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For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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What Sherman to do next???
sniper
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New York, United States
Joined: May 07, 2002
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 08:03 AM UTC

OK, I'm within sight of the end of my current project and am already thinking about the next.

I should be done (within two weeks) with a Winter camo M4. Yes, it is almost the same thing that Ken has in his article! I have been working on this thing for 4 months so unfortunately I was not able to cheat and steal all of Ken's great techniques! But, I hope to post a few photos of the completed kit to get some opinions soon. I used PE, indy link tracks, and a bunch of aftermarket, so it's really been dragged out. (Haven't dropped it yet, though!!) Still have to finish the base, stowage (a bunch), and the figures.

Now, you may already get the idea that I work sloooow. Also, I like to do a buch of research before building so I know where I'm headed.

The question; I now LOVE Shermans (the Winter M4 being my second) and want to do another. Which one?

I have a few DML Shermans around (firefly, M4A3E8, etc.) and the Italeri M4A1 and Calliope. Also ahve an IDF Sherman too. And, a few M4 based tank destroyers.

I'm thinking of maybe a Priest.

I would like to get some advise. What should I do next! Would love to do an Aunt Jamima, but don't think the Verlinden set is still around.

Steve
Folgore
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Canada
Joined: May 31, 2002
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 08:14 AM UTC
Steve--I have just started working on my very first model of a Sherman. I got DML's Firefly, but I am modifying it to make a Canadian M4A4 with the short-barrelled 75-mm gun. It's a neat project for me, since I have never done a lot of modifications to a model before. There are a lot of changes to do. Thus far, I have shortened the lower hull and scraped away and filled in detail and holes that aren't supposed to be on a 75-mm M4A4. So if you're interested in doing some Commonwealth stuff, you could do something similar.

Nic
Doc
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 09:52 AM UTC
DML has a M4A4 with the 75. Actually it has 2, one normal tank, shown in Chinese markings on the box, and one with rockets, shown with markings of the Coldstream Guards. I've always liked the 'Jumbo' M4A3E3. Actually, if I could build any Sherman it would be 'Colorado', a M4A2 at Tarawa. 'Condor' and 'China Girl' would be neat to do also. Or how about a M4A1 in service with the Brits in North Africa?
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 10:10 AM UTC
I would build the POA-CWS-H5 (Pacific Ocean Area Chemical Warfare System) variant of the M4A3E8. It is kind of neat and has a coaxial flame thrower/105mm howitzer and was also used in Korea. This gives you the detailing option of a tropical or arctic use tan. DML makes the kit and is number 6807.
sniper
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 10:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I would build the POA-CWS-H5 (Pacific Ocean Area Chemical Warfare System) variant of the M4A3E8. It is kind of neat and has a coaxial flame thrower/105mm howitzer and was also used in Korea. This gives you the detailing option of a tropical or arctic use tan. DML makes the kit and is number 6807.


Great choice!

I have this DML kit (it's a firefly varient) and love the idea of doing a Pacific vehicle.

I'll have to look through the Hunnicutt book to see if they have any photos of these.

I have an old Verlinden Firefly turret that needs a home. Have a nice barrel to go with it too...

Steve
210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 12:14 PM UTC
I have the Osprey book on building Shermans which contains a nice write-up on building the Calliope. Has anyone build one of those unique Sherman variants?
thanks
DJ
kf8xo
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Michigan, United States
Joined: February 19, 2002
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 01:48 PM UTC
I built the Monogram Caliope when I was 13. (1977) I didn't do bad, but I'd love to do that kit again!
Folgore
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Canada
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 01:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

DML has a M4A4 with the 75. Actually it has 2, one normal tank, shown in Chinese markings on the box, and one with rockets, shown with markings of the Coldstream Guards.


You're right Doc, but I felt the problems with those kits (namely the incorrect suspension) would be more difficult to fix than the modifications necessary to change a Firefly into a regular M4A4. The only thing I got for aftermarket was the 75-mm barrel and mantlet, the rest I am doing by scratch. Since Steve said he had a Firefly, I thought he might be interested.

Nic
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 02:16 PM UTC
Sniper, the POA-CWS-H5 is not a Firefly variant. It is a semi-standard 105mm howitzer gunned M4A3 with a flame thrower coaxially mounted instead of a .30 machine gun. This particular kit comes with the horizontal volute suspension system (HVSS). Nice kit of the Sherman.

DJ, I've got a kit of the best OOB Sherman calliope. It is made by Italeri and comes with the same basic M4A3 tank kit that is in their USMC M4 Sherman box. It just adds the calliope rocket launcher system. I believe it is OOP, since I remember buying it at the Leavenworth PX when I was there in 1996 for CAS3. The only other OOB calliopes are the 1/32 Monogram kit (recently re-released) but this is mounted on an M4A1 chassis and the Esci M4A1 calliope in 1/72 scale.

Verlinden did a calliope set a few years ago, but they usually pull a conversion off the market once an injection version is made by a mainstream manufacturer.
cromwell
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England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: August 29, 2002
KitMaker: 202 posts
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Posted: Monday, October 07, 2002 - 10:04 PM UTC
Me I'd like to a Duplex drive or the flail after my Fire fly is finished.

The Sherman I in brit service in Afirca sounds like my cup of tea as well.

Hope what ever you choose to do works out OK and post some pix
210cav
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Virginia, United States
Joined: February 05, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 12:31 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Sniper, the POA-CWS-H5 is not a Firefly variant. It is a semi-standard 105mm howitzer gunned M4A3 with a flame thrower coaxially mounted instead of a .30 machine gun. This particular kit comes with the horizontal volute suspension system (HVSS). Nice kit of the Sherman.

DJ, I've got a kit of the best OOB Sherman calliope. It is made by Italeri and comes with the same basic M4A3 tank kit that is in their USMC M4 Sherman box. It just adds the calliope rocket launcher system. I believe it is OOP, since I remember buying it at the Leavenworth PX when I was there in 1996 for CAS3. The only other OOB calliopes are the 1/32 Monogram kit (recently re-released) but this is mounted on an M4A1 chassis and the Esci M4A1 calliope in 1/72 scale.

Verlinden did a calliope set a few years ago, but they usually pull a conversion off the market once an injection version is made by a mainstream manufacturer.


Rob---I am going to check my still to be built cabinet. I have a Calliope . I thought the kit was by DML? I also looked up Calliope--"a musical instrument fitted with steam pipes..." Obviously, a term from by-gone days.
DJ
sniper
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New York, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 08:07 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Sniper, the POA-CWS-H5 is not a Firefly variant. It is a semi-standard 105mm howitzer gunned M4A3 with a flame thrower coaxially mounted instead of a .30 machine gun. This particular kit comes with the horizontal volute suspension system (HVSS). Nice kit of the Sherman.

...



Right, my bad.

I have this flamethrower kit too. Do you think it is acceptable as a late WWII vehicle or do mods need to be made?

Steve
PorkChop
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Wisconsin, United States
Joined: September 11, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 04:57 PM UTC
Give teh Academy M-51 a shot. I had the kit and traded it away. Looked real nice and those modifications always make me think of a Sherman on 'roids.
Nate
Wisc, USA
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