I am building the DML Sherman M4A4 (Kit 6035) with the Coree Crab Mark I (I think that's the incorrect designator by Coree) aftermarket kit. Now, I placed a Jordi Rubi 75mm M3 (TG-17) barrel on her with a cool looking mantle from the Coree kit. I plan to put AFV Club T-49 Track (AF 35028) on her also. The .50 is going to be replaced by the Collector Brass weapon. Has anyone built the Crab? I would like any input on paint scheme and building techniques.
thanks
DJ

DJ, that's a model I'd love to see when done. Unfortunately I can't offer too much in the way of reference for you. I did find these places of interest:

Jagtiger M4 Crab
GB Tanks - scroll toward the bottom for a few pics - click the thumbs.
Sherman Crab

Hope these help a bit.

Hi DJ , I got the Resicast kit really nice kit unfortunately it was my first resin conversion( its stilsitting mostly built on the shelf. IF you want to make the later version checkout he the Walkaround on my site. Teh mark 2 has a counter weight instead of second piston on left side.
Josh Weingarten Aka shiryon
IDF armour group Janitor
www.homestead.com/shiryon/index.html

DJ:

I scratchbuilt a Crab I a few years ago using the MP Models M4A4 hull, a modified Tamiya turret and bunch of brass and styrene parts I made myself from some old plans. I wish I could point you to a single source, but I gathered info from countless books, photocopied and stashed in a binder. If you are looking for something in particular, let me know and I'll see if I can either scan them or make copies for you.

Almost all Crabs were used by British forces, though I understand that a few were issued to U.S. forces for evaluation. The 79th Armoured Division had quite a few of them and they were attached to units all over Normandy.. One well-documented Crab was Wandering Willie of the 30th Armoured Brigade. Almost all had large 2-digit numbers on the turret sides (red with white outline). In many photos the divisional and arm of service flash can be seen on the front of the drive boom.

Save that Collectors Brass .50 cal. for another project. None of the operational photos I have of the Crab show a .50 mounted. Most British Shermans do not have .50s and only a few have .30s on the turret. Crabs didn't have a hull .30 because the boom blocked it, and even the co-ax was covered by a canvas cover most the time to protect it from all the debris the flail kicked up. The 75mm main gun also had a muzzle cover to keep the junk out.

I'll see if I can borrow a digital camera and post a few shots on my photo site. I also have some operational Crab shots I'll post there sometime today.

OK, I borrowed the camera and took a few quick shots of my Crab I. The colors look a little stark (man, that rust looks really RED), but I think you can get the general idea.

BTW, the only aftermarket on this is a tiny bit of PE: the buckles on the tie-down straps, the taillight guards and three periscope guards. All the rest is either kit bash, modified kit parts, or scratchbuilt. OK, the chains were bought from Walthers model railroad catalogue.

To go to my photo album, click on "MY SELECTED LINK" under the whitetail in the crosshairs below.