I'm currently building a USMC Sherman (4th Marine Tank Battn.). The Italeri kit has the deep-wading gear exhaust stack with the opening forwards whereas the Osprey Modelling Manual 'M4 Sherman' model of the 5th Bttn tank shows this facing rearwards ( which for the exhaust would make more sense).
Which is correct?

well im not 100% sure but most of the pics ive seen show them facing forwards

this is an M10, based on an M4A2 chassis



this i think is an M4A1




hope they help

cheers

joe

Not true. When a tank comes off the landing craft and hits the water, the rear end is sitting in the deepest part of the sea. Also the rear is the heaviest since it has the engine located there. You would want the exhaust opening away from the deeper water, so it would face forward. Remember, as the tank travels on shore, the nose is pointed slightly up which tilts the tail back. You wouldn't want water washing into the exhaust trunk.

BTW, Joe's bottom photo isn't an M4A1. The M4A1 had the cast hull, it is most likely an early M4. Note the absense of a loader's hatch (where the circled star is) showing an early turret and the sharp, flat edges of the welded hull.

d'oh, sorry sabot is right. i meant early M4, as in the tamiya kit.

cheers

joe

Many thanks Guys, both will face forwards.