Well I think I've got my shopping list for my Sherman. Here it is:
Main body: DML/Dragon #6121 Sherman VC
Tank Workshop 75mm gun/mantlet
Aber or Eduard detail set (which one is better?)
and various stowage.
Are there any other suggestions? Ie what type of tracks.
Also seeing as how my local shop carries barely anything I'll have to order off the Internet. How safe is that to do?
Thanks for your help again.

Mike--You're getting the exact same things I am using for a Sherman right now, but I didn't bother with PE, the DML kit comes with a small fret of the necessities. The tracks provided are also correct, if you don't mind individual link tracks (three pieces per link )

Here's a link that will help you if you want to make your M4A4 very accurate: M4A4 Kit FAQ

I know how you feel about buying things over the internet. The Barrel Store is a Canadian online store, if that makes you more comfortable (shipping shouldn't be too bad either). The online order form is entirely secure, but you can also print out a fax order form. They carry Tank Workshop items, Aber and Eduard, and other companies that will have the stowage you are looking for. If you need to order the Sherman kit itself try www.militaryhobbies.com, another Canadian based store.

Nic

Aber's sets are sometimes too much. Eduard's are a good choice.
I think RHPS's T49 Three-Bar Cleat track would work for you.
Ordering online is easy and safer than you think.

Nic, what track type are in the kit?

I can't give you any useful feedback regarding the kit, but when it comes to on-line ordering have no fear. I've been shopping via internet for the past 3 - 4 years and have not have a mishap yet. Besides if somehow someone got your credit card number (very unlikely) once you turn it in to the credit card company they will refund any fraudulent purchases.

Have the kit the tracks are killer Steel chevron tracks have not put them together but they look good. Kit looks great in box anyway. Never thought about aftermarket sets but I would go with eduard as Aber which is quite nice is a real pain to remove those really really small parts without loosing half of them to rug monster. :-) . But heck maybe you have a lot more Patience then me. Keep us informed

Hi Mike,
Thanks for the TUA pics. They will come in handy. Have no fear in ordering from The Barrel store or Military hobbies, I have dealt with them both with great service, plus they will take canada post money orders. I personally like the aber set for pe but I also like to spend some time on that aspect. I just got the hold and fold from Frank at the barrel store and it is really sweet if you are going to use a lot of pe. I have the cutting set and the carpet monster is no longer a problem. Have a good one.

Pro Patria!

Thanks for the help everyone. I won't be able to start this till after the new year (one to many projects on the go, 7-8 in various stages) but I'll keep you posted on the progress when I start.

PEIRECCE. Are there any more TUA photos you want? I head out on a TOW shoot at the end of the week.

Later all.

I am good for now. Have fun blasting my hard earned tax dollars down range! I will let you know if there is anything elase I need. Have a good shoot!

I've done a couple of these vehicles now. Find Mike Canaday's web site for the dimensional corrections to the DML hull. It isn't as hard as it looks. I would also vote for th Accurate Armour update set for the Sherman V/Vc. Splendid stuff and well worth the money. I didn't use the kit tracks, except as additional armor. Too fiddly for me. Accurate Armour also makes excellent resin length tracks that work great and are very easy to build. the Eduard PE set is nice, but isn't crucial. Many M4A4's didn't have periscope brush guards, which is a primary reason to get any PE set in the first place. I also have to put in a plug for Ultracast in Canada. They make absolutely superb figures for these tanks, and some very nice decal sheets as well. Highly recommended.

Greg

That link I posted in my first post in this thread entitled M4A4 Kit FAQ is to Mike Canaday's website that Greg referred to. If you are looking for figures, I will second the Ultracast crew. I just received them in an order today, and they look fantastic. Comes with a couple extra heads too.

Nic

I just took a look at the ultracast stuff at the barrelstore website. Spetacular. I know where I'm getting my crew! I'm thinking of doing a dio with Canadian Infantry in it. Does anyone know what tank unit worked with Patricia's in Italy or Europe?

Mike--I didn't get it, but I have seen a book in Chapters all about the PPCLI. If you could get your hands on that, you could find a bunch of dio ideas I am sure. I believe it was written by David Bercuson, one of Canada's foremost miltary historians, so it should be pretty good.

Nic

Mike my dad is an old patricia and he has a really good library, I will do some sniffing around if I go over there this weekend and get back to you if I find anything. Have a good one.
Mark


When in doubt, empty your magazine!

Mike, this is straight from the Regiment by Farley Mowat. Its about the Hastings and Prince regiment in Italy/Nw Europe. He mentions many times the Pats and the supporting tank units(3 rivers regiment, Lord Strathcona Horse), in Italy. So probably if the Hasty P's fought with them the Pats also did. You should go to the library and check out the d-day dodgers, it is an excelellent book on canadian units in Italy.

We got the Patricia histroy book in the kit shop (the one you saw in chapters)I haven't bought it yet, maybe I'll thumb through it to find out.
Were our uniforms the same as the Brits in WW2?