While going through my stash of armor kits, I discovered a forgotten piece, the "Korean War" M4A3E8 by Dragon. I bought it with the intention of backdating it to a tank used in WWII.

I'm fairly certain the tracks will have to be backdated, along with the main gun/muzzle break, but am not sure of what else would need to be changed, or any other inaccuracies present in this old kit. I had read about the potential hull problems, but am not sure how bad they are, or if all editions of this kit suffered from them.

Or, now that Dragon is set to re-release the E8 in WWII trim, should I just forgo working on the old soldier and just wait for the new, updated kit? (I'll probably buy one of the new ones anyway :-) )

Thanks,

Hi David ..If I were you I'd wait till next week to see the comments on the new kit coming out this week end..I seem to remember the Mantlet holes were upside down on the first kits. As for changing the tracks ..You can use those tracks in WWII also. Let's hope we get an all new kit with the raised welding. Now wouldn't that be a time saver.!

Rick

Hey David
I would have a look at the newie coming out then use some of this new info to give your ol bird new flight! good feeling doing a bit of scratching

The differences between the Korean War M4A3E8 Rice's Red Devils (#9009) and the original WW2 M4A3 76(W) HVSS (#9010) were minimal. There was an add on armor sprue for the WW2 version and sand shields for the Korean War version. Also the tracks, and that was it.

Howdy David. With the correct markings the kit can represent a USA WWII Sherman in the ETO. The kits gun/muzzle brake,loaders hatch and track represent the latest model of the vehicle. Out here.