Not the announced MK iii Sicily version but the previous M4A2s. What is wrong with them? Please advise as I have a Mk III on the shelf.

Thanx Doug

Hi Doug,

There are good reviews over on PMMS that are worth a read.

http://perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6313.htm

They should highlight any specific issues with the kits. After that and once you have decided on where/when and even a specific vehicle I'd post again for specifics.

I haven't built either yet, so can't add anything from personaly experienced. There is a good build article over on Mil Mod if your going to use the Mk III in N Africa.

Here's a blog on the Tarawa Kit

http://www.militarymodelling.com/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=1662&V=6&SP=

and one for the Mk III

http://www.militarymodelling.com/forum/forummessages.asp?dt=4&UTN=2578&V=6&SP=

Hope that helps.

Al

Here are the in box reviews from Armorama for both kits.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/2125
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/2167


The truth is there's not much wrong with them. The periscopes are too far forward on the welded hoods on the Tarawa kit and there are some minor dimensional issues with some parts. On the Mk III there the stowage rails should have spacers behind them to make them stand away from the hull. That's about it. Nothing that should stop you building either kit

Hi Pat,

Grand reviews, thanks for reminding me about those.

Doug, you should have more than enough to work on for now.

Al

Thanx guys. I was hearing bad things about them from the "kit" builders. Far better than the Tamiya/ Italeri kits that I normally use.

Thanx again Doug

Both are excellent Sherman Kits but like almost all kits their are small errors. Most notable are the Welded hoods which have too thin a face therefore the periscopes are up against the face as oppossed to being back from them. The markings for the rear hull plate bolts (vertical line) need to be moved to the left and not central. The Engine Deck access doors do not have enough "bars" in them and a few other little things only the most experienced Shermaholic will know. There is also a small fit problem with the 1 piece nose

The Sherman III has the same hull rear and engine access door problem and has incorrectly shaped Cast hoods but they are still the best out there. It also is missing the spacers for the Sunshield mounts/rail.

All of these are really easy to correct excepting the engine access hatches (but hardly noticeble). They are both great kits, it's just that some reviewers and critics have decided that the faults are more major than they really are (although these same reviewers (not listed in the above posts) seem to excuse major errors in other brands of Sherman Kits.

Al

Sounds like a lotta hoopla about minor fixes. My question about Sherman III's:
Did some eventually get turret cheek and hull side applique armor? I have an Italeri Marine Sherman,Formation Sherm III turret& bustle/hull stowage. Have an applique set from TWS I think. Is this a do-able project?
OT a little,but thanks for your views and help!
Cheers!
Rick

thanks for the links Al!!! i was wondering the same thing.

-tim