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Armor/AFV: Allied - WWII
Armor and ground forces of the Allied forces during World War II.
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Sherman III Cast Transmission Cover
Tango29
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: February 10, 2009
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 03:53 PM UTC
Hi,

Does anyone know of a source for a cast transmission cover for the Dragon 1/35th Sherman III, kit # 6313? One is included in the kit, but it is a total mismatch. An email to Dragon USA met with exactly no response, Resicast, ABM and Accurate Armour do not have one, I couldn't find a link on the AMPS website...and so it goes. I'm running out of leads...Mayday, Mayday, Mayday...any guidance gladly received. TIA!
jjumbo
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 04:59 PM UTC
Hey Gary,
Formations makes an early cast transmission cover:



What exactly is wrong with the one in the kit ?
Cheers

jjumbo
junglejim
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Posted: Thursday, February 04, 2010 - 05:40 PM UTC
No real problems mentioned in this review on Perth here unless you wanted the rounded tranny cover? Then the Formations one should work.

Jim
Tango29
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Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010 - 11:27 AM UTC
Hello, John and Jim,

Did you ever have one of those moments when you felt really, completely, uncontrollably STUPID? I'm having one now. When I got the kit, I tried to dryfit the cast transmission cover, and thought that it did not fit, being too deep and not lining up with the leading edges of the rest of the hull. John, it was your question that set off an alarm bell: "What, exactly, is wrong with the one in the kit?" It seemed to say to me: "It should be all right, so what, exactly..." So I've just gone back and tried it again. This time, I found that the edges of the cast cover in some areas are not supposed to line up, they're supposed to slip slightly inside the leading edges of the hull. Looks to me as if it will work out just fine. And I've only been building for about 55 years!

One question, though. I see that the cover has the two mounts for the towing shackles molded on. Fine, but the cover I have also has two small slots molded, one outboard of each of the mounts. I don't see those on the Formations offering (but the angle of view might be wrong). Any idea what these are for? They don't show up in any of the photos I've got, so unless I can figure out what they are and whether they're applicable, the Milliput Monster will sort them out, double quick time.

Thanks for your input, chaps. I really appreciate being put firmly back on track!
jjumbo
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Posted: Saturday, February 06, 2010 - 02:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

One question, though. I see that the cover has the two mounts for the towing shackles molded on. Fine, but the cover I have also has two small slots molded, one outboard of each of the mounts. I don't see those on the Formations offering (but the angle of view might be wrong). Any idea what these are for? They don't show up in any of the photos I've got, so unless I can figure out what they are and whether they're applicable, the Milliput Monster will sort them out, double quick time


Hey Gary,
Your question got me wondering so I dug out my own kit from the stash.
As per Dragon's habit, the kit is a mish mash of sprues from various Sherman kit, some new and some older.
The one piece cast transmission housing is not supposed to be used with kit #6313, the 3 piece one is.
But, if you look on sprue A, there are 4 pieces not used, 56, 57, 58a and 58b.
These are obviously shackle mounts for a transmission cover for some Sherman kit, probably a late model Sherman like a M4A3.
Look at this picture from Wikipedia of a late model Sherman III (M4A2).



It has the later, double tow shackle mounts.
If you plan to use the cast cover, I guess you could use those parts to fill the slots.
Hope that answers your question.
Cheers

jjumbo

Removed by original poster on 02/07/10 - 02:23:22 (GMT).
Tango29
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Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 01:35 AM UTC
John,

Thanks very much for this information. The photos I have of the regiment involved (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) show only the single shackle mount. I'll use the extra part(s) to fill in the gaps.
On another point, I note that, when I slip the cover into place and square up the lower and side edges, there is a gap across the top edge that is not filled by what I'll call the "bolt strip." Not a big gap, but noticeable. If I then tilt the cover up to fill this gap, the bottom and side edges are slightly misaligned.This may not be a problem: the lower edge just can't be seen, and I expect that the small side edge gaps will be covered by the sprocket housings. Alternatively, a small length of strip styrene can fill the upper gap. Do you have any knowledge or experience in dealing with this slight misalignment? TIA for any info!
jjumbo
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Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 02:26 AM UTC

Quoted Text

John,

Thanks very much for this information. The photos I have of the regiment involved (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) show only the single shackle mount. I'll use the extra part(s) to fill in the gaps.
On another point, I note that, when I slip the cover into place and square up the lower and side edges, there is a gap across the top edge that is not filled by what I'll call the "bolt strip." Not a big gap, but noticeable. If I then tilt the cover up to fill this gap, the bottom and side edges are slightly misaligned.This may not be a problem: the lower edge just can't be seen, and I expect that the small side edge gaps will be covered by the sprocket housings. Alternatively, a small length of strip styrene can fill the upper gap. Do you have any knowledge or experience in dealing with this slight misalignment? TIA for any info!


