Hello from Australia, I wonder if anyone knows if and when Dragon, or anyone else for that matter, will release a British m4a4 sherman in 1/35.
Many thanks, Paul

Paul, DML's first Allied Kit in 1/35th back in the mid nineties was the Sherman Vc Firefly closely followed by a standard 75 M4A4 which had markings for a british example. They in turn followed this up with a Coldstream Guards "Tulip" M4A4 with 60 lb Aircraft rockets. Both these kits had all the unique british fittings such as stowage bins , extinguishers etc. The Firefly has gone through another two incarnations to its current kitting. The M4A4 was re released on a limited run basis last year using the upgraded parts from the latest Vc.
Tasca Released a very nice Vc Firefly a year ago to rave reviews. This kit can be the basis of a superb M4A4 75 by adding an aftermarket turret or a kit turret such as Tamiyas M4, DML M4A2/Sherman III, etc or an aftermarket such as Formations. I'm sure Tasca will eventually do an M4A4 75 as they have a nice early 75mm turret from the M4A1.
In 72nd scale DMl released two kits of the M4A4 75 which parrallel the original releases in 35th. Beware as they really got the decals wrong on some examples.
Cheers
Al

Dragon had a M4A4 offering in the past.
Try Ebay. Maybe you can find that kit there.

I am going to make a Sherman M4A4 myself with Sherman kits from Tasca as soon as they arrive from Lucky model.com.

It would be great when dragon came out with one.

Good luck,
Frank.

Hi PAul,

if you get the Tasca Firefly and M4A1 you could switch the turrets and make a Mk V and a Firefly Ic Hybrid !

(Me thinks!)

Have fun

Al

Not quite, since the Tasca M4A1 is not a hybrid. And no fireflies were made on the M4A1.

Rob

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Robert, Alan means the Canadian attemt to fit a firefly turret on a grizly hull !?
They never saw any action.

Frank.

Not Quite Alan. There were no Firefly IIc's and the Hybrid hull is on an M4. Whilst automotively similar to the M4A1 thats where the similarity ends. I would have preferred a Hybrid from tasca but they went with an M4A1.
An alterante is to get the tasca Vc and the Tamiya M4 and do a swap for an M4A4 75 and a Welded Hull Firefly 1c
CHeers
AL

Oops, Sorry my mistake

Yip easiest swop would be a Tamiya M4 Turret onto the Firefly for an M4A4 75mm Mk V and the Firefly turret onto the M4 giving you an M4 Firefly Ic.

However, if you want a Hybrid, the Dragon Firefly Ic is still around and you could build that as is or do a switch with a Tamiya M4 for a M4 75mm Hybrid and an M4 Firefly Ic. The possibilities are endless

By now I assume this is getting pretty confusing so here are some possibilities

Sherman M4A4 75mm Mk V (late)
Built on Dragon Firefly VC and Tamiya M4 75mm early (The new Tasca kit would be better)



From the left overs you could make
a M4 Firefly Ic



Whilst the New Tasca Firelfy is a better kit than the Dragon one, the advantage of the Dragon kit is the additional set of tracks and duckbills (individual links) love them or hate them they give more choice in finish.

if you go for the Tasca/Tamiya route it might be worth getting a set of early and late gun manteles from Resicast for an M4A4 Mk V (early) and a stowage set from Accurate Armour. Don't know if the Tasca kit comes with a tow rope or not.

Sherman M4A4 Mk V (early)
Built on the Dragon Firefly VC and Tamiya M4 Early with a Dragon Early Gun Mantel



Apologies for any confusion on my part.

Have fun whatever way you decide to go.

Wouldn't it be so much easier with a new M4A4 75 mm and a new M4 both with optional DV hulls and early late gun mantles D - dream on

Cheers

Al