Heya, Folks,

I just got the Tasca M4A1 Sherman and want to model it as USMC on Cape Gloucester...

I know that I need to pick up a Formations M34A1 mantlet and a set of T-49 cleat tracks... Not to mention a couple of sets of those spacers to go inside the bogie housings...

Pictures are hard to come by and usually, the tank turrets are facing away from the camera and the tracks are obscured by mud...

My questions are: Would the spoked wheels be more appropriate (as opposed to the pressed wheels)? And would the later track skid which is slightly squashed (it is the most common skid in pictures) be more appropriate than the other, half round skids supplied?

Markings seem to be mimimal and I haven't seen any photos with vehicle names --- perhaps because the Marines only used the M4A1 this one time? Anyone know if these vehicles got nicknames...?

As always, many thanks, follks!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

I did some digging and did not come up with any info on markings. The M4A1's in the Pacific at this time seemed to have the M34A1 mantlets, the spoked wheels and the early J shaped track skids. They actually all looked quite a bit alike. Not sure about the Marine use of the M4A1 other than Glouster, but there are very few pictures of the 'A1 in Marine service. One book I have read said that these tanks were on loan from the Army. I do not know if that is true or not. The early narrow mantlet does show up on occasion, and applique armor as well later on. Hopefully some one will know more about the markings.

Ya know, I didn't even think about the applique armor... Are you saying that you found pictures of Marine M4A1's on Cape Gloucester with the applique armor...?

Thanks, Randall!

Regards and Aloha,

Johnny B.

Havoc, I was not saying that the Marine M4A1 tanks had applique, only that some M4A1's in the Pacific at about the same time do. I found one picture that is identified as Cape Glouster in the Hunnicutt Sherman book. There is a better print in one of my Japanese books, and the tank appears to have low visibilty markings (or overpainted white marking) and a paint sceme similar to the Marine 75mm half tracks photographed on the island. The only clear detail is the number 15 on the front of the turret and on the side of the bustle at the rear. This is the best I can do with the references that I have. Again, with any luck someone will know a bit more.

Had a look in my copy of Tanks Illustrated 29 and the M4A1s at Cape Gloucester are as described above - spoked wheels, wide mantlet, asymmetric skids and no applique. They are definitely painted in a two-tone camouflage scheme of wide bands of some dark colour over the OD. Markings are sparse; they can only be made out in two photos - the turret number of one is a bit blurred as it's landing from an LST but is either 15 or 16, the other is shown 3/4 rear and is number 10. The number 10 looks like it may be repeated on one of the engine access doors on the lower hull rear.

There's also a partial front view which doesn't show any signs of markings on the nose.

David

It does NOT get any better than this!

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1110310948/

Read Ed Gilbert's posting very carefully though.

David

Thanks, Guys,

Awesome help! David, that Missing Lynx thread is a huge help.

Unless I missed it, I am going to assume that the rounded air cleaners (as opoosed to the squared off ones) are the way to go.

Thanks again!

Regards and Much Aloha,

Johnny B.

Square air cleaners are visible in the colour photo.

David