Hope you can help me with identification of another Sherman on the photos it's identified as an M4A1.
Could you let me know if this is correct and also what kit would be represent this tank in 1/35th scale.
The photos were taken in October 1952 if that's any help?
Cheers
David

David,

It's an M4A1 "mid production" tank with 75mm gun and dry ammo stowage (as indicated by the raised armour plate welded to the hull side). It would have the "straight" return roller arms on the bogies, looks like the disc wheels, solid idler, plain drive sprocket, and T51 rubber block tracks. I assume it will be a MAP-supplied tank in French service?

Options are Dragon's #6048 "M4A1 75mm Early Version" or Tasca's #35010 "M4A1 Sherman Mid-production". The Tasca kit does not include the wide mantlet seen in your pics, but is otherwise a truly outstanding kit.

The Tasca kit is reviewed on Armorama, while both are reviewed on the PMMS website.

Hope this helps,

Tom

This is indeed a M4A1. It is, however an interesting subject - its really an earlier mid production that has undergone rebuild. If you notice theres a late all around vision cupola ( I can't spot the oval loaders hatch is there is one) ,later wide mantlet, Turret (not cuopla mounted) MG and newer (with older vane style beside it). Theres also the late style rear fenders and later wheels. The horn has also been re-located to the glacis instead of the LHS fender.

Nice pic!
Chris

David,

You probably found out that by yourself already, but those pics are from RBCEO ( Régiment Blindé Colonial d'Extrême Orient ) in Indochina

Chris,

Well spotted! It's definitely a MAP-supplied tank, then, as these were taken back to the States for a rebuild before being sold on. Some details will need to come from other kits (the Academy US MG set includes the needed turret roof mount, for example...) but it would be a fun build!

The commander's cupola is available in the ancient Italeri M4A1 kit (dirt cheap!) or the newer more expensive offerings by others. And the new Dragon M4 Normandy kit has the glacis-mounted horn, so pics of it could be studied before bending the necessary brush guard from brass or plastic strip.

Tom

Hi David, i would highly recommend tasca's kit, ive seen the parts and they are alot more crisp and detailed. Dragons m4a1 is OOP as far as im concerned, the hull has some dimension problems, but non the less a nice kit.

Thanks for the information guys.
If I go with the Tasca's #35010 "M4A1 Sherman Mid-production" what would I need to change on it, can I get a different mantlet for it to make it a wider one? Also what wheels would need changing and is there an aftermarket 'late all around vision cupola'?
Cheers
David

David,

If you pick up Italeri's #6389 "US Marines M4 Sherman" it has the separate all-round cupola and wide mantlet, and ought to be under £20. It also has some mediocre solid-spoke wheels that aren't an exact match to the photo but might be suitable substitutes. The proper dished wheels are available in plastic from Tasca (M4 suspension "late" set B, 35-008), and in resin from Formations as set FO59 or The Armory by Gauntlet as set AG106.. Formations also does the mantlet in resin, as FO29.

There is a clear resin cupola out there from Calibe 35, but I believe it does not include the actual hatch, so you still need one from a kit. The advantage is that with careful masking you get clear periscopes, but I find this a low return on the cost & hassle.

Tom

Tom,
Thanks for the advice much apprecated.
Cheers
David

I suggest gettting the Tasca M4A1 Sherman 'late production'
This does include the proper mantlet for the gun.

This also includes the rounded, once piece transmission. Usually, the sharper, one piece was used on the M4A1.

Best, MartinD

Martin,
Thanks for the update.
Cheers
David

Hey David she is a bit of a mish mash, and I'd have to disagree say that the bogey housings contain the upswept late style return roller arms as found (mistakenly) in the Tamiya M4 kit, and in all 76mm equipped Sherman kits and M4A3(75)W kits. The late style dished wheel can be found in the Tamiya M4A3(75)W frontline breakthrough kit.
The transmission housing cover appears to be the earliest of the one piece cast types with a well rounded front. It appears to have applique cheek armour which in conventional wisdom would make sense as the pistol port is present on the left side. (Later turrets deleted the pistol port, had thickened cast-in cheek armour and a loader's hatch. This appears to be an earlier turret retro fitted with a single hatch TC cupola and vision blocks.)
Good luck with the project, and if you need any assistance with scratchbuilding a siren and guard for the glacis, let me know as I have built a few
Brad

[quote]I'd have to disagree say that the bogey housings contain the upswept late style return roller arms as found (mistakenly) in the Tamiya M4 kit,

Id have to disagree - it looks like they are straight arm with a pillow block - look at the first picture carefully. I have, of course, been wrong before.

Chris

Once again thanks for all the replies,
When I have all the bits I need for this and the other French Indo-China Sherman I plan to do I might do a build blog (a very slow one!) and get advice along the way. The only thing is they might not be 100% accurate in the end.
Cheers
David