Hi guys.

I don't know if these questions have been posted before, but I tried to search for the answers but found no answers, so I just ask them.

I would like to build a collection of British Shermans, but as I understand it there are a few that can be built out of the box.

So, what I would like some help with is to find out what kits I could use, and what conversions to use. Also good sources for markings.

And now the second question. I'm already in the process of starting a MkI using Tamiyas kit and conversion from Accurate armour together with markings from Bison. But there is one thing that I can't find the answer for, and that is wich transmission cover to use, the one in three pieces or the solid one? The scetch that came with the markings look like te soid casted one, but I'm not sure.

Thankful for any answer to these questions or pointers on where I can find these answers.

I'll take a stab with the better options available:

Sherman I: Tamiya M4 kit w/Acc armour conversion -- you're right on with that. If you want a tweak list for the M4 kit, go here:

http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html

Sherman I, Hybrid: Get DML kit or better yet, get the CMD resin hull.

Sherman IC (both M4 and M4 Hybrid 17pdr conversion). Place your favorite Firefly turret atop either of the first two suggestions (CMD, Formations, ABM, TWS, etc.)

Sherman II (M4A1). The UK operated both the direct vision hull and the later one with DV removed. Formations does both the DV and the later one. DML does the later one in kit 6048, their M4A1 75mm Early kit.

Sherman IIC. M4A1 with 76mm turret. Get the just released DML kit or if you must, the older Italeri M4A1 kit.

Sherman III. CMD conversion for the early DV version. Many manufacturers make the standard 75mm gun tank. I think Legends, Toro make the UK version. There was a blog over on Track-link for the Legends build up. A Sherman III has been announced by DML for 06!!!

Sherman IV: only a few made it to the UK for trials. If you really want this, get the Tamiya M4A3 75mm kit. There's a possibility that there could have been earlier small hatch M4A3 hulls. If so, then you'll want the OOP MP MOdels conversion kit.

Sherman V: Formations has a full kit of this. Probably the best. An option is to get the newer DML Firefly VC (Kit 6182) and slap on a 75mm turret.

Sherman VC: Combination of Formations firefly update and DML 6182 or just the Formations Sherman V kit.

Sherman IB: M4 (105mm howitzer tank). TWS or Armoured Brigade conversion kits. Or convert the Tamiya M4A3 (105) kit (that's what I'm doing).

Of course there are other specialty tanks:

BARV: by Resicast
Sherman Crab: Resicast or OOP Coree
Sherman ARV: by Accurate Armour

T31/M2: Calibre35 plus your choice of accurate M3 Lee chassis

CDL: Resicast turret and your choice of M3 Lee

M32 kits
M10 kits

etc.

Minor correction, that should be Sherman IIA. The C suffix indicates it was fitted with the British 17pdr, not the American 76mm.

Thnx Geoff:
I was just typing from memory and that one slipped by. Thnx for the correction!

Hi Thomas,

I asked the same question to AA. You can use either trasmission, they were both classes as a Mk 1 Sherman. Now, which wheels to use!!! (ha ha).

I converted one I had originally build as a US tank with 3 piece transmission and spoked wheeles and built another with cast transmission and cast wheels!! They are both Mk 1's.

Hope this helps.

Al

Roy,

Thanks for the post, that's really handy.

Al

I guess I should have been more specific about the transmission cover. I'm doing the Sherman MkI in Bison decals sheet 35010, and I'm not sure which one of the transmission covers to that specific tank.

Hi Thomas,

If you are building a specific vehicle then you will need to find a reference photograph to help guide you.

If you just want to build a representation of any British Tank of a particular unit then it probably will not matter too much which transmisssion you use. There were mixed versions in many units.

If you think of the 3 piece transmission as an early Mk 1 and that there were 3 tanks per troop then it's quite likely that one or two of the original vehicles were knocked out and when replacements arrived they had the newer (later) cast transmision.

You haven't specified which unit your decals represent. If you post a question about the unit and the location/theatre of war and ask for help with references/pictures you will probably find that someone has a reference or photo that can help you.

Have patience if you are trying to represent a specific vehicle it takes time to do the research.

I've been working on 3 Shermans of 2nd Guards Armoured for months and I still haven't got the markings sorted out properly although the vehicles are pretty much finished!!!

Hope this helps. Sorry I haven't had the time to look up what unit the 35010 decal sheet represents!!

Al

The details I have about the tank is that it's a Sherman MkI nicknamed "Helmdon", belonging to Northamtonshire Yeomanary, 33rd Armoured division. France 1944.

Hope this can help a little more.

Hi Thomas,

I don't have any specific information on this Unit or vehicle. However, they do have a museum.

Try e-mailing them for information at

[email protected]

The curator is called Peter Field. As you want specific information about a specific vehicle he might be able to provide a photo or source of reference that could help.

You could do a google search on Northampton Yeomanry and find out a bit more about the regiments history and background.

Hopefully one of the members who is more Sherman aware than me will pick up this thread and be able to help you.

If you don't get an answer in this thread, repost you question with as much information as you can give. Sometimes your questions will get lost as a thread developes.

Best I can do for now.

Al



You might find this site useful for background information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Divisions_in_WWII

A search of the IWM on-line photo archive only turned up one picture of Helmdon (#B 8796). Its a fairly well known shot of the commander doleing out rations prior to Operation "Totalize", and only shows the tank from the side. Further searches for 33rd Armoured Brigade, Northamptonshire Yeomany and Operation "Totalize" failed to yeild much additional info.

IWM Collection

I have learned one thing today Not to be so lazy and go search for the answers myself.

I found out that Helmdon had the casted one piece transmission cover.

Hi Thomas,

That's progress - right? One problem solved. Good luck with the build.

Al

PS. What's the Swedish word for thank you? I' m sure the others who contributed to this thread might appreciate it.

Be happy - have fun.

That sure was progress, started the build last night, and hopefully no more problems will occur.

And to all of you guys: Tack så mycket!!! (or thanks a lot...)

Sorry for bumping an old thread, but I thought, with the recent interest in allied vehicles that there are different choices for British Shermans now. So, I thought I should ask.

When it comes to my Sherman MkI project, no progress what so ever has been made. Will see what I can do when I get home from Australia. And by then I should have gotten Dragons Sherman MkIII in the mail...

Helmdon apparently had a 1 piece nose going of a Colour plate from a reliable source (based on photo).
Cheers
Al