Hi guys1 I'm not a Shermie expert so I came here for some info. I have the Dragon kit "Operation Cobra" sherman, what, if any, corrections need to be made to the kit for correctness. And also, what other european operations was this model of sherman involved in?
Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions, but I'm a Kraut AFV modeller, and Shermies are out of my realm. I didn't want to buy a bunch of ref material just to build one Sherman
Thanks aheadof time for any help, Ed

You got a good one there. The DML Cobra M4A1 is extremely good right OOB. Two areas that need correction are:

1) the two armored fuel caps that are next to the air inlet cover (on the engine deck, right behind the turret) were for an earlier version. Those should be removed/filled.

2) the idler wheels have hollow backs -- shouldn't be so.

A pretty comprehensive review is here:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6083.htm


This version got into theatre in late June '44 and fought to the end. They were in the Italian theatre also. Some of this type was used by allied armies (UK, France, S Africa), too.

None of the 76mm Shermans served in the Pacific.

Gday Ed...
Well you have wandered onto a good Sherman kit here..
This was the first incarnation of the M4a1 with the new turret T23 and a 76mm guntube... The 'a1' refers to the one-piece cast (curved) hulled Sherman. You will note the large angled drivers hatches, which were remodelled for ease of escape for the crew... They came ashore in July '44 in preparation for Operation Cobra, which was the breakout from the bocage (hedgerows) pushing south from the beaches and Cotentin peninsula... Initially they weren't liked, but found to be better once they engaged Panthers...! Other operations would be from Op. Cobra right through to the taking of Berlin, including the Ardennes offensive. There were some later alterations including a muzzle brake etc.Not sure they were used in the MTO Italy though...
As for the kit, it is quite accurate although you may want to rough up the casting a little more on the hull sides and the turret sides... There are 2 fuel filler caps tucked in next to the large rectangular cover under the turret rear overhang.(inside the bullet splash ring) they are to be removed for accuracy, leaving 2 on the left and 1 on the right, and one out on the engine cover... (Be careful of the rivets!)
T-48 tracks were used (the rubber chevron style) and either the stamped or spoked rear idler wheel...
Other issues are common faults to most of the plastic kits on the market, but it depends on how accurate you wanna be
Hope this helps, and welcome to Sherman world!
Cheers
Brad

LOL: Bradley, you and I must have hit the "Submit" button simultaneously!

hehe Roy! You see a Sherman help question sitting there with replies, so you puff your chest out and wade in only to be pipped at the post! :-)