I want to get a good detailed sherman tank. since there is so many make and models i was wondering what was the best one. i really like sherman, Abrahams and stuart so if your know the best models out of these groups tell me please.

You really can't go wrong with any of the Tamiya M4A3 versions or their "M4 early". Typical Tamiya quality.

Their "Early" is my favorite, but be advised that it represents a "re-built" M4 early, not a true off-the-factory-floor early.

Accuracy fixes to the Tamiya Shermans are simple; sand-shield attachment strips, fill in the open sponsons, and raise the weld-beads. Don't worry about the sand-shield strips if you use the sand-shields that come with the "early" kit. The vinyl kit tracks are acceptable.

The Tamiya "Sherman Jumbo" has accuracy issues over their other Shermies. Don't even think of the ancient Tamiya M4A3E8.

If cost is an issue, the Italeri "Marine Sherman" builds into a nice late-issue M4A3 OOTB. The kit's parts for an "M4A2 version" are incomplete to do a true A2 version, so why bother the attempt - just build it as an A3.
I can't say for sure about the weld beads and sand-shield strip, but their vinyl tracks are always stiffer than Tamiya's, but still acceptable for detail for what they are.
In general, Italeri kits tend to have more fiddly detail parts than Tamiya kits, so OOTB build time will be a factor.

The Italeri cast-hull M4A1/76 is the oldest of all of these Shermie kits, and needs the most efforts for appearance sake if not for accuracy.

As with any kit - you can go to town with aftermarket parts - a brass or aluminum metal barrel is a nice touch, as is some PE, resin "stowage", better crew figures, MG ammo boxes, link/link tracks, etc, et al; but none are mandatory, just nice-to-haves.

I've said it before, and I will say it again, the best way to build a sherman is to start with Military Miiatures' In Review, "Modeler's Guide to The Sherman" by Pete Harlem, (published by Ampersand) Scale drawings, loads of in-progress pictures, a series of different sherman builds and a good guide to the thorny question of sherman running gear/tracks.No household should be without it...... #:-) Jim

jimbrae

I have been looking for the MMIR sherman guide for a while, you dont know of any retailer who still has a copy floating around do you?

Lee

Twig, try some of the military booksellers (Harsants etc,) failing that, try Amazon, they can usually get out of print stuff...Jim

jimbrae

Cheers for the pointer to Harsants, I have tried almost all of the major model/book dealers in the UK.

As to LittleNick, if you want a good model of a sherman you can do no wrong by having a look at the Resicast range. These are some of the best resin model kits in the world.

http://www.resicast.com/

Lee

I echo the comments on the available kits; spot on. The Dragon Fireflies are also nice, and the corrections aren't too hard. Do spring for a metal barrel, though; they are cheap and look great. Only problem is finding Dragon Shermies without resorting to usurious prices on eBay. I tend to look for small hobby shops wherever I vacation, because they often have older "dead stock" items lying around. Occasionally I score, and clean them out.

If you are willing to kitbash, resin hulls make M4A2, M4 Hybrid, and others easy to do. Speaking of the M4A2, one way to go would be to sacrifice an AFV Club or Academy M10 kit for the lower hull and running gear, along with a resin upper hull from Tank Workshop, Verlinden, or CMD. Or one could use the Tamiya M4 Early upper hull, and graft on the Academy engine deck with it's separate hatches. Then, a resin engine pack beckons....
The Academy driver's compartment also would looke nice, and you can always scratchbuild the turret compartment with a Tamiya gun. I'm going over the edge, aren't I? #:-)

HTH,
Greg

Tamiya M4 Early and M4A3 are good kits. Also you can buid nice Shermans like the M4A3 76W HVSS & Firefly IC and Vc from Dragon.

If you really are a sherman fan ... on yahoo groups there is a sherman group. Lots of guys who model shermans and lots of knowledge. that guy from "formations" is a member also. If you need specialist help with any sherman questions ... here would be a good place to join in on!

Twig ive seen that book at Midland Counties Publications in Hinckley there a mail order site thats always at the shows there phone number is 01455 233747

Capt-Caveman

Alas! I called them up first thing this morning and they have said that they have none left !!!


Thanks anyway for the info :-) I will keep looking...

Lee