Would the Tamiya Israeli M4 be considered the M4A1E8 ? If not, why ? And what would it need to be considered the M4A1E8. Aside from the obvious main gun. Thanks in advance

You would need a different turret. Also the engine decks are different.

As per Rich's reply. Far better off getting a Tasca/Asuka M4A3E8 in the first place.

Gary

Hi Lou.

This is what I did:





You will need sprue J and K from 35322. Apparently Tamiya USA is very good about ordering sprues.

More photos at;
http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Michael_Hatch/library/Modelling%20the%20Arab-Israeli%20Wars/1967%20IDF%20-%20M1%20Sherman


Hope this helps, Michael in Cloverdale.

Excellent kitbash Michael, thanks for sharing those photos!

Cheers,

Christophe

As mentioned, the French and Israelis drastically rebuilt the 76mm Sherman turrets to handle the enormous gun used on the M51, with large castings welded on, fore and aft. And the Cummins diesel engines required different engine decks and tail plate parts. Michael's build shows the necessary parts swap using bits from the Tamiya M1 Super Sherman kit, which is a nearly-stock, late-war M4A1.

Michael, as mentioned earlier, that's am awesome kit bash. So you were able to order those sprue separate?

Thanks everyone for the replies. I thought it would be just the gun and dime turret reworking. Nerve thought about the rest.

The M4A3E8 engine deck went through several incarnations with the IDF after becoming an M51 and was changed even more when some were sold on to Chile...



Gary

Hi Lou.

Sprue J I had left over from another kit bash but Sprue K was acquired on my behalf by a friend in Washington State. He contacted Tamiya USA and they sent him the sprue for free. As I understand it, if they have the sprue in their “left-overs” bin they may provide the parts free of charge. If not, I believe you can still purchase them. Your mileage may vary...

Gotta love the internet. (Thanks again Mark!)

Hope this helps, Michael in Cloverdale.

Hi Michael,

I love this wonderfull kitbash.

I bought all parts as needed, but did not get to building due to the birth of my daughter.

Now the photo's are gone.

Could you please send some photo's to me or re upload?

Many thanks in advance.