This is my first try on an Allied tank so i have no idea what so ever as to which kit is the best(as far as accuracy and detailing goes)so please help me out with this one!
After a bit of searching i realized that there were dozens of types and variations....(large hatch-small hatch...75mm-105mm...T23 turret...and so on!!!!!! )
I just want to build a US Sherman,in fact their most widdly used edition,served from '41 to '43.(a bit of interior detail wouldn't hurt.....)
Thanks in advance gents

There are two Shermans which would be suitable for this time period. either the M4a2 or the Sherman III. The former is the vehicle in U,S. Service, the latter (with some modifications) in British service. There isn't a huge difference between these two (VERY recent kits):

M4a2 Review

Sherman III Review

Hope these help!...

Jim left out several. For a Sherman in US Service in N. Africa, Italy, or early days of Normandy, those kits won't work (unless you change out engine decks, etc.), as the USA did not use the M4A2 in those areas. For those, you'll need either DML 6048 M4A1, or the Tamiya M4 "Early Production). Both still need some mods, especially the Tamiya one (supsension, driver hoods), but these would be the best for those areas.

Formations has JUST announced an update set that allows one to change the new DML Sherman III to an M4, so this might be better than the Tamiya one I mentioned above.

Rob

Gday Tasos
Jim is spot-on for the time frame you have in mind... They are two of the most accurate kits to date.
The M4A1(75) [the one with the rounded one piece cast hull] was in service at this time also, although it is tough finding the old Dragon kit, and it needs a few tweaks... Ok a lot!
The M4 (as well as the M4A1) was one of the most prevalent for the US army, and there is really only the Tamiya M4 on the market, which has it's own inaccuracy issues...
If cost is no object you could have a look at www.formationsmodels.com They have the M4A1 amongst others...
Interior detail is tougher, though there are definitely kits out there... I know Verlinden make the engine, Tiger has great hatch updates, and I can't think of who makes the interior, sorry!
I reckon your best bet would be an M4. Get the Dragon Sherman MkIII kit, and then the formations update I think it is $15 USD, and you will have the most accurate M4 on the market for the price... (Unless you go full resin!)
cheers
Brad

Hi Tasos

BEST would probably be the two suggested by Jim

MOST WIDELY USED in your time frame would be the M4 (Tamiya) and M4A1 (Dragon). These are less recent models with some compromises - improvments are suggested here

Tweaks

The M4A2 only saw use wih the US Marines as the US Army was dead against diesel engines. It was widely Lend Leased and virtually every other Allied nation got some, except maybe China.

I believe the interior sets are by Czech Master Kits

David

Robert, He asked for a 41-43 time frame and that is also why I avoided mentioning the M4a1 (75) Not because it doesn't 'fit-in' but because it's so damned difficult to get hold off. I also avoided conversion/update sets as i'm sure he'll get the M4 bug starting OOB

Tasos, I'm going to throw one more kit out there. Dragon's M4A1(76mm)w-Operation Cobra, kit #6083. It is not from the time frame you specified but it builds up into a very nice model of one my favorite Sherman versions. It was used from mid '44 on. Here is a link to a review of the kit here on Armorama:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1337

Cheers,
Mike

Thank you all very much guys!!
Quick and comprehensive answers as always!!!

I went over the reviews and to be honnest i'm a bit dissapointed....
Just a glimpse of the "to do/correct" list for these kits was enough for me to change my mind.!!
Let's say that we skip the period limitation and keep the rest.
Meaning-the best ,most widely used Sherman( kit)??
I guess Dragon will be the winner,but wich one?

For easiest to hardest to build:
DML M4A2 Tarawa - less PE parts, vinyl tracks
DML Sherman III - a bit of PE parts, vinyl tracks
DML M4A2(76) - good number of PE, rubber tracks
DML M4A3E8 Thunderbolt - individual tracks (easiest indiv tracks)
DML M4A1(76W)/ M4A3(76W)/ M4A1(75) - 3 piece tracks, a bit hard to assemble

It's a matter of choice. I love them all :-) :-) :-)

Jim,

Oh for sure, I understand why you listed those two. But he also asked for the most widely used version, and the A2 would hardly qualify.

In the end, I think all need tweaks of one sort of another. I'm finishing up two Shermans right now with 16 more to go, so I know how the bug bites!

Rob

If you are willing to give up on building an American Sherman, then I think it's safe to say that the Tasca Firefly is the best Sherman available.

Paul