Just posted, an in-box review of DML's new Sherman III in 1/35th scale. A very well-executed model of a truly interesting variant. The review, along with a good number of detail images, can be seen:

Sherman III Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Looks like a winner!

Gday Jim
Really good review
Looks like they have made some really great improvements here...
Like the separate periscope housings and counterbalance springs on the hatches... What are the undersides like? Do they have that annoying 'raised' disc that the housing sits in?
Turret looks a bewdy too!

Thanks for the review Jim. This should be a winner for Dragon as this version of the M4A2 was used by all the commonwealth armies plus the Poles and the Soviets There is even evidence that some were taken from British stocks as replacements for American losses in the Ardennes.
Two of my planned builds are here
http://www.fronta.cz/foto/zniceny-sherman
A Soviet M4A2 with a cast transmission cover and a "Frankenstein" suspension
and here

The crew of a Sherman tank named 'Akilla' of 1st Nottinghamshire Yeomanry, 8th Armoured Brigade, after having destroyed five German tanks in a day, Rauray, 30 June 1944. Left to right: Sgt J Dring; Tpr Hodkin, Tpr A Denton; Tpr E Bennett; L/Cpl S Gould

Thanks Jim,
I think that with Dragon and Bronco there are going to be a lot of new accurate Allied vehicles to fill the gaps in the market and to hopefully satisfy the many modellers who dont want to build those used by the Axis powers.

I shall certainly buy this Sherman as it was one of those used by my own Regiment and it will allow me to focus on some of those vehicles from their history.

John

Pat, so far, the only Polish Sherman IIIs i've seen images of (so far and never say NEVER with Shermans) is the Direct Vision ones. Shows how much we're getting spoiled actually - I was about to complain that they didn't provide two hulls in the kit :-)

My main complaint were the decals - therefore, to somewhat 'even' the balance a bit, i'm now waiting on the Sherman III set from Echelon which will be reviewed in the next week or so...

Looks like a great follow-up to the Tarawa M4A2.

Jim: You don't mention these parts in your review.



They are also in the Tarawa kit and you are given a choice, but no guidance on which tank used which set. (FYI to all, these are part of the bullet splash rail that go on the upper hull behind the turret and in front of the engine access panels.) Does the Sherman III kit provide any clues?

Thanks for the review Jim

On only a slightly different topic, does anyone have any news of the new Tasca Sherman? Where to get in the U.K. reviews etc?
Many thanks

Tony

Looks fantastic. Thanks for the review!

[quote]Pat, so far, the only Polish Sherman IIIs i've seen images of (so far and never say NEVER with Shermans) is the Direct Vision ones.

The Poles used the Sherman III with Both the welded and cast hoods as well as DV. I have plenty of pictures of them in Italy and Egypt.

Chris

Great review, Jim. Looks like another really nice Sherman kit from Dragon. I have them on pre-order, so looks like it will be a short time before they arrive here at my shop

I will keep an eye out for your review on the Echelon decal set for the Sherman III. I just set up an account with them, and will be ordering the Sherman III set, and most if not all the other interesting decal sets they have. Excllent quality btw.

Cheers !!

Robert

Looks like great kit but something is missing in the box... decals for Polish Army in Africa and Italy.
I hope it will arrive to LHS before Christmas.

Thanks for the review, Jim.

Greetings all,

Looks like a grand vehicle. Glad to see this one finally arrive, lots of possibilities, Canadian, British, Polish - great.

It will be brilliant to build one OOB without the need for lots of different bits to make it correct.

Cheers

Al

With this version and the "Marine" version we only need the DV hull to make the line complete. I guess I'll be looking for those decal sheets myself!

Why not order it direct from the Tasca website. They are offering a free M2 browning kit with preorders
http://www.tasca-modellismo.com/english/eshopmain.html

Thanks Pat I have just done that from your link. Let's see how much it all is !!
Cheers

Tony

One question, if this is a Brit Sherman three where are the Smoke dischargers for the turret flank? Are they in the kit or do I need to raid the AFV club and Academy M3 kits for some?
This and the Welded hull are also perfect for Polish and New Zealand Shermans in Italy.
I am dissapopinted in the choice of markings but still VERY, VERY, VERY happy with this kit. In fact I think this would rate as MY most wanted kit for years and Bronco delivered the other and have the third on the way!
I hope DML offer a few variations of this and the Tarawa kit (maybe a 2-1 with both HUll types and a mega decal sheet plus 50 cals AA and smoke launchers.
CHeers
AL
Slobbering Sherman Freak

Fantastic! This will save spending a small fortune on aftermarket stuff to do a British Sherman! This is definitely on my list!

Does anyone seemed bothered by the fact that the kit does not include the early sherman suspension or that the tracks are not the solid rubber block type i assume is typical of MK III early version at El Alemain

Good points. The pictures I have of the M4A2 desert show tanks with the early rounded cast transmissions even with the dirrect vision. Most have the flat ruber block track. Of the dozen or so pictured, none have smoke launchers added. There is a picture of a tank dated 3 of 1943 that shows a tank that is very close to the DML kit. The only visible difference is that it has the cast nose, not the 3 pcs nose. No complaints though. If we all think DV, it might just happen.

The early M3 Suspension only occured on the Direct Vision Hulls which this version is not. This is pretty typical for a Brit M4A2 of the post alamein period as are the tracks.
I'm sure someone (DML or Academy) will eventually do this version.
Cheers
Al

Some pics of the Wiltshires parade vehicles A&C Sqn. Note the transmission covers all appear to be rounded however the third pic shows a 3 piece on a 46rtr vehicle in Sicily so this variant definately existed and if you want a rounded I believe one is in the kit:


[



For discussion purposes only.

CHeers
AL

Yes, there are two transmission covers included - the one from the M4a2 and the bolted one. Regarding the smoke dischargers, of all the images I have of the Sherman III, I haven't found that many showing them fitted - once again, they existed, but until I find more images, I won't lose much sleep over it.

The other area I mentioned in the review, and I think was mentioned here, is the lack of the roof mounted .50 calibre MG. Once agaim, they were certainly widely used, but it's NOT exactly going to require major surgery to correct it.

I almost gave myself a migraine trying to find a major problem with this kit. The truth is I didn't. I'm still not happy about the decal choice, but, as we've finally got a Sherman III which is correct I really think we can count ourselves very fortunate indeed, now if DML were to rework the M4a1 and do a Direct Vision hull, life would be even better

I've actually been drooling over this one for months as I was in the fortunate position to see some of the advance CAD drawings of various parts - even then, I knew it was going to be something very special. Personally, I doubt if any of us could have imagined (even a year ago) that the quality and accuracy was going to take such a quantum leap - all good things come to those who wait?

Jim Rae,
See if DML can make up a kit with just those little tie down loops (part B-31 on the M4A2). There were many more used on the M4's, to hold the tool securing straps etc. They may be tiny, but I could use a couple hundred with all the M4's I have going on.

LHS says that the Sherman III will hit the stores any time.