I'm planning on using Tamiya's M4 Sherman(early production) for my "Up Front" campaign...any glaring inaccuracies I need to tend to, tracks, turret, etc.? Thanks.

Here you got dude

http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35190.html

Have fun!

Wow!...Okay...after reviewing all that, is Tamiya's M4A3 (with 105mm Howitzer) a more accurate kit OOB? Can I use pretty much the same source for correcting inaccuracies in that kit as for the early version?

Were the markings on the turret of the white star with stripe on either side used on one specific model or were those markings used on several? That alone may determine what model I have to go with...thanks again.

I think the M4 Early is more accurate than the M4A3 from the same maker. Those casting numbers are sure hard to make for the M4A3.

They say that DML has the best Shermans around. Haven't built one so I don't know much.

Maybe what I should be asking then is who makes the most accurate Sherman OOB?
I don't think it makes much difference what model I do as long as I can use the solid white star with stripes on the turret...

For a 'mid/late' Sherman - this (recently) published review:

M4a2 Review - Track Link..

This is for Tamiya's '105mm' it includes some notes on improving it...

Tamiya # 3190

Also, someone recently posted a 'tweaks list' dealing with the 'Early' Sherman from Tamiya...It was here on the forums...erk!...Jim

Darryl, you might consider this - for $40 this will give you everything you need.... This has had a VERY good press indeed...

Formations Tamiya Update Set Before anyone asks - I'm not connected with Formations (wish I was though!!!)...Jim :-)

When you say stripe, do you mean a horizontal band that wraps around the turret (see photo below) or simply the circle around the star? If its the former, then the 105mm M4A3 would be too late for that. Best option would be the Formations M4A1 resin conversion or the DML M4A1 if you prefer plastic.

Here's another Formations M4A1:


11Charlie: The star and stripe marking was not common. You may want to reconsider.

What't the best Sherman kit? That's like asking "Who's the most beautiful woman?" -- the answer is kind of subjective. All kits have their plusses and minuses. All the Tamiya kits (except for the long OOP M4A3E8) are pretty good, though they can all stand some tweaking.

Darryl- I think you need to make a choice here-
Do you want to match the Cartoon exactly, or do you want to model reality? Maudlin very freqently sketched ideas while in the field, then 'fleshed out' his drawings later for Stars & Stripes. As a result, he was relying mostly on memory for the details. Take a close look at his drawings & you'll generally see a mishmash of turret shapes, Shermans with individual roadwheels(no Bogie trucks), and the like. For that particular Cartoon, he may have remembered markings he saw in a vehicle review( Patton was said to be fond of the 'Star&Bar' marking as no one would confuse his vehicles with lend-lease: read-Monty...).
To sum up, In the spirit of the campaign, my opinion is to choose the vehicle which looks closest & mark it as you see fit. If your inner purist simply won't allow this, by all means follow Hollowpoint's recommendations. You don't get much more expert than him if your last name isn't Hunnicut or Zaloga...
HTH
RobH

RobH - You're absolutely right...I don't think there is enough "information" in the cartoon to be exact, but I want to make it look pretty darn close.
The "Star&Bar" is quite obvious so I think I should include that and the tank, although lacking in detail, appears to be an early model...that based on what little I know about Sherman's.
I want to correct the most glaring innaccuracies in whatever kit I decide to use. I'm just trying to get some semblance of what kit to start with and go from there.
I really like the the look of the "Star&Bar", so I think I'll keep that. Just have to decide what kit to put it on...
I guess what I need to do is ask for suggestions based on the cartoon, which I haven't a clue how to post here cause I'm almost as computer illiterate as I am Sherman illiterate... :-)

Maybe the DML M4A1 kit OOB with the "Star&Bar"?

ukgeoff - what kit did you use in the photo you posted (with the "Star&Bar")?

Thanks for the input guys...sorry to belabor the point...

That's probably your best bet. That DML kit is supposed to be re-released any minute now.

Guys
According to what I've seen around on various message boards,some folks have already got their DML M4A1's.FRom what I can find out from hobby shops over here we've gotta wait 2 or 3 weeks for em to hit the shelves here .
Pete

Sorry, I should have mentioned that the photo is from the Formations home page.

Thanks Hollowpoint...now where to find the DML M4A1 kit....


- for the baby...

Darryl
The stripe meant that the tank was used by
leadership, pltsgt pltleader co and what not.
The use of the stripe ended before the normandy
invasion...

Thanks, That's good information to know...

Charlie,
From what I have learned doing Shermans is that the white bar on the turrett was used primarly on tanks in the U.S. during training. However some Lee tanks and Shermans displayed a yellow and/or white band around the turretts during operation Torch and the suceeding Tunisa campaign. These bands would normally be the same color as the star insignia. Most Shermans that I have seen with this bar have been "stateside" training vehicals.
Frank

Just to muddy the waters a bit more...


From: "G.I.- The Illustrated History of the American Soldier, His Uniform, and His Equipment. : Patton's Third Army"
by Christopher J. Anderson, Chelsea House Publishers.

Note the caption off to the right. It would seem that some of the early M4's with the 'Star & Bar' did make it to Europe with old Blood & Guts.
Not being a Shermaholic, I'm hoping one of our resident experts can now chime in with the correct designation for this type...


Cheers!
RobH

Well, as the caption says, its an M4A1. Relatively early, although it has the one piece differential housing it also has the M34 mantlet. As for the markings, the caption says France, but it would appear to be the south of France. Some of the units for these landings came from Italy, so it's not inconcievable that you are looking at a command element of a unit that has been transhipped from Italy to France. It would explain the continued existance of relatively early Shermans as command element vehicles weren't knocked out as often as lead element vehicles. An older Sherman in the HQ could last a long time. If it is a vehicle that originally landed in Sicily or Italy, it is quite probable that the original markings would remain.

Paul