Hey all just a quick query to those familiar with this kit... If I remove the track side skirts (as kinda expected) what to do about the rear guards? They are one complete piece comprising the guard over the rear and also the inside of the rear bogey. Any photo reference I have seen has been inconclusive to me, as it looks as though the rear section is removed, but some part of the interior still remains.... Puzzled... help.... Do I have to actually operate and remove only part of the rear guard, or is the whole lot removed leaving the upper hull one continuous level around sides and rear? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....Any helpage much appreciated

Italeri M4a1 was the my first kit...about 12 years ago...but I don't remember nothing about it, and I don't know now where is...sorry
regards

Yes, pretty much. There is a plate that remains when the sand shields are off, but it would be easier to make with sheet plastic than to try to use the kit part.

On the inside of the kit part, there is a portion that extends down between the idler/track and the aircleaner. It extends up under the rear end and sort of boxes off the rear sponsons from the open area where the aircleaners and exhaust pipes hang.

Here's a thread on Missing Links about the M4A1 rear end, The first photo shows the piece I am lalking about -- the vertical piece between the idler and air cleaner. http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=47208&messageid=1061161898

I'd suggest making a template with paper or cardboard, trim it until it fits, then cut two pieces of sheet plastic to mount on the kit. Save the template and you can use it on future Sherman projects.

I built the M4A1 without the side skirts and looks like this:

Ooooh, nice Shermie! Getting me interested in Shermans again...

Dang it!

Gunnie

Yeah, nice sherman, how do u get all this dirt on it, i tried several times but it always looks like a car crash

Simple. In the lower hull, glacis plate and backs, Tamiya Putty thinned with cetone then airbrushed with Mud (Vallejo) and drybrushed with different earth tones (oils). In the sides upper hull, airbrushed Mud (Vallejo)

If you're interested in three pics of an Italian Army's M4A1...







Ciao

What can I say, gentlemen... that has to be the finest collection of quality info I've received, but therein lies the problem... you have opened up a new can of worms with how many different options I have available at my disposal now! Thanks again to all who made the effort

Don´t get mad. Here you can find another pics that may help you:

http://www.jed.simonides.org/tanks/sierra/sherman_series/m4a1-76-vvss/m4a176vvss-archive.html

This was posted in Armorama some time ago:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/6853&page=1

I built the kit recently, and left the whole thing off. Seems to me that's the way a Sherman is suppossed to look.

I have not built he Italeria Sherman... What is "the good, the bad and the ugly" on this model?

Thansk,

John
www.johnneill.com

Here are two of my Tamyia Shermans

Neil --

The biggest "problem" with the Italeri kit is the gun barrel. The kit part has a "step" in it that doesn't belong there. You can either shave and sand the barrel, or replace it with an aftermarket barrel. Jordi Rubio makes a real nice one.

CSCH seems to have taken care of the barrel problem, but another problem with the kit is visible on his model. There should not be a square frame around the pistol port on the side of the turret. You need to carefully fit the part, then use some sort of filler to blend that frame into the side of the turret. I have also heard some complain about the overall shape of the turret, but it looks OK to me.

NICE WORK csch ! ........ REAL NICE !

- ralph