This photo was taken states side during training. My Father was a tank Driver then commander then tank instructor and this photo was taken of him in the field with one of his tanks. Time: best guess 1943 thru 1944. Tank was a training tank and could also have be used to test different ideas etc. So mix's, changes, repairs, replacements could have happened.
Thoughts so far
Sherman M4A1 75mm Early Version
Cast Hull
Following info from Military Miniatures in Review (MMIR) volume 8 and volume 9 The Sherman Tank "A Fragmented Look" by Pete Harlem. Have the following info.
Vol 8 MMIR has part 3: Tracks. --- Reviewing it and looking at the photo and the track, from the side to me it looks like your basic VVVS Track with Track blocks that look like T54E1 (my best guess). Other ideas??
Vol 9 MMIR has part 4: Sherman Suspension System. --- Lots of stuff on this one.
1st Drive sprocket: Looks like Type 1C: Fancy smooth variation.
2nd Road Wheels: Looks like Solid Spoke to me.
3rd Bogie Type: Looks like type 2 Heavy Duty VVS (M3/M4)
4th Type 2 Variations: Ok, looks like a mix on this one. Using the diagrams and reviewing photo I think the following using Pete Harlem drawings and words as best as I can. Top to bottom
a. Skid: looking at the middle Bogie, to me looks like the first rounded type of skid does not look like the revised or final shape.
b. Roller arm: Looks straight, so not late version
c. Main Bogie body: Looks like the 2C-1: Intermediate standard, has the molded seam in the top area. Has what looks like raised marks in the center ribbed area. Then one of the important things has three bumps (not 2)
d. Arm: Has hole area below the bolt area which means that it is not the early type 2A.
e. Wheel: Solid spoke type.
Well that's all I have been able to learn in the past week. About 2 weeks ago I started thinking about building a diorama with a picture of my Father in front of one of his tanks that he was with during his time in the Tank Corp. Found the picture last weekend finally, long search. Then started digging into stuff.
Bought a Dragon Kit No 6048 "M4A1 75mm Early Version" to build from. Has a lot of good starting points, but need to redo several things that I see so far.
Ok, needing help and thoughts. If anyone has the "spare don't use" Solid spoke type wheels that they don't need, my Dragon kit only came with one "D" spruce. So I'm missing 1/2 (6) of the solid wheels. Planning on trying to rebend the skids or make new ones. As far as the letter, number raised castings in the center area on the Bogie's I'm thinking about trying to add some detail stuff then roughing it up and painting over it in that area unless someone has a better (easy) idea. I also don't think that the drivers hatch is right either but need to find more stuff on that one. If you have another kit that you think would work better please let me know.
GOAL: Build a diorama with a 8x10 photo in the background and have the tank and figure in front of it just LIKE the photo. Want the tank to be as close to the photo as possible. Ok, looking at the photo can't see the engine, back of tank or the top or right side. Of course want that as close as possible but want the main view of the tank to look just like the tank in the photo, Tank in the photo may be a one of a kind made from leftover parts or a test sample, but it the one that I want to copy...
Would be interested in seeing part 1 and part 2 of that Sherman Tank stuff that Pete Harlem did. Have lots of German Tank and U-boat info but very little on U.S. Shermans. Therefore HELP request to you great guys.
Thanks Tim @ 42rocker
Note about photo. I scanned at 1200dpi then resized to try to get something to fit that would also work with the internet as far as downloading and uploading. Initial photo was a black and white size 2 and 3/4 inch by 4 inch.
