Hi there,
I plan to take part in the "Tank Aces" camapign and want to use DML's kit to build this tank (DML 6255). I am currently trying to determine which parts I have to use. I could really need some guidance :

Has this specific tank used the upswept return rollers?
Which are the correct roadwheels, the spoked or the pressed ones?
Other than that, can I build the kit OOTB?

You see, I am pretty new to Shermans and have not really found any ref for this one ... thanks for any help !
regs - Andreas -

Gday Andreas
As far as I know, the upswept would be used, and definitely the pressed roadwheels and solid idler... Think OOB would be fine. Abrams may have had a .30cal mounted on the hatch ring instead of the .50cal at one stage... Not sure, but I'm sure you'll get more help here...
Cheers
Brad
EDIT: One thing bugs me though... I'm certain that Thunderbolt V was an M4, and that he switched to a (76) M4A3 later in '44, which would make it Thunderbolt VI????
Viewed a scrap of a pic on a book cover which looked to be named Thunderbolt IV, but it is a cast hull and looked to have the wider guards to cover the HVVSS suspension, which is totally unusual in itself... The thot plickens...

DML 6255 should be Thunderbolt VI unlike what the decals suggest.

Brad is correct about upswept return roller arms, pressed wheels, and pressed idler. It also had the "fancy" drive sprockets. The .30cal MG that Bradley mentioned was not mounted to the commander's cupola (which was the single hatch type with view ports around the circumference). The extra .30 cal MG was most likely mounted to a field mod post on the armored gunner's periscope housing.

thanks guys,
so I am gonna go for the solid wheels and idler, too. I figure it should be no prob to change the lettering from IV to VI. I think I already read somewhere that this was a mistake by DML, one only wonders why they don't correct this mistake ...
Also, you don't happen to have any pic of the actual Thunderbolt VI? I can't really imagine where to put the .30Cal and I always like to have some ref to go along with the construction?!
thanks again - Andreas -