I am thinking of getting this kit and making a diorama with it. First the review by Mr. Lebo states that there alot of inaccuracies. Don't know much about Shermans as I am more of a aircraft modeler. Could I make a more accurate kit by kitbashing it with a Tamiya kit? Did the Marines use mostly M4A2's or M4A3's? Were the deep water wading tunk things always used, or could I get away without using them? If anyone knows of some WW2 Marine Sherman references I would really appreciate if you could tell me.
Thanks

USMC0321

Yes, the kit has some inaccuracies due to the shortcuts Italeri made when converting the M4A3 into an M4A2, but unless you are showing it in a contest or are really particular, you could just build it OOB and have fun with it.

The wading trunks were used when the vehicle came ashore and were jettisoned during any heavy fighting. They kept them on if fighting was light since they would need to go back, collect them up from the beach and reinstall them once the island was secure.

The Marines were always the red-headed stepchild to the Army when tanks come to play. They probably were first equipped with the M4A2 until the Army had enough M4A3s to meet their needs. Then the Marines would get M4A3s.

Wasn't DJ working on this model kit a little while ago?

Gunnie

Thanks for your help Sabot. I think I will do a diorama with the wading turnks jettisoned. I saw a photo etch set on squadron.com so I might get that. Damn thing costs just as much as the kit though.


USMC0321

If you plan to do this kit with the wading gear jettisoned the errors of the kit will show up more...the biggest problem with the kit is the rear plate that has only the exhaust system for the M4A3 ...If you want to correct this you will need to steal the exhaust off an M10 kit ...I do believe there is also something wrong with the angle of the back plate above the exhaust system...I don't think it is at the same angle as on the M4A3 but that I can be really sure about I'll leave the other sherman experts to explain that better ...You can however build a nice M4A3 out of the box real easily...Have fun with your project.

Rick

Not for the marines M4A2, but I have sene pics recently of M4A3's in Europe with their wading trunks still on Weeks/Months after D-Day. I would leave the trunks on as this is one of the distinctive feastures of the Marine tank in the Pacific.

Hi guys I have just finished this kit I took the a3 option Its not a bad kit considering the price but look out for the rear Idler axles the tracks rip them off.

The kit has, shall we say, serious issues. It purports to be a late,47-degree dry-stowage M4A2. It is really some sort of hermaphrodite creature. The angle of the upper rear plate is much too steep, being that of the M4A3. This needs to be made much more steep--only twelve degrees from vertical. This means cutting off the rear plate entirely and CAREFULLY sanding the hull sides to the required angle before replacing the plate. As noted above, the lower plate and exhaust arrangement is also that of the M4A3; totally wrong. With the wading trunks in place this isn't a huge issue. Also, note that this late hull shape A2 should have the applique armor over the sponson ammunition bins while the A3 with the same basic shape should not--it was wet stowage. Yeah, a few A3's came off the line with dry stowage and applique in 47-degree form but not many.

Greg