante..

The Tern Link D16 was introduced this year with double the gear range compared to the 8-speed Link D8.
For 2015, the second-generation Link D16 is further enhanced with better components from Shimano.
It has a double chainring with an 11-30T cogwheel to give enough range for a ride to cover flat and hilly areas.

The bike, folded...

A bike with endless possibilities...

Having a wide gear range and the option to mount luggage racks means you can configure the Link D16 as a touring bike.
Based on its sturdy design and solid handling the Tern Link D16 is capable of long-range excursions including easy transportation for bikepacking activities.

The 2015 colour scheme is awesome!

An impressive package...

The Link D16 comes with a set of Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires. 
This is the best there is for folding bikes as the tires yields lower surface friction and the ultimate in puncture protection.
Complemented with a high-profile double-walled Kinetic comp rims, you are bound to spend endless hours under the Sun with this bike without the fear of constant puncture threats. Add a Biologic trolley rack on this bike, you would have a perfect multi-modal commute bike.

Price and availability

The Tern Link D16 is going for RM2,390 and is retailed at Rodalink Bicycle stores around the Klang Valley. For a closer look, head to My Bicycle Shop at Lot G3, BU4, Bandar Utama and call Johnny Ng at 016 - 632 2599 for a sales appointment.. 

Tern Link B7 - The Bare Bones Bike

The average everyday use folding bicycle....

Basic bicycle: The Link B7

Folded

If you are one of those who are keen to "try out" a folding bike, but has no intention to go anything further than a ride from your home to the food stall or supermarket, the Link B7 would be a decent companion.

Built solid

The B7 is a no-frills bike with entry-level Shimano components to take daily abuse on the road.
Like its cousin, the Link C7, this 7-speed bike is bare to the bones. It's just a notch up from the C7 with a bottle cage holder on it's frame and a slightly better groupset.
A 14-28T cogwheel on its drivetrain allows its rider to cruise on flats as well as moderate inclines in hilly places.
And like most Tern's this bike folds fast. The only difference is the handlebar stem folds inwards.

Pricing and availability

The Tern Link B7 retails at RM1,190 and is available at Rodalink Bicycle Shops in the Klang Valley. Readily displayed bikes are also available at My Bicycle Shop,Lot G3, BU 4, Bandar Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. For a price quote: call Johnny Ng at 016-632 2599.