would it be accurate to use the cast hull from the old italeri kit, with a 75mm turret?
i want to build a cast hulled sherman variant, but dragons M4A1 and firefly hybrid are rather rare,
would the tamiya M4 'early' be a good donor kit for the neccesary parts as ive built one before?

cheers

joe

Yes, it is possible. I will actually attempt to do the same with a Formations Models 75mm dry stowage turret.

Take alook at this link to have an idea of what you have to do: http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2000/09/stuff_eng_isaksson_m4a1.htm

BTW, we are organizing a Sherman GB. Since you are building a Sherman why not join us? Check this thread for further details: https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/20813&page=1

Cheers,

CDT Reimund Manneck
U.S. Army ROTC

ok thats good so,
what would the designation be if i made it as above?
and obviously it would have to be in british markings!
cheers
joe

since wer'e on the M4 subject...what kit should i use for the basic starting kit to make a DD version from scratch?

glack

The British designation for the M4A1 75mm is the Sherman II.
Does this mean you are joining us in the Group Build?

Cheers,

CDT Reimund Manneck
U.S. Army ROTC

just got to buy the neccesary kits first.
damm i told myself i wasnt going to do it, after ive got about a dozen on the shelf waiting!
ah well you twisted my arm.
cheers

joe

greatbrit,
Try this link. http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35122.html .
It's about modelling the US Army in WW2, so I don't know if the suggestion he makes about swapping turrets with the Tamiya M4A3 would be good for you or not, since you want to do one in British markings.
Look under the "For Variety" section 3rd paragraph. Hope this will be some help to you.
Regards,
Joe

It would give you the beginnings of a duplex drive Sherman.




No. That kit has the earlier low-bustle turret. You would need a high-bustle turret, like the one in the Tamiya M4A3 (75) kit.




Uh, no. This is a model of a tank that never existed. While it is nicely finished, it has no basis in fact.




See first answer, above.

Here is a basic overview from the current draft on the 1/35th Sherman kits and conversions sets. All British Shermans.

http://freespace.virgin.net/shermanic.firefly/home5.htm

thanks thats a useful link.
cheers
joe

OK, if I understand all this

1. Taking the turret from the Tamiya M4a3 and putting it on the Italerie M1a1 is accurate.
2, Would taking the turret from the Italerie onto the Tamiya also be accurate (76mm on a welded hull version?
3. Any conversions need to be done (I would do them both as US versions)?

1) Yes, with a big asterisk*** There is very little photo evidence to suggest this is a correct mix. Almost all of the late (i.e., wet-stowage, big hatch) M4A1's with 75mm turrets were Duplex Drive tanks, with the associated special idlers and the mounting points all over the hull. At least one pic exists that shows an M4A1 75mm without the DD bits. See this link: http://mmcalc.tripod.com/Shermans/Large_Hatch_75mm_M4A1.html Please note the cast-in armor reinformcements -- not welded on plates.

2) Yes -- and much easier to do. The resultng model is an early-turret M4A3(76)W. With the turret that comes in the Italeri ket, you can even swap the two turret cupola's (one is 2-hatch, the other single hatch) and still be corrrect. The biggest problem with the Italeri Turret is the gun -- it has a step in it that doesn't belong. Either trim and sand the kit barrel, or pick up a Rubio barrel.

3) Yup, both U.S. vehicles. Look at Tim Streeter's easy to understand list of tweaks for both the Tamiya M4A3 and the Italeri M4A1 here:
http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html

Great model has the Firefly VC kit #dr6186 in stock right now. They are asking $27.20 US for it. http://www.greatmodels.com/

thanks for the info. I've built the Italrie, but have always liked the 75 turret. so now I can get the turret I like and still make use of the kit I had to buy to get it...Merry Christmas to me