Hi any sherman experts. I am about to build the Asuka m4a3 sherman (75mm) late (cougar). Can this type be used in a diorama set in France (Normandy)? When did this type of sherman come into service?
Kind regards,
Paul

The A3 with the Ford GAA V-8 while in production and having been sent across the Atlantic to England by the time of Normandy, none had been issued to any independent tank battalions or any of the armored divisions. A3's would not begin to show up in front line units until the fall. the primary versions used by the Americans would be the later versions of the welded hull M4 and the cast hull M4A1, both with 75mm. 102 M4A1 76mm Wet stowage tanks were sent over in July in preparation for Operation Cobra and were given to the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions, additional 76mm A1's would slowly make there way to units as time went on. A3's with 76's would start to be seen at a later time in the fall.

The Asuka kit would be good for any diorama from October '44 to the end of the war based on the tracks with the duckbill end connector extensions that are included.

Hope this steers you in the right direction, look forward to seeing the build of the Asuka A3 75mm kit.

A good source for you. http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/index.html

Earliest pic I have is from September 15th, 1944, near Dombasle. (737 TB.)



14 AD, during the fighting in the Vosges mountains, is also an option. (November '44)


Both are in the North-East of France, so Normandy no, but France yes.

The wet-stowage M4A3 had been in production since early in the year, but the US had stockpiled vast numbers of M4 and M4A1 tanks in England specifically for the invasion, and they were mechanically identical, with Wright Continental R975 engines. Since supply would be a critical issue, no Ford-engined M4A3 tanks went ashore until after the Normandy Breakout. Losses of the medium tanks were drastically higher than expected (36% in the first month), so battalions operating a mix of M4, M4A1 and M4A3 tanks became common in the autumn fighting. Repair teams just had to keep parts for two different engines in stock.
Dry stowage M4A3's were initially used for training, but they were returned for factory rebuilding starting in August, 1944, and they began to appear as replacement tanks in Europe and the Pacific by year's end.

I've not spotted any Ford M4A3s in a PTO setting. Do you have any pics?

Roy,

There are some in Concord's "Tank battles of the Pacific war".
"Angel" with 711 TB on Okinawa, and "Classy peg", with 716 TB on Luzon.

Used in the Philippines and Okinawa. Marine 6th tank battalion used them also. I have seen photos but don't have access to them right now.

That's a Fisher M4A3 wet stowage tank. The Ford dry stowage tanks do turn up on Okinawa, though. I'll have to rummage through my books.

The question refered to the Asuka M4A3 (75mm) W kit, which was only built by Fisher.

Marc: sorry for the confusion. I was replying to Gerald Owen's post about their being Ford M4A3 in the PTO -- no longer discussion late M4A3 75W per the original post.

Thanks Wayne!