thanks a bunch Don, I'm going with Apache then (Bison decals + DML M4A2).
I'll probably have more questions down the road.

no probs Don.

this will be a come back project as I havent done any model building for more than a year.
got lots of 90% done projects and thats why I wanted a new DML kit - something that wont occupy the workbench for a long time, a fast easy build with decent detail OOTB.
I guess it will still take quite some time to reach the decals stage but when I do I'll let you know how they are and if you want I may just send you the left overs as I believe you are more likely to model another USMC Sherman than I am.

stage II - figures.
I may want to pair the tank with a figure or two (always gives a sense of size and motion frozen in time).

would DML's new Tarawa figure set be historically correct for an Iwo Jima setting?
fatigue uniforms seems to be the same as their old Iwo Jima set and I believe the camoflauged HBT uniform is reversible.

all in action pics show the Marines' tanks driving buttoned up.
did Marines' doctrine dictate fighting with close hatches always?
this may affect my decision wether to include a tank crewman or an infantry figure (I dont want cluttered diorama, just a figure or two).

The comment I made about different units and different time periods was for the Bison Decals.

The photo below shows M4A2's on Iwo Jima, even a camouflaged can be seen in the back ground. Only 3rd tank Bn had M4A2's on Iwo, so you can tell by the type of tank and the aircraft markings on these tanks that they are all from 3rd tank bn,


I beleive with just using the DML M4A2 Tarawa kit and the Bison decals of Apache you will have a 3rd Bn Iwo tank.
The only thing more that you need to find out is did the 3rd Bn add the armor plates to sides

Quoted Text

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The comment I made about different units and different time periods was for the Bison Decals.

The photo below shows M4A2's on Iwo Jima, even a camouflaged can be seen in the back ground. Only 3rd tank Bn had M4A2's on Iwo, so you can tell by the type of tank and the aircraft markings on these tanks that they are all from 3rd tank bn,


I beleive with just using the DML M4A2 Tarawa kit and the Bison decals of Apache you will have a 3rd Bn Iwo tank.
The only thing more that you need to find out is did the 3rd Bn add the armor plates to sides

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To me it looks like there is a pale stripe on the hull side in exactly the place where the top edge of an applique armour panel would catch the light. The question then becomes is the applique from the standard uparmouring kit (which can be found in lots of Sherman models) or a field-produced one like the colour photos in my post up the thread.

That's the 3rd Battalion tank that was in the back of my mind. Looks more like the standard applique (to me anyway) - and it appears to be applied to the RH turret-front too.

I found this, another 3rd tank Bn tank

Don

DML new set is NICE!!!! The only difference between Tarawa and Iwo would be Canteens. The covers had changed to the long cross flap type on Iwo. Also the Marines made it mandatory for all Marines to carry two canteens because of heat casualties in other battles. The Tarawa set does ignore the fact that the Marines wore Leggings. But these were some times discarded during the fight. I have both the Iwo and Tarawa sets and plan to mix and match.

regarding the jacket - from the picture of Clint Eastwood I'd say the M-1941 looks like the post war M-65 jacket but with 2 slash pockets instead of the 4 sewn over large ones.
how often did the infantry wear them during combat?
you mentioned tank crews wore same uniform as the infantry - did they wear leggings too? gloves? canteens? webbing maybe? holsters for the 0,45? did each crew member carry a sidearm? any chance they had a Thompson or an M3A1 Greasegun?

the DML Iwo set also has no Leggings.
I noticed the guy with the Garand in the Tarawa set doesnt have the bandolier like those worn by the guys behind Clint (I have a copy of the movie but havent watched it yet) and like the rifleman in DMLs marines Iwo Jima set.
did ammo pouches differ too between the Tarawa landings and the Iwo Jima ones?

David,
It might be a standard size, and shape, but I will almost guarantee you that the Marine Maintenance people installed them. C Co 3rd Tanks participated in the landings at Tarawa without them. That means 3rd tanks received their M4A2’s with out the appliqué armor. By Guam they had it on. I can’t find out where they refitted. While on Tarawa, Gilbert’s book says that their retrievers were at New Caledonia. Before Guam there is mention that A Co 3rd Tanks was assigned to the new 4th Marine regiment that was made up with Marines from the disbanded Raider Battalions on Guadalcanal. Anyway you see my point that the 3rd didn’t get new tanks from the states and they would have had to do it themselves.
Don

I found this, another 3rd tank Bn tank

Don