Hey Guys,

I'm working on building one of the Tamiya Early M4's. I started off planning on just doing it straight OTB but decided that I needed to do at least a few detailing improvments since this is the first modeling effort I've pursued in several years. So, I have a couple of questions.

Many of the photos I've seen of the M4 show a strip of metal that runs the length of whatever the side panels above the bogies are called. The strip of metal appears in the photos to be bolted or screwed on as indicated by the holes in the strip. I suspect are bolt heads or screws are recessed in these holes. So, first what are these panels called? What is the strip of metal called and what is it for? How are they attached to the side panel and if they are bolts how many are used to attach the panel. I have copies of Jeremy Scuts M4 Sherman Modeling manual and Squadron's M4 Sherman in Action and I can't seem to find the info I need in them.

Next, does anyone some close up photos of those wire "cages" that surround the periscopes on the outside of the turret and does anyone know what the diameter of the rod stock for those things might be?

Finally I'm building the model with the early production bogies and am considering adding several of the later production bogies stowed as additional replacements or perhaps even substituting a couple of the early production bogies with later ones. I've seen photos of Soviet T-34s with mixtures of different production types of wheels and read that it was a common practice for Soviet tank crews to do so. Does anyone think that US tank forces would have done that or were our logistical support and supply levels good enough to provide parts pretty much as needed?

Links to photos that could assist with these questions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your assistance
Cheers
Mike Lane

Hi Mike: Welcome to Armorama and definitely, welcome to the world of Shermans!!! I'll take a stab at some of your questions:

1) that metal strip is the attachment point for sand shields that could be mounted. These were to reduce dust kick up and hung down over the top rung of tracks. How many bolts? I dunno. Have a look here:


http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m4a375_04.jpg

It's part of this collection:
http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/m4a375.htm
http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/allied.htm

2) wire cages:

You can look at more here:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/ljs/fireflyljs/9949-Sherman-VC-Firefly,Ursel.JPG

Part of this collection:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/ljs/fireflyljs/fireflyljs.htm

Part of this website:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/referencepictures.htm

What diameter? Maybe .5mm. Do what looks right and in scale.

3) when you say "early production" bogies, do you mean the ones with the central upper return roller as seen in the earliest M4s produced? Or do you mean bogies that correctly depict the horizontal return roller arm (the Tamiya kit gives you the later, raised return roller arm). A mix isn't unheard of but rare. I wouldn't have any "spares" of a major component like that stowed with the tank itself though. The crew wouldn't have any heavy equipment to replace it themselves anyways and they'd want the stowage space for their own gear. The Maintenance units would carry spare components like that.

For a very comprehensive tweaks list for the Tamiya M4, you've got to see this:

http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35190.html

Part of this collection:
http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/articles.html

HI Mike
Well maybe not all the answers but I hope I can help a bit. First off I think the first question was about the attachment point for the Sand Shields along the sponsons? From the photos I have it is not obvious as to the way that are attached (Some look welded and some look bolted?) just some spots on the photo where the sand shields attach is all. For the second question I think you are talking about the periscope cages? If so I have seen them done in fine wire but There is Photo Etch that is easier and some kits come with them but in plastic they are overscale. Get with me by PM or e-mail ( [email protected] ) and I can send you some of my Photos on these. As for the last question I am assuming that you are talking about the Bogie Wheels? If so they did have a mixture on some tanks. There are a few different types out there just depends on Time frame and ref's. I may be able to help there as well?
HTH
Jeff

Hmmmmmmmm,
I think what you are reffering to is the sand shield mounts. These ran along the bottom length of the hull and had holes for bolts - or in the case of the newer DML Firefly kit they modelled it with the bolts still in their respective "holes".

Off the top of my head I can't recall the number of holes - the strips were either in 3 pc or 1 pc.

When you refer to the different bogies - you might mean the wheels. The bogies are the "trucks" that hold the suspension units together. It was quite common to see a mixture of roadwheels on a Sherman - I made one recently that had no less than 5 different wheels on it.

HTH
Chris

Gday Mike
Well firsty the strips you are after are known as 'sand hield attachment strips' or similar, and they were as stated the attachment points for the side skirts which were introduced in the desert, but army doctrine later saw the removal of these as they interefered with maintenance... Go to usarmymodels.com and look at the pics of Sherman family...
Basically for the Tamiya M4 early, it is a mid production model which features the added armour and mid production bogey housings. The existing edge you see along the hull is their vain attempt to replicate the strip. You could remove this, or attach a new thin strip to it... I'm building this kit at the moment, so if I can be of help lemme know...
As for the 'cages' they were periscope guards, and what I've found as the easiest way to replicate these is to use 8 amp fuse wire... Use super glue, and have a corresponding drill bit to make the small holes necessary... Sorry don't have a great pic at the moment...
As for the mix with the bogeys, this happened quite often as per the Russians as you stated... I'd have the mix in use, as opposed to stowed... Any early ones would already be in use, and the later would be used straight away as replacements once obtained...
Hope this helps
Cheers
Brad

Hi Mike ...most of your questions or I should say all of your questions have been answered so all I have to add is ,if you don't want to add the wire cages you really don't have to on an early production model .These seem to have been refitted later but many Shermans were seen without these .

Rick

Ahhh yes the confusion of Shermans All I can add to these other fine posts are that the sandshield strips were welded to the upper hull. The holes are for mounting the shields. Check carefully for the number of strips and the hole spacing. Also watch for small gaps between the mounting strips. As for spare suspension, the most you usually see is a spare road wheel/ drive sprocket face or sometimes an idler wheel. It is hard defining early/mid/late production vehicles but this is the place to come too for answers.
Doug

Hey Guys

I knew it. I knew as soon as I posted my questions it I would receive a barrage of useful information. Thanks to all of you. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am truly glad I joined this website and hopefully I'll be able to help all of you someday.

Mike Lane