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Revell M-4 Sherman Tank
Arznek
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Ohio, United States
Joined: November 07, 2003
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Posted: Friday, November 14, 2003 - 06:14 PM UTC
I recently won an eBay auction that included an M4 Sherman made by Revell. I'm not sure what scale it is, but I'm hoping it's 1:35. Does anyone know if Revell made a 1:35 M4 or only a 1:72
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 02:20 AM UTC
Revell originally made a motorized M4 Sherman tank that was listed as 1/40 scale, but modern consensus is that it was about 1/36. Very crude kit that had a composite hull, 75mm turret and HVSS suspension. Originally issued in the 1950s, it was reissued in the 1960s without motorization and again in the 1970s. This is the boxing I have. The box art is a photo of the built model on an OD green box top. The kit decals were for a tank called "Black Magic".

It was last reissued in the early 80s and the box top is a photo of the kit sitting on a dirt pile with an OD green header. Very crude kit that is mainly a collector's item and not a serious Sherman tank kit.

The 1/72 scale M4 Sherman was originally issued in a Monogram and Matchbox (when Revell of Germany had rights to the Matchbox name) package. The Monogram kit was made in OD green plastic and the Matchbox kit was made in white plastic with Battle of the Bulge markings. I've got both of these kits and the photo etch sets that Eduard made for them.

This kit is currently being sold as Revell #03102 is actually an M4A1 76mm.
PaulHanson
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 06:03 AM UTC
Hey, Rob, I got that kit(and all the other 1/40th Revell kits) for my 8th birthday in 1956 and it was not motorized. AFAIK it never was. Other than that everything you commented on it correct. It is a piece of junk kit now, but it was really cool at 8 years old.

PH
kglack43
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Alabama, United States
Joined: September 18, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 06:25 AM UTC
Arznek...hope the others didn't burst your bubble...any kit is only as good as it's builder. With a little TLC and maybe some scratchbuilding add-ons, your sherman can be a thing of beauty. Or, just build it OOB. Like the original manufacturer wanted. It would be a welcome addition to any collector's set. So, build it as if you pre ordered it from Accurate Armour and paid $65.00 plus 23.00 s/h.

And keep us posted with lots of pics and updates.

kglack

Just remember...next time you buy something...buy a truck. hehehe



Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 09:49 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hey, Rob, I got that kit(and all the other 1/40th Revell kits) for my 8th birthday in 1956 and it was not motorized. AFAIK it never was. Other than that everything you commented on it correct. It is a piece of junk kit now, but it was really cool at 8 years old.

PH
My apologies. I tend to forget that at this site most people do not take me at my word unless I provide photographic evidence. Revell Sherman Tank Motorized (1960).
nfafan
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Alabama, United States
Joined: August 01, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 12:24 PM UTC
I trusted ya Bob - it was offered in various versions, I built the non-motorized Black Magic in the 60's, before I knew what an M4A-something was. Wished I had that motorized version nowadays.

And, IIRC - this M4A1 hull with HVSS and 75mm turret actually existed, so it's not like Revell didn't even try to make an authentic kit.

I miss the old Revell, their figs (and the ones from the competition at Monogram) were the best toy soldiers one could lay hands on.
nfafan
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Alabama, United States
Joined: August 01, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 12:48 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Arznek...hope the others didn't burst your bubble...any kit is only as good as it's builder. With a little TLC and maybe some scratchbuilding add-ons, your sherman can be a thing of beauty. Or, just build it OOB. Like the original manufacturer wanted. It would be a welcome addition to any collector's set. So, build it as if you pre ordered it from Accurate Armour and paid $65.00 plus 23.00 s/h.


My sentiments exactly. Many of todays modellers are spoiled, can't build a kit unless its the latest release from DML or Tamiya, and only then after they've acquired the Library of Congress in refs, turned metal bbls, resin back-packs, tarps and doo-dads, and PE to replace all the surface detail they've sanded or scraped off - of that $30.00+ kit.
Shep Paine made a healthy living off of building those old Monogram tanks to the best of his ability.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 01:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

My sentiments exactly. Many of todays modellers are spoiled, can't build a kit unless its the latest release from DML or Tamiya, and only then after they've acquired the Library of Congress in refs, turned metal bbls, resin back-packs, tarps and doo-dads, and PE to replace all the surface detail they've sanded or scraped off - of that $30.00+ kit.
Shep Paine made a healthy living off of building those old Monogram tanks to the best of his ability.
Those Monogram kits were superb for their time and Shep Paine did outstanding work. I still have the M4 Hedgehog and M4A1 Calliope as well as the M48A2 Patton.

The Revell Sherman I have is going to be upgraded with the old MP Models HVSS and tracks and some fittings (like machine guns, tools, lights, etc.) from the spare parts box. Not bad considering it's copyright date of 1956, but not up to modern standards. The off-scale makes it hard to match up stuff from the parts box as well.
PaulHanson
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Joined: February 16, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 01:56 PM UTC
Wow, Rob, I am stunned. I have never seen this version of the kit. My apologies for doubting you. The only thing I have to say in my defense is that this is not the original issue of the kit. The first issue(which is what I built in 1956)was a static model.

PH
kglack43
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Alabama, United States
Joined: September 18, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 01:57 PM UTC
Arznek...you might want to check out ...www.mil-mod.nl

this guy likes the older kits and gets great results

kglack
Arznek
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Ohio, United States
Joined: November 07, 2003
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 03:13 PM UTC
Well I know it's not motorized. I'm just trying to figure out if it's 1:72 or 1:35 before it comes in the mail, so I can get my diorama supplies ahead of time =P
blaster76
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Joined: September 15, 2002
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Posted: Saturday, November 15, 2003 - 09:24 PM UTC
I think what the guys have been trying to say is its large scale. Not exactly 35th but close to it. If you spent a lot of money on it you might want to set it aside as a collectors kit and buy another one. You can pick up the Italerie at a discount for $10-12. The Tamiya version at ebay for around $15.
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