I went over at Hobby Easy website and I saw this M4A3 from Italeri. Is this version different from DML's BoB M4A3?

Hi Ralph:
You didn't cite what you saw. However if it is the same as this one:
http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=IT6440

Then, if the picture is correct, the Italeri kit is the same variant as DML's "Battle of Bulge" kit. It's an M4A3 with the T23 turret, mounting a 76mm cannon, with standard VVS suspension units.

The moulds are certainly a lot older. Parts of the Italeri Sherman like the running gear and turret date back to the 70s. The first time this model was issued it was called a Jumbo for some unknown reason, and was also advertised as an M4A2/A3.

It's okay, but not quite up to modern standards.

O-ok.... my fault. Here's the link:

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/LoadProduct.do?productid=22627

David's right. This kit came out in the late 80s (88-89) and called the M4A2 "Jumbo". It was neither an M4A2 nor a Jumbo. It was actually a fairly decent M4A3(76). It came out at the same time as the M36B1 Jackson and used the same hull and running gear as that kit and included the original Italeri M4A1 turret.

Heller has recently reissued this kit in 2005. The Italeri M4A3 hull has since been reissued with a 75mm turret and calliope rocket launcher (1996) and again as the USMC Sherman (with parts to make an M4A2 w/wading trunks).

Not a bad kit, especially since it is now pushing the 20 year old mark.

Adding to my first post: I would concur that it's not that bad but perhaps this would be the time to get the DML one. There are some tweaks with that kit as well but the overall package gives you more to work with than the Italeri kit.

I recommend investing your money on the new dragon kit. I got one in my stash and it look great.
It cost around 30€ and comes with PE, metal gun barrel + two round of brass ammo, metal tow cable and two sets of figures. (battle of the bulge infantry and tank crew. At least the crew figures seem to be improved, they look too good for figures from mid-'90s). The only nit-pick I can think of are the recessed weld seams on the upper hull, but those will be easy to fix by making new seams from stretched-sprue.

I already have the DML kit and was wondering if it's a different variant. Oh well, since you said it was once and the same, I'll just forget the Italeri one.

One of the benefits the new Dragon kit has over the Italeri kit is the amount of parts that go into the spares box. The Italeri kit includes one turret that gives you an earlier production turret with the new style commander's hatch and old style split hatch relocated to the loader's side.

The Dragon kit includes two upper turret halves. One is like the Italeri and the other is the later style that has the smaller oval loader's hatch.

Hi there!

Just want to make my opinion: I find the Italeri kit quite good regarding its age. There are a lot of aftermarkets products to update the kit. I build my version a year ago, using Verlinden antenna mount from the "Sherman Super Detail"-set and a Academy MG and mount as the only modifications. Agree; I could do more.



One last thing: SJ Zaloga has a quite good article on the subject - upgrading the kit - i Military Modelling(vol. 32, no. 7, 2002). Worth a look.

Anyway. Good luck with your project.

Simon