Hi guys,

does anyone can help to determine if the Dragon kit 6313 can be used in a scene in the Normandy Campaign? I have seen a lot of pictures but it's very hard for me to distinguish if they are M4A2 or M4A4. Some of then still retaining the narrow mantlet protection with the exposed MG co-axial gun.
Any pics or sites to research will be welcomed.

Thanks a lot,

Gelson

Hey Gelson,
While it's more likely that this version would have been seen in Italy, it's possible that a few of this model of the Sherman III were used in Normandy.
By some accounts, the British preferred the M4A2's over all the other types as they were considered less likely to "brew up" because of their use of diesel fuel and were reserved for British units.
Perhaps one of the experts on the site can answer your question more thoroughly.
Cheers

jjumbo

75mm M4A2s were used by Commonwealth forces in Normandy but like John said, they were most often seen in Italy. Some identification points for you (besides the rear hull and engine decks which belie the main differences): if you see a 1-piece transmission cover, it's never an M4A4 (they only had 3-piece), the M4A4 had a glacis antenna pot that was "squashed" in appearance -- the M4A2 had a sharper piece. The M4A4 had a lengthened hull and a wider gap is visible between the roadwheels. Also, while tracks were interchangeable, there are tendencies: M4A4 are pictured wearing T-62, T48 and T54E2 tracks. The M4A2 had T-49, WE210 and T54E2

Gelson

There are no problems with using virtually any version of the Sherman III (except possibly one with M3 type bogies) in NWE. Sherman IIIs were issued to several independent armoured brigades while the Sherman V (M4A4) went to the Guards and 11th armoured divisions.

David

As always Roy,
you the man

malc

The particular variant of Sherman III that DML depicted in their kit was photographed quite bit in NWE mainly serving within the British 8th (A foxes head as the Formation sign)and 27 Armoured (A seahorse as the formation Sign) bdes who were initially equipped almost entirely (some DD and Firefly differences) with M4A2 of almost all models. Despite noted luminaries claiming that this particular variant never served in NWE there are many photos of such variants and a few threads with good photos on Missing lynx have been devoted to this subject. A copy of Concords british Sherman, British Tanks in of WW2 vol 1 and 2 will yield many such photos as will british Tanks in Normandy.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/47208/thread/1187100820/Dragon+Sherman+111
Cheers
Al

Thanks a lot, people. You are the guys .

Best regards,

Gelson