Hello all,

New to the site and its a wealth of information, I've been scanning back a ways and havn't tripped over my question so apologies if I didn't go far enough. I'm currently working on Tamiya's 1/35 M4A3 75mm and due to the better half not appreciating the concept of a stash its one of my few on hand kits so I'm wanting to take time and try my hand at easier to do mod's and upgrades. I do plan to get a PE kit or two, add a metal barrel but outside of that sticking to the core kit.

Currently I have removed all those rough modeled on handles and added bent wire ones, blended the pistol port and cleaned up the gap on the bottom of the turret bustle, added weld seams from sprue, added weep holes around the fuel caps and corresponding areas around the turret, worked up some better welds on the lift points, adding the missing bolts to the VVSS to dress it up.

I'm sure there are a bunch of easy mods and changes, I'm just re-entering the hobby after 3 decades away so skills are still coming along but not quite ready to tackle major surgery w a razor saw to fix a degree here or there in armor plates etc.

I'd welcome any insights along the lines I've described above, I'm trying to strive for a blend of accuracy and "do it yourself" if that makes senses. I've read about an easy mod w exhaust deflector but I've yet to find a solid reference. Any input, ref photos of what you have done etc would be most welcome.

Thanks for entertaining my question, as I mentioned theres a wealth of knowledge here that I've barely scratched and look forward to what the site and you all have to offer.

M4A3 exhaust deflector :

http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Sherman%20Corner/Correcting%20Tamiya%20Deflector/correctingdeflector.htm

Welcome to Armorama

H.P.

Thank you! Hadn't tripped across that resource yet, I'll be sure to spend some time on browsing through it, bet it will give me some other ideas. Do believe the sheet styrene is coming out and I'll have a go at modifying this piece. Appreciate it.

Welcome to Armorama Chris!!!

I wish you the best of luck and will be following along here on your build. Don’t be shy, so post a few work in progress shots as you go.

To help you get started check out this thread on building up an M4A3E8. It has a couple of tips on how to do some basic details

M4A3E8-Post #1

And

M4A3E8-Post #9

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions

Dave O'Meara built this kit several years ago and showed the corrections/improvements he did. Things like building up the cast cheek armor and weld beads.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/1053&page=2

Hope this helps.

This article is usefull.
http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35122.html

Formations make a nice exhaust deflector.
https://www.formationsmodels.com/index.php/resin/general-detail-parts-sets


Have fun.