DML's M4a2 (the 'Red Army Version) has attracted a lot of attention since its release. I have several questions which I'd like to have explained to me...

1) What version is it exactly? Big hatch (m4a2) hull i.e, M4a2(76mm) Wet? Early or Late?

2) The turret. Would a simple change of turret to a 75mm (or even 105mm) be sufficient. And could I find one from Formations?

3) Tracks. If I was building it as a U.S. version, would the AFV club set be sufficient or would I have to go 'upmarket' for ModelKasten? I'd quite like to do it with the extendend 'duck-bill' grousers...

4) Any suggestions re.markings etc.?

Thanks, all help gratefully received....Jim

Hi Jim,
1) Its a late, Steep hull angle and large hatches.

2)Yes I think you can get 75mm turrets from formations.

3) & 4) Can't help there sorry.
Do you want to build a Marines M4A2?

Looking forward to seeing it what ever version you choose

1) Out of the box, it's a late M4A2 76mm wet stowage.

2) If you want to swap turrets for a 75mm version (i.e., a USMC tank), you should use a high-bustle turret like what comes in the Tamiya M4A3 kit, not a low-bustle like Formations makes. If you do this, the hull may have applique armor because many of these "late" hulls were also dry stowage. Also, the 75mm turret will need the "cheek bulge" on the right side.

3) AFV Club should be OK, but I'd check the fit on the drive sprockets before committing. I wouldn't mess with the Model Kasten. If you want to go indy link, you might want to try RHPS.

4) Markings? Depends on which version you decide to build. You'll have to piece something together, no matter what tank you decide to build.

As Andy already stated this is a late big hatch model,but these could be wet or dry if you add a 75mm turret... No Formations does not make the right high bussel turret needed for a late M4A2 but you could easily switch the turret from Tamiya's M4A3 kit ..You should add the cast bulge on the front of the turret though...I hear that Dragon might be doing a Marine version as well as the Academy kit is already out (but they forgot the bulge too!) As for the tracks yes the AFV Club tracks(remember there aren't enough gousers to do both tracks ) can be used but check your references because alot of different tracks were used by the Marines .As for markings for a Marine Sherman you should look at some of the by Dave Harper...Very well documented ..He really knows his stuff...

Rick

O.K, thanks for the responses. Now a supplementary (or 3 ) Who else does the high-bustle?

Good reference needed for the turrets. I have the Ampersand book on the Sherman which is great if you are doing turretless versions anything else out there?

I may just build it from the box - I have a couple of ideas. Any pitfalls/tweaks? Thanks, Jim

Jim --

The Tamiya turret is pretty easy to find. The alternative is to get the spare turret out of the rare Dragon Firefly IC kit (which is the only turret with the correct cheek bulge). Here's a page with some links to tweaks, tips and reference: http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html

The biggest "fault" with the Dragon M4A2 is the hull welds -- they should be raised, not recessed. Same problem with the Tamiya and Italeri M4A3 Shermans.

That would be Italeri! no bulge there either. Apart from the very strange 75mm muzzle, the rest of the turret is pretty good.

Although I don't (yet) own the Academy M4A2 USMC, I know it corrects the rear hull angle (wrong on the Soviet version). On the other hand, several of the markings are for M4A3s.....

Jim
Tank Workshop has high bustle turrets for the 75mm type Also I would stay away from Model Kasten Sherman links Way too many peices to work with

I bought a set of those a few years back and never touched them

Now, one other question... The Track racks were fitted, but apparently missing from the kit... Any ref pics? Thanks, Jim