A link to some pics of the kit on Academy's website: http://www.academy.co.kr/kr/index.html

Looks pretty good to me, though I find it interesting that it has the early rubber block tracks. It also has horizontal return roller arms (as found in the M10-series of kits -- nice suspension!) -- my refs show upswept arms, so I'll probably swap out the suspension with a Tamiya kit. Also, there is a muzzle brake on the 76mm gun -- I hope there is also an option to build it without (Soviet M4A2s are shown both ways).

According to Hunnicutt, all but five of the M4A2(76) tanks went to the Soviet Union. Five went to the U.K., probably for test purposes and likely never saw action -- though it would be nice if someone found some pics of them in action!

Addendum: Swap out the turret with a Tamiya M4A3's 75mm gun turret and you come up with a version that served with the U.K. and the USMC. This is the model the Italeri "Marine Corps Sherman" kit attempts to be, but isn't.

Hollowpoint, well that is a nice, if somewhat expected bonus, particularly helpful is your addendum, that's how I like them, simple and precise....Jim

Does seem a bit of an odd choice though.. different but odd, perhaps the next one coming is an M4a3?...Lots more for the spares box though.....thanks again

Big question, will Italeri's wading trunks fit on the Academy kit?

This is it seen from above....According to my main reference, this is a an M4a2 'Big Hatch' is this correct?...Jim

Jim, correct. The small hatch are ovals that go parallel to the axis of the hull.

So rather than buying a Tamiya kit (for the turret) wouldn't it be possible to buy one from Verlinden? Sorry for being a pain about this but as I was about to buy the new Firefly, this looks a lot more interesting... Or are there any other nice turrets out there?..Thanks, Jim

Maybe -- but I'd check around for a trade or some other arrangement first. The beautiful thing about swapping turrets is that you still end up with two complete and correct models: an M4A2 (75mm) late and an M4A3 (76mm) with VVSS.

I don't know much about Verlinden's Sherman parts range -- the couple times I got Sherman conversion parts from Verlinden, I found that they had rather major inaccuracies. One exception was the Interior for the Tamiya M4 (dry) -- I kinda like that kit and it fits and looks good, too.

BTW, I doubt Academy has the M4A3 high on their "to-do" list. Tamiya already has two M4A3 kits out plus the M4A3 (105mm); Italeri has an M4A3 in the Calliope, the "M4A2 Jumbo" kit (which isn't), the "Marine Sherman" kit, etc.; DML has a couple nice M4A3s with 76mm and HVSS, plus the flame tank with 105. (probably missed one ...)

More likely an early M4A2, which is currently available only in resin, is next on the drawing board. Again, they'll be able to use many of the sprues from the current M10-series and this new M4A2 kit. Maybe an M40 or an early M4A1 is on the horizon ... I'm hoping.

I've seen some iffy opinions about the Verlinden Turrets, which was why I was asking... Re. the M4a2, This is confirmed from Afv Club , delivery date?. The M40 is also on the way (april/may 2004?). With this I guess i have project #1 for 2004...and #2, and 3... As a footnote, what Mark of Sherman is this?...Jim

Alright another sherman to buy! I just wonder if the Turret ring opening is any different then whats on the Tamiya kits. I got their M36 and I was planning on building a M36B1 with the Tamiya M4A3 upper hull and the turret ring is slightly larger on the M36 turret then the Tamiya M4 hull opening and its gonna be a PIA to get it cut out and centered so it looks good.

According to 'Modeller's Guide to the Sherman' the new Academy Sherman is an M4a2 76mm (wet) early, hull-wise, with the addition of some extra hull-armour it could then become an M4a2 75mm (Dry) late. Which was exactly what Hollowpoint said in his original post.....hmmm...Jim

Jim:

That 2nd pic is a very nicely done Tamiya M4 (75mm, dry). All that interior is aftermarket or scratch

HOLLOWPOINT:
THANX DUDE for the link/info. Now we have the injected option instead of resin. I
am looking fwd to the Kitbash options available on this one. The Verlinden sherman stuff is getting harder to get and with the buy out of Tank Workshop by Tiger ,pickins have been slim. So this is a welcome addition to all SHERMAN HOLICS. Good Show

So, does anyone know if Academy plans to follow on with a USMC version of the M4A2...?

I know that Dragon has got one listed for the "future," but they sometimes take years to release kits they announce (if they release them at all, e.g. the Kettenkrad with the cable reels)...

Also, Jimbrae, consider the Tank Workshop or Chesepeake Model Designs turrets --- they seem to get much more positive feedback than Verlinden does...

Aloha,

Johnny B.

I can't wait , another Sherman to put on my shelf.

I am sure that most of you will know this company, for those of you that don't, their stuff for the Sherman is AWESOME! I will put this in the Armorama links as well. In the next few days I will be posting up some info. on the company's products in the news section. This is one company who deserve to succeed....Jim

FORMATIONS

That means , Hussar productions will long live after this kit, huh guys ? :-)
I mean with that much Polish decals

I knew I had seen it before, here are some pics of the M4a2 (76) W, in Soviet Service: Jim

The Academy M4A2 looks very nice in the artbox.
Here is the link to the Formations M4A2 Mid Prod Conv Set:
http://www.formationsmodels.com/267852.html
And here are the pics, they really look awsome:



CMD have a very nice T23 Turret (Early and Late versions)

CMD 35 Early Pattern T23 Sherman Turret w/split loaders hatch
CMD 38 T23 Sherman Late Pattern Turret w/Canvas Mantlet cover

Hope it comes to Brasil!

CSCH, the Sherman you have posted pics of, is the 'small hatch' M4a2, the subject of the new kit has the large hatches and 76mm gun, not the 75mm. This turrey looks correct for the conversion that was mentioned before though...Jim

Jim,thanks for the news and the link This is an unexpected suprise I had heard that Academy is supposed to do an early M4A2 but this one is great As far as 75mm turrets go,I believe you would need one of the later types For example the two hatch version The loaders hatch was oval and the commanders hatch was either a two peice or a one piece that has the vision blocks
The Mission Models turret would be incorrect for that type of hull as far as I know Let me check my reference books I hace the Concord book of Armor in the Pacific theater of war
Now as far as track types the Soviets used I have only seen pics of the T49 3 bar cleat and the T54e1? metal chevron Of course it's possible they may have used the rubber type as well
Hope my ramblings are of some help to someone

Zod, the story was brought by Hollowpoint not me, I'm afraid I can't take any of the credit...Jim

Here's another pic...Jim

excellent choice somthing allied for a change....

Jim:
I believe this is the exact one Academy has molded. Unit and all. Thanx for the pics. Now IM
salavating waiting for the kit to arrive.