Hi chaps
There is a nice picture on the front of the book 'By Tank Into Normandy' by Stuart Hills. It looks like a M4A2, just like the Tarawa Sherman I have but not yet started.
I would Like to build this tank if possible as the one in the picture.
Question is, is it the same tank?
Can I use the Tarawa Sherman?
What changes should I make to make this?
I know there are many Sherman experts out there so would appreciate any help you could give. Sorry I cannot scan the photo but it is on Amazon if you would care to look.
Many thanks
Tony

Gday Tony
Just saw a small picture of the book... From what I can make out they look to be US soldiers, and from the T-48 track I'd say it was an M4. It has the wider mantlet for the gun, although there doesn't look to be applique armour plates over the driver boxes... And the commander looks to have a beret! There are a few anomolies maybe, but the pic I saw was kinda small... Is the story Brit/Commonwealth, or US? That should settle it
If it is an M4, then the Tarawa kit won't suit without some mods.
If it is a Sherman III (M4A2) then I'd wait for the release of Dragons new kit (If it isn't out for you blokes already!)
Hope this helps a little
Cheers
Brad

::EDIT:: Just saved the image and enlarged it a little... I'd say it is definitely a Sherman III, operating with US infantry? I can clearly see berets on all the crew now, and the armoured car (not my area of expertise!) behind is British...
So your only dilemma is changing the US fittings to British on the Tarawa kit, or waiting for the Sherman III perhaps... There are quite the experts here to help you with the specifics of the M4A2/Sherman MkIII differences...

Bradley,
thanks for the quick reply. It is indeed a Brit story. So a Sherman 111 then? Is there a lot of difference as I cannot really afford to buy another one
Thanks again.
Tony

Sorry mate was editing my original post... No, there are minimal alterations AFAIK... I'd do a search of the site and then the www. It shouldn't be too hard to find...

::EDIT::
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/britain/dml6313reviewcs_1.html
Here is a review of the new kit, and Cookie Sewell touches briefly on the differences...
I forgot about the two kits having either welded or cast hoods for the driver... Could be the biggest difference between them to the rivet counter

Brad,
not being a rivet counter myself the main difference seems to be the bustle box (as I call it). Thanks for the link BTW, it was a good read. Pity I cannot afford both but maybe I can make a decent enough British model out of this one.
Cheers
Tony

Have a look at hte artwork for the M4A4 by DML in 72nd which has a lovely 13/18th M4A2 depicted as an M4A4 (major gaff) .A lot of pics of the Welded Hoods Sherman M4A2 (Tarawa Kit) appear in Brit and Canadian Service in bot hthe Med and NWE. Suggested references are the Concord titles on Brit Armour in WW2 and the excellent :British Tanks in Normandy" in the H&C range. The IWM site is good for finding these .Use Sherman as the search title under WW2.
Cheers
Al

Well Brad, here's another review of the Sherman III - difference is that this one has full images

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/2167

@Tony, As to differences between the M4a2 and the Sherman III, the mantlet type, the front transmission can be bolted or cast (both versions appear on the 'III) the aerial mountings, amongst a few others. The DML 'III contains many parts from the previous 'Tarawa' M4a2 such as the transmission housing and three different mantlets.... So the latter is actually slightly better value...

I've just been browsing through "British Tanks in Normandy" both welded & cast drivers hoods were in evidence on mark III shermans serving with 27th & 8th armoured Brigades but most had 1 piece transmission housing . so either the "tarawa" or "mark III" kit could be used as British pattern fire extinguishers are in both kits all that's needed is alate pattern turret box

Thanks chaps,
I don't know why I have got 'hooked' on this tank, I guess it's just nice to do a 'real' one for a change.
Research has started. Just need good pics of the turret box.
Thanks again.
Tony

The turret box (along with hundreds of other useful images) can be seen in this book along with it's comanion volume (M4a2 Part #2) - a VERY good and inexpensive source for the Sherman III and M4a2:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1071

Jim,
I was just onto JadarModel site to buy this book. It looks like all I should need. Great review BTW.
Thanks again.
Tony

- you will - apart from a few contemporary images from the 'web, you'll find it covers all you could possibly need...

Hi
Please forgive my ignorance on this subject but what exactly is

Cheers. Nick

Nick, the "Tarawa" Sherman is a Dragon kit of the M4A2 with welded hoods as used on Tarawa:

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/dragon/dr6062.htm

But as Jim said it is suitable for use as a Sherman III if you add the British stuff.
I think Formations are going to do a British update set for it.

John, the tank has cast hoods as in the Dragon Sherman III kit.

The caption is:
"C Squadron of the Sherwood Rangers with elements of the 84th US Infantry Division at Geilenkirchen".

The book is well woth reading!

Regards,
Roger

It looks like either a cast hood M4A2 or an M4 to me. IIRC 33 AB had M4's during Normandy.

Thanks Roger.

Nick, there was no such thing as a 'Tarawa Sherman', rather DML labelled their M4a2 as 'M4a2 - Tarawa' the labelling might well have confused some people into believing that it was a seperate variant though...

Just a thought...