Hi all,

Our club has an annual group build we do for the fun and camaraderie. This time around, the subject is WWII armored vehicles based on the Sherman chassis. After a bit of looking around the vendor tables at a recent show near home, I opted for Tamiya's early M4A3 with the duckbill tracks. Apologies if I'm getting my nomenclature mixed up, This is only my third armor model in 35 years of modeling!

I picked this model for its simplicity, but I do plan on making some fixes to the sponson boxes and possibly the road wheels. However, I could use a little direction on a couple of other possible upgrades.

First, I look at the variety of tracks that the Sherman used and I get light-headed. T45-32-52... Anyways, what is the nomenclature for the type of track that would be correct for this model?

Second: Given that I spent 2 1/2 years assigned to 2nd Armored Division, I would like to do this tank in 2ndAD markings. Can anyone point me to reference pictures that would place this version of the Sherman with the 2ndAD? Maybe Sicily? I dunno. Also, what about decals?

Third: I would like to try using a turned aluminum barrel with rifling and I know there are several out there. What type is appropriate for this model and what manufacturers are better?

Many thanks for your help.

Stew

Grumpyoldman, Dave O meara did a really good article on this kit here It includes a link to a tweaks list on Tim Streeters’ site, US Army Models.com.

This site has some good info on correcting the Tamiya kit:

http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya.html

Enjoy your build.

Pat/Marc,

Thanks so much for the quick and friendly reply with useful information.

Just got home. The specifics on the kit are:
Tamiya M4A3 Sherman, V V S S , 75mm, Late Model, Kit # 35122

I'll go check out those references.

Thanks again,

Stew

The M4A3 (W), which is what the Tamiya kit is, didn't serve in Sicily, at least not in combat. For a 2nd AD vehicle you probably want to do NW Europe, starting (I think) with Operation Cobra.

Oh, if you are going with the "duckbill" track (extended end connectors) then you are going from the fall of '44 on, so you could, for example, do the Drive to the Roer river. Duckbills continued to be used until the end of the war. You could certainly go with T-48 track with duckbills, Cyber-hobby sells a very nice set of Dragon styrene. Many Shermans sported only bumper codes and registration numbers, you could go with Archer transfers .