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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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M4a1 sherman reference photos
Metal_blast
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: January 31, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 188 posts
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 05:43 AM UTC
Hello,

I've been doing some of my own research for reference photos for the M4a1 Sherman, but I seem to be out of luck. I'm particularly looking for photos of the mid-production M4a1 that participated in the early stages of D-Day or even in the hedgerows.

The kit I plan on building is the Tasca M4a1 mid-production. I know Tasca offers the late-production, but after reading some reviews, it seems you have to modify the hull to the weld type, and replace the transmission housing? Nevertheless, It'd be great if anyone has any reference photos of the mid-production, not the late-production M4a1 so I can possibly build a sherman that belonged to a specific armor division? Prehaps someone can recommend me some books with war-period photos?

Thanks a bunch
calvin_ng
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United States
Joined: June 23, 2008
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
Armorama: 753 posts
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 07:40 AM UTC
Hi Alex, as far as i know many of the U.S shermans launched on D-day failed to make it to the beaches. But however, most of the shermans that were used by the U.S in the hedgerows were all m4 or m4a1 or the m4a1 76mm. Which particular armored division sherman are you looking for? i can scan some onto here if possible. You would be surprised to see the kinds of shermans they had in the normandy/ NWE campaign, ive seen DV and m3 suspension shermans in books. Steven Zaloga's Sherman books are really good IMO.
ericadeane
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Michigan, United States
Joined: October 28, 2002
KitMaker: 4,021 posts
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Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 09:02 AM UTC
The tasca mid-prod M4A1 is a perfect candidate, as is, for Normandy. This tank and the M4 were the most numerous medium tanks fielded by the Americans. Hundreds were ashore within a few days.

I agree with Calvin. Grab some of the Zaloga books by Concord and you'll have lots of reference.
Metal_blast
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: January 31, 2008
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 188 posts
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 10:06 AM UTC
ello!

Thanks for the responses! I'm looking up books by Steven Zaloga on Amazon, and I believe I'd probably want this one: Operation Cobra, Armored Thunderbolt: The U.S. Army Sherman in World War II ... umm I'm just looking thru right now, so please recommend me more.


Quoted Text

Which particular armored division sherman are you looking for?

Any Currently the only photos I have seen are well... none that I could find on the internet... there all m4 shermans That'd be great if you could scan some, but it's probably copyrighted

Thanks guys

GeraldOwens
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Florida, United States
Joined: March 30, 2006
KitMaker: 3,736 posts
Armorama: 3,697 posts
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 10:48 AM UTC

Quoted Text

ello!

Thanks for the responses! I'm looking up books by Steven Zaloga on Amazon, and I believe I'd probably want this one: Operation Cobra, Armored Thunderbolt: The U.S. Army Sherman in World War II ... umm I'm just looking thru right now, so please recommend me more.


Quoted Text

Which particular armored division sherman are you looking for?

Any Currently the only photos I have seen are well... none that I could find on the internet... there all m4 shermans That'd be great if you could scan some, but it's probably copyrighted

Thanks guys


Zaloga's "US Tank Battles in France," and "US Tank Battles in Germany," both published by Concord, are excellent. He also does one on the M4 Sherman in that series, though it's an older title. "Armored Thunderbolt" is a superb history of the Sherman's development and operational use, though it has less photo content than the others.
The old Squadron title, "M4 Sherman in Action" is also well worth having. They also publish a useful Sherman book in their Walkaround series, which has detail photos of preserved vehicles.
HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: May 07, 2003
KitMaker: 4,002 posts
Armorama: 2,947 posts
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 10:21 PM UTC
Gday Alexander
The books are great reference; I use them a lot, and depending on what I'm specifically searching for I seem to find new things in many well viewed photos, especially in the backgrounds...

I started a thread a while ago and just rediscovered it today. I aimed to build a M4A1 in the timeframe you mentioned.
ANNE

I had since shelved the kit for a while and progressed no further until a few weeks ago when I removed the applique armour plates and re worked them in styrene. In fact, I have just today finished the weld beads on said plates with putty, and have the kit quite near to completion. Whether I have her as ANNE or re do it in different markings I don't know as yet...
I will get some photos up showing how I changed the bottom of the hull rear to a curved version and de rivetted her...
Brad
HONEYCUT
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: May 07, 2003
KitMaker: 4,002 posts
Armorama: 2,947 posts
Posted: Friday, October 30, 2009 - 10:35 PM UTC
Hey Alexander
I found the photos.
I thought I had clearer shots of how I fixed the rear, but alas...



It was a round section of styrene tube which I cut along it's length to obtain the required curve, with its sides filled with putty and sanded back. A weld running from one side to side to the other is added at the height of the rear clevice mounts from memory...



The siren guard was re made in brass at a little bigger scale than the kit version, and the cable run into the hull below the left light fitting.



The hatchsprings were re made in wire a little bigger also.

I have a couple of other photos if interested in any other mods to realise a late mid production M4A1...
Cheers
Brad
big_jim1976
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Maine, United States
Joined: March 10, 2008
KitMaker: 25 posts
Armorama: 16 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 02:27 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hello,

I've been doing some of my own research for reference photos for the M4a1 Sherman, but I seem to be out of luck. I'm particularly looking for photos of the mid-production M4a1 that participated in the early stages of D-Day or even in the hedgerows.

The kit I plan on building is the Tasca M4a1 mid-production. I know Tasca offers the late-production, but after reading some reviews, it seems you have to modify the hull to the weld type, and replace the transmission housing? Nevertheless, It'd be great if anyone has any reference photos of the mid-production, not the late-production M4a1 so I can possibly build a sherman that belonged to a specific armor division? Prehaps someone can recommend me some books with war-period photos?

Thanks a bunch
give me your email ill send you what i got or do you use yahoo messanger i could send you them threw there i have many pics
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