Hi all,

I want to build a M4A4 with 75mm turret. My idea was to use the hull from dragons VC Firefly kit. The Firefly turret will be used on a Dutch turret bunker.

Now I've got 2 questions:

1 - Can I use the Firefly hull? As far as I know, this is a M4A4 hull.

2 - Which turret to use? Can I use the 75mm turret from the Tamiya M4A3 kit (breakthrough)? Or the tamiya M4 early turret? Or the dragon M4A1 early 75mm turret? Or are there any interesting resin turrets that don't cost too much?

3 - From which moment did the British use the turret rockets on Shermans?

Thanks!

Martin

1) Yes, the Firefly is an M4A4.

2) Tamiya M4 early or DML M4A1 turrets are suitable. I don't belive the late high bustle turret found in the Tamiya M4A3 was ever used on the A4 (I could be wrong).

3) Late 1944, sorry I can't be more precise. Only used by the 1st Coldstream Guards, Guards Armoured Div.

With a bit of work, the upper part of the Tamiya M4 Early turret can be made to join with the base of the Dragon Firefly turret. Easier than hacking out Dragon's very small turret ring anyway. That's how I built my M4A4.

Don't forget to add a bow MG to your M4A4 and to leave off the Firefly gun crutch. If you don't want to make your M4A4 a British Sherman V, many were used by the French (and the Canadians, Poles, Indian Army and even the Chinese).

Ok, thanks for the replies!

I think I'll use the DML kit, as I can use the hull of the M4A1 as well. I don't know what to do with the lower hull of the M4 early!

Any suggestions?

You do know that there is a Dragon M4A4(75) kit. It goes up on eBay fairly regularly and sells for a bit more than the Dragon Fireflies. I just noticed you are from the Netherlands so that may not hold true for you over there.

Don't know how to oder from ebay here in the Netherlands...but I'll go check it out!

Aren't there any resin turrets? I've seen a M4A2 turret but that's about it.....are there any?

Martin

The first ones that come to mind are those from Formations, but there's several more They have early and late low bustle turrets that are suitable if you wish to go the resin route.

Formations Models

Like this one?

Early M4 Dry Stowage 75mm Turret—$15
Kit #F003
Detailed Cupola
Periscopes and Covers
Lift Rings
M.G. Rotor Shield
Accurate Early M3 75mm Gun with Flared Muzzle
Both Styles of M34 Mantlet
Will Accept Tamiya M34A1
Mantlet Parts
Accurate Casting Marks