Academy M4A2 Sherman

[James Tainton]

Decided to try out some allied stuff and saw this newer version of Academy's M4A2. This one has a corrected angle to the rear plate.

here is the box art
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17142&img=Sherman_Box_Top.jpg

and then I started in step 2. which is the boogie wheels construction. There is a bit of clean-up were the mold seam is but the deatils on this kit suspension parts looks pretty good to me. The plastic is a bit softer than Dragon's but not as soft as AFV's. There are three different type road wheels; early, mid and a dish type (of which there are only two in the kit.) I choose to do the mid type. There is a detailed inner hub (A-12) included with this kit and it slips into the main wheel (A-13) from behind.
http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17151&img=8859Untitled-1.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17145&img=boogies5.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17147&img=boogies7.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17148&img=boogies1.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17146&img=boogies6.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17143&img=boogies3.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17150&img=boogies9.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17149&img=boogies8.jpg

http://www.kitpic.com/is.php?i=17144&img=boogies4.jpg ;)

[sharkmouth]

Hi James,

There was at least one example of a late 75mm M4A2 captured by the Germans from the Soviets. It was marked with crosses and used against the former owners until knocked out.

Some things to consider, the roadwheels are missing prominent rivets. I used TMD's wheels on my kit. Since yours are already mounted, some punched sheet or sliced sprue will do the trick.

On the turret, the gunner's sight housing is a little on the small side. Also, the loader's hatch is too large. Most would not notice so it is up to you. I replaced the turret with the Trakz example. On the Trakz turret, I used the smaller of TMD's loader's hatch from their replacement set.

Three bar tracks on the beast in the East.

If building PTO, these late vehicles were used in many places. Go to Hard Corps Models website for inspiration...David Harper has done some great sets.

Regards,
Saúl

[James Tainton]

Thanks for the input Saul- these wheels aren't actually glued in place- just a dry fit for camera. Maybe you can pinpoint these rivets I need to add in a photo? Also can we see your model? ;)

[Mike Sherman]

Hi James,

I guess Saul means the rivits on the inside of the rim.
See also the review on the TASCA Sherman VVSS suspension set at the PMMS website (http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/).

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0UwDpAqUZZT3SisFX*7wFiCcX!Z*h6!8uVC*TzrURjSKYk4pij UoNlEn9uK7KcENpmMBHWpFx4AMJCPPt6ZyN81RiDYx1abgiHBH E4ZySqNPyDkjxycei43tCFvsw9*8t/tasca35007b5.jpeg http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0WgDPAggcpgCAxqhVgwROo0IYnuvpJRXQ3tBJyQKZchsYzT!2s s3yw4NrM7UCiWxkz7qFciOVoUxuAERWVvWCm2H0ctTo2kJ7JOW 8zPvyn0ym3Vu0422pqqM3IoYT0Bm9eZu0Vy4tOMs/M4%20Bogie%20section.jpg
1st photo: copyright © 1997-2005 Terry Ashley & PMMS.



Cheers,
Mark

[tamigawa]

Wow, the mighty panzerfaust has stooped so low as to get some allied armor :o ;)

[panamadan]

Why is that "stooping"? :angry:

[Finnmodeler]

Hi James,
you might be interested to know that Lionmarc is going to release this marked part in PE:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b323/Finnmodeler/Shermanparts.jpg

Br,
Niko