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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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Is Dragon's BoB Sherman OOP?
sweaver
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 19, 2007
KitMaker: 759 posts
Armorama: 410 posts
Posted: Friday, January 25, 2008 - 11:08 PM UTC
Does anyone know if Dragon's M4A3 (76mm) Sherman is out of production? Squadron hasn't had it in stock for a long time, and I can't find it anywhere else. According to HLJ, the "Bastogne" figure set that comes with it is discontinued.

Thanks in advance!
Samuel
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
Joined: December 02, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 12:18 AM UTC
You can find one on eBay :
Dragon kit #6255

HTH
Frenchy
ericadeane
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Michigan, United States
Joined: October 28, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 04:03 AM UTC
It shouldn't surprise you that it's OOP as the M4A3E8 Thunderbolt kit is much better and accurate. I'd recommend that one over the "bulge" one.
sweaver
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 19, 2007
KitMaker: 759 posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 10:25 AM UTC
Thanks for the replys, guys.

Roy: Thanks for the pointer. I'm not too dissapointed because I was lucky enough to be able to pick up the Bastogne figure set at my LHS. This was one of the main reasons I wanted the kit anyway.

-Samuel
exer
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Dublin, Ireland
Joined: November 27, 2004
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Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:29 PM UTC

Quoted Text

It shouldn't surprise you that it's OOP as the M4A3E8 Thunderbolt kit is much better and accurate. I'd recommend that one over the "bulge" one.


Two different versions Roy. If you want to built an M4A3 from the Thunder bolt VII M4A3E8 you'd need a new lower hull and a V Vss suspension set
ALBOWIE
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New South Wales, Australia
Joined: February 28, 2006
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Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 11:34 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks for the replys, guys.

Roy: Thanks for the pointer. I'm not too dissapointed because I was lucky enough to be able to pick up the Bastogne figure set at my LHS. THis was one of the main reasons I wanted the kit anyway.

-Samuel


Not only did it come with a set of BoB figures it came with a set of the DML US tank crew also.
Al
sweaver
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: April 19, 2007
KitMaker: 759 posts
Armorama: 410 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 09:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

It shouldn't surprise you that it's OOP as the M4A3E8 Thunderbolt kit is much better and accurate. I'd recommend that one over the "bulge" one.


Two different versions Roy. If you want to built an M4A3 from the Thunder bolt VII M4A3E8 you'd need a new lower hull and a V Vss suspension set


Good point.

So if I wanted to build a M4A3 (76mm) VVSS Sherman, is the BoB kit the best one, or should I go with the Italeri one?

BTW, being really fascinated with the Battle of the Bulge, could you guys recommend any good books on the subject? I would like to know more about where the different armored divisions fought as well as where Creighton Abrams was deployed. I ask this partly because while researching the M4A3E8 kit Roy mentioned, I saw that one of the tanks you could build was from the 4th Armored Div while in Bastogne. Also, both of Tamiya's M4A3 Shermans are said to belong to the 6th Armored, a division they say played a major role in the relief of Bastogne, but that I can't find mentioned in any of my books.

Thanks for all the replys!
-Samuel
m4sherman
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Arizona, United States
Joined: January 18, 2006
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Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 09:36 AM UTC
Your best bet for info on the 6th is to Google "6th Armored Division". I did and came up with some good reference sites.

The 6th is often treated like a bastard step child. The division saw just as much combat as the 4th, but got a fraction of the press.

For BoB information, I like the Bulge book by After The Battle. It is pricey, but has a treasure trove of info.
jowady
Joined: June 12, 2006
KitMaker: 1,027 posts
Armorama: 683 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 10:19 AM UTC
[quote][quote]
Quoted Text



So if I wanted to build a M4A3 (76mm) VVSS Sherman, is the BoB kit the best one, or should I go with the Italeri one?

BTW, being really fascinated with the Battle of the Bulge, could you guys recommend any good books on the subject? .

Thanks for all the replys!
-Samuel


I have the DML Sherman and its a very nice model. As for books, I can recommend the Army's Green Book on the Ardennes as well as John Eisenhower's "The Bitter Woods." Remember though, there is much more to the Bulge than Patton, Abrahms, Bastogne and the 4th Armored.

John
HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: May 07, 2003
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Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 11:14 AM UTC
Stretching the memory a bit, but was the BoB M4A3(76)W the last kit without raised weld seams, or the first with them?
And I agree that there is much more to the Ardennes Offensive once you get a couple of good books!
Cheers
Brad
jowady
Joined: June 12, 2006
KitMaker: 1,027 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 11:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Stretching the memory a bit, but was the BoB M4A3(76)W the last kit without raised weld seams, or the first with them?
And I agree that there is much more to the Ardennes Offensive once you get a couple of good books!
Cheers
Brad


Last without, but it does have photo etch and the clear headlights and periscopes, as well as the slide molded .50 caliber,and an aluminum main gun barrel in addition to the tank crew and 101st figures. For the money it may have been the best deal on a Sherman. I added AFV club workable T-48 tracks (I just can't make the link by link DML stuff). BTW, my Dad was in the Bulge and saw a bit of fighting (his words.) He wasn't (at that time) in 3rd Army, but First. The movie Patton gives the impression that only the Third was fighting, which is far from the truth. My Latin teacher in HS was in the 101st at Bastogne, he disagreed vehemently with this whole "rescue by Patton" view.

John

John
jowady
Joined: June 12, 2006
KitMaker: 1,027 posts
Armorama: 683 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 27, 2008 - 02:40 PM UTC
[quote][quote]
Quoted Text



So if I wanted to build a M4A3 (76mm) VVSS Sherman, is the BoB kit the best one, or should I go with the Italeri one?

Thanks for all the replys!
-Samuel


Actually the Dragon kit was such a fun build that the next time its available (it seems to rotate in and out of production) that I plan to buy a couple more.

John
2t2_crash
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Okinawa-ken, Japan / 日本
Joined: December 23, 2006
KitMaker: 29 posts
Armorama: 23 posts
Posted: Monday, February 04, 2008 - 11:50 AM UTC
I am currently working on the BOB kit, the tracks are a beast and there is a bit of a gap problem by the exhaust deflector but all in all a fun build. wish I had the time to finish it but I hit the point of "do I paint then add more, add all and paint or what "
plus I have a 2 year old that occupies the time
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