Hey Gary,
I haven't built a Dragon Sherman recently but I have built their Italeri and Tamiya cousins.
AFAIK, the bolt strip should be snug up against the glacis plate with no gap, a gap would be a shell trap in a real life vehicle.
A bit of putty or styrene strip should do the trick but it's funny how these problems disappear once you've put glue to plastic.
FYI.....the only picture I've seen of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers using the Sherman III is one that has welded driver's hoods like Dragon's M4A2 USMC Tarawa kit has and not the cast driver's hoods as in your kit.
http://collectionscanada.ca/base-de-donnees/visages/001048-119.01-f.php?&mikan_nbr=3514116&&PHPSESSID=k5vpgro0tgrgdqrt8eg7p9qus5
http://www.battlefieldhistorian.com/A_Sherbrooke_Fusiliers_She.asp
That particular tank had T49 all steel cleated tracks, a cast transmission cover and a number of early features.
I have no doubt that the SF's used a variety of Sherman III's, they were one of very few Canadian units that were equipped with any diesel powered Shermans.
The diesel Shermans were preferred by the British and were usually reserved for U.K.tank units.
Cheers

jjumbo
Tango29
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Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 03:45 PM UTC
Hi, John,

Thanks again for the information. It seems that I kill off one problem/question only to have two more show up! The newest one is the welded driver's hoods vs the cast version. The problem that I have is that I do not have any photos of the vehicle I am modelling, and so can only hope to approximate its appearance. It was lost mid-August 1944 in Normandy and the crew commander (who is still with us, aged 90) has given me all the detailed information he has. There isn't much, as he had about seven tanks shot out from under him that summer and early fall: the appearance of one blends into the appearance of others, and all are clouded by the stress of combat. I'm aiming for as close an approximation as possible, but I will have to use a noticeable, if plausible, amount of artistic license with this project. I expect that it will certainly be in the ball park, maybe even in the infield!
jjumbo
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Posted: Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 04:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi, John,

Thanks again for the information. It seems that I kill off one problem/question only to have two more show up! The newest one is the welded driver's hoods vs the cast version. The problem that I have is that I do not have any photos of the vehicle I am modelling, and so can only hope to approximate its appearance. It was lost mid-August 1944 in Normandy and the crew commander (who is still with us, aged 90) has given me all the detailed information he has. There isn't much, as he had about seven tanks shot out from under him that summer and early fall: the appearance of one blends into the appearance of others, and all are clouded by the stress of combat. I'm aiming for as close an approximation as possible, but I will have to use a noticeable, if plausible, amount of artistic license with this project. I expect that it will certainly be in the ball park, maybe even in the infield!


Hey Gary,
The most important thing is that you get the major things correct.
I have to assume that you know that the tank your friend commanded was a diesel powered Sherman III.
Whether it had welded or cast driver's hoods is minor issue, both types were in use at the same time.
You could ask him if the tanks had the small M34 gun mantlet or the wider M34A1 mantlet

http://www.milicast.com/battlefield/BB44.shtml
http://www.milicast.com/battlefield/BB45.shtml

The beauty of artistic licence is, without written or photographic proof, you can almost get away with anything !!
Cheers

jjumbo
Tango29
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Posted: Monday, February 08, 2010 - 03:42 PM UTC
Thanks, John,

I'll keep you posted on the build. I've got White Ensign Models British Olive Drab paint on the way, along with a set of smoke grenade dischargers for the turret. I'm marking time for a few days until the paint gets here, so I'm adding lift rings and other details. With the paint I'll be able to blitz the suspension, so the build progresses, albeit in second gear right now!

More later!
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