Could someone tell me if I could use Italeris M4A1 Sherman to represent a Sherman for Canadians in Italy say 1943-44? I want to build a dio and have ready access to this model.

Thanks

HastyP

I don't think we got any late M4A1s we were more M4 composites and M4A4s ,but I could be wrong ...I do know that some British units did get a few in Italy...

Rick

Disclosure: I'm no expert, but...

The Canadian version of the M4A1 Sherman tanks were named "Grizzly". The main difference between the "Sherman" and "Grizzly" tanks were the use of CDP (Canadian Dry Pin) tracks and an idler with 13 teeth instead of 17 teeth, and I think they were only fitted with 75mm guns. (?) - unlike the Italeri kit which provides a 76mm. (incorrect one at that)
I do know that some were sent to Europe, although I do not know if they were in Italy, while most remained home for training purposes.
Other M4A1 "Grizzly's" were converted into the Skink, which was a pretty cool AA tank, though better used on infantry because there were not enough German planes to shoot at.

Hiya HastyP......Most Canadian armoured Reg'ts got the M4A1 late equipped with the 105mm.....but too bad for you....none were used in Italy....only France Belgium and Holland....grab a 105mm turret and change your time line and place and Bob's your uncle.

What the heck does this mean? I've never heard that expretion before.

It means "tickety-boo" if that's any help. Or close to "easy peasy, Lemon Squeezy"

Well so far I can't find anything about them being issued to the Canadians but They were used by the British, Poles, South Africans and the Kiwis. I am no Expert but I can tell you who to ask. Try over at Missing Lynx and ask the question to Steve Guthrie (Not positive on the spelling there?) He I am sure can fill you in. And for information purposes only the Grizzly was made by the Montreal Locomotive works after completion of the Ram II contracts. It differed from the standard M4A1 in the use of the Canadian Dry Pin Tracks (as stated by Kencelot) with a 17 tooth Drive wheel.and having British Wireless sets standard from the factory. They were only produced between September-December 1943 with a total production of 188 units. It was then decided to let all Sherman Production be done in the US. So The Grizzly was not a common one to find. They did as Kencelot said make 3 Skinks one of which was tested operationally with the 2nd Canadian Army in 1945.
HTH
Jeff Larkin

Sorry, If I'm late to this conversation, but...

No, I'm afraid you can't use the old Italeri M4A1 for any Canadian vehicle. It represents the late hull M4A1 with the large hatches and, armed with the 76mm gun, that was only found in a polish unit in NW Europe and, I think one or two British regiments in Italy in 1945.

You can't swap the turret for a 105 because the 105 was not fitted to the M4A1 hull, just the M4 and M4A3 hulls.

In 1943 Canadian units in Italy used the M4 75mm, M4A1 75mm, M4A2 75mm and the M4A4 75mm.

HTH

Paul