I am toying with the idea of making a Sherman. After seeing a few posted here, my curiousity has been peaked. Which Sherman kit out there is the best? Most accurate?

Can you build just one?

The one that seems to get the most praise (that I've have seen) is the DML early M4A1 - for accuracy and buildablility. I've built one and it nearly seemed to fall together.

The DML Russian M4A2 76mm also seems to get alot praise - but I don't have one, so can't really comment.

The DML Battle of the Bulge is pretty good but has issues with the manlet and the shape of the turret (for the earlier style one that is offered - also has the option to build the later T23 turret).

But once you become a Shemaholic, it doesn't really seem to matter - you'll end up with all kinds of kits and conversion sets.... so beware!

hth

cn

Hi Brian,

I can't really say, I like them all. There are usually issues with them, just depends how accurate they must be for you.

I'm interested in British Armour so there always seems to be something that needs fixed/changed but once you have one you might just want a few more!!!! :-) :-) :-) :-)

If your interested in Canadian Armour then you'll have the same issues to deal with but take your pick and ask lots of questions about the kit you decide on and and have lots of fun.

If your finding it hard to decide look at the history of some of the armoured regiments and take it from there, that can help you decide on which kit to build, and it's the history that usually guides me towards the version I want to build.

Welcome to the OD club

Cheers

Al

I don't know about accuracy that much, but the battle of the bulge sherman is great value for your money. If I remember right, it comes with five marking choices, PE parts, an aluminium gun barrel, and two sets of figures (us. tank crew and battle of the bulge infantry. I remember paying 35€, not a bad price at all, IMO.

M4A3(76) Battle of Bulge kit is good, but the welded hull in this kit still has inaccurate recessed weld beads and mantlet and turret shapes are not entirely correct.

In my opinion the best 1/35 M4 kit on the market now is M4A1(76) "Operation Cobra" kit from Dragon. It comes with newly tooled cast hull (so no problem with inaccurate weld lines!) and with improved turret and mantlet parts. Out of the box it is probably the most accurate Sherman kit, although it still has some flaws (like idler wheels without rear details).

Pawel

In my opinion the best 1/35 M4 kit on the market now is M4A1(76) "Operation Cobra" kit from Dragon.

When was this sherman used?

Hi,





Operation Cobra at Wikipedia.

Here's a great review to give you an idea of what you're in for.
http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6083.htm

It's a very nice model, and I hope to build one some day (but for now, I have far too many Sherman tanks to justify its purchase!)

Would agree about the M4A1(76) Operation Cobra version... But the issue with the lack of detail on the rear of the idler can be overcome by using the spoked idler included... I know that 'In the Mood' used them... But I'd have a look at Canadian armour... Give you a little more interest in the build perhaps?

Normandy Breakout through the end of the war. During the autumn of 1944, the M4A3 predominated in Sherman deliveries to Europe, but an additional batch of M4A1(76)w were supplied in early 1945, though they had the late turret and some had muzzle brakes.

As Pavel said the DML M4A176 is currently the best avail and it really is a great kit. The M4A1 76 was mainly used byt the US in NWE starting during Operation Cobra in 44. The Polish used them in Holland and Polish markings are included in this kit.
The South African 6 Armd used them in Italy along with the Brit 2 RTR.

I'm hoping Pawel and his team have the ultimate Sherman kit almost ready for release in the M4A2 Tarawa.
Another recommended Sherman is the Academy M4A2 Marines. A rarer variant but nice kit; again not without faults. I here the M4A1 in 72nd from DML is a real gem and I hope they retool the 35th one to the same standards (Hint Pawel)
Cheers
AL

hi brian, the M4A1(76) is my choice..but still you can build 'em all. i have the battle of the bulge waiting in line..i was bitten by a sherman bug a month ago. and i'm also waiting for the thunderbolt-VII version..with add-on armour and EZ8 suspension soon to be release by dragon.

...have lots of fun building them. okay.