Sherman Gurus,

I need your help please.

I am building an Italeri M4A1 76 in a bocage diorama busting thru a hedgerow with a rhino and I need to figure out which perscopes I would have to open up (the least I can get away with, the better!).

In particular I am intrigued by the periscopes available to the hull mger and the driver. They have 2 each: one mounted in the hull and seemingly fixed looking forward and the other in the hatch with what seems like 360o traverse. Question 1: would they have them both open at the same time or just one (which and why?). Question 2: if I need to, how do I remove the periscope covers molded in the hull without mutilating around them?

There is also a periscope on the commander's hatch. I guess, with the hatches closed this periscope should also be open or that commander will deserve what comes to him, right? Question 3: Or would the commander poke his head thru the hatch as they ram thru the hedgerow and risk getting a mouthful of sticksin the hope that when they come out on the other side he'll be better able to spot the bad guys before they perforate his ride?

Then there is what looks like a periscope cover on the loader's hatch, except that it's about double the length of the standard periscope cover. Question 4: What's under it? Question 5: Can it stay closed or would the person responsible be facing a military tribunal if he goes into action with it closed up?

Thanks guys, Mario

1) I don't know if there was any official directive about when to use which periscope for the two drivers (the "hull MGer" is actually the asst driver -- he had controls over there too).

Given the photos I've seen, it seems that the inner periscopes (the ones fixed fwd) were used sparingly. Makes sense since the one on the hatch could easily be rotatable.

2) If you really want to open it up, I'd say get a "chisel" blade from exacto -- and be very patient. I've done it but I don't think there was any special magic I needed to perform

3) No hard and fast rule: snipers or know the battlefield. The TC was always in a tough spot.

4) Loader's hatch: yup, another persicope. Just longer flap.

5) Again, no hard and fast rule.

A good product to get are the Tiger Model Designs M6 Periscopes. Great product for any allied builder.

Howdy Roy. Which M4 Sherman variant had two sets of drivers controls in the hull? I have never seen or heard of this setup in all my years. I never served on Shermans but have been in and out of a whole bunch of them. Mario, Formations makes a nice set of 1/35 vision blocks for the M4 also. Use a number 17 Exacto blade to remove the ones that are cast on. Out here.

D'oh. Yer right Mike.

Thanks guys,

I think I'll have the MGer, driver and commander periscopes open. I won't bother opening the fixed scopes in front of the MGer and driver, just the rotating ones.

I already have the formations scope set and have detached a block and a cover. What I would dearly love is an image of an open scope from the side so I know how the cover fits behind the scope. You wouldn't happen to have such a gem, would you?

Cheers, Mario

Not quite a side view, but this shot looking down onto the hatch of an M4A3 shows the hinge at the rear of the cover. The cover simply hinges back when the periscope mount inside is tilted forward to a vertical position.

http://tanxheaven.com/dmk/M4A3E8/M4A3E8-089.JPG

The periscope cover opens to 45 degrees. Out here.