Which Sherman would be the base vehicle for the Sherman ARV? M4A2, M4A4, Sherman II, or Sherman III?

A second question I know that Ledgend makes this conversion is there anyone else?

Hi Jim
the TRVs are as follows...
Earliest used were T2s based on the M3 chassis (Lee) but the later ones were:
M32 = (M4)
M32 B1 = (M4A1 early small hatch)
M32 B2 = (M4A2)
M32 B3 = (M4A3)
M32 B4 = (M4A4 didn't enter production)
Most common in the ETO 4'4-'45 were the M32 and M32 B1... Both arrived in the summer of '44, but the original T2s were used pretty much until the end of the war also...
Don't know about the conversions sorry, but the Italeri kit of the M32 B1 is wrong in that it portrays a large hatched M4A1 instead of small...
Hope this helps
Cheers
Brad

Yes, I know about the M-31 & 32s, as specially built recovery vehicles. But, I was thinking about the British tank recovery vehicles. Basicly Shermans without their turrets, used to tow disabled AFVs. I think they had one that had a sort of a boom on the back or am I thinking about the Churchill ARV II?

Also, what was their main color? Any interesting camo schemes?

Hey Jim,
According to Arms and Arrmour's British and American Tanks of WW II, British Sherman Mk.1 ARV's were built on turretless Sherman III's and V's chassis.
Their Mk.2 ARV was built on a Sherman V with a dummy turret and gun.
They apparently also used Lend Lease M32B1's as the Sherman II ARV Mk.III.
You could use the Dragon's M4A1, Sherman III or Firefly Vc as starting points for a British ARV.
I guess Tasca's Firefly could be used also.
I'll be interested in seeing what you build.
Cheers

jjumbo

Hi Jim,

It sound like your're talking about the Sherman AVR Mk 1. Resicast do a conversion kit for either the M4A2 Mk III or the M4A4 Mk V both of which were used in this role.

You can check out the kit here:

http://www.resicast.com/



If you thinking of the Italeri kit, then if British, use the upper hull from a M4A1 Sherman Mk II with the small hatches. If your thinking American then the Italeri kit did see sevice in the Pacific, there have been many threads on that one.

If you decide to go for the M32 BI (British Style) let me know and I will send you every thing that I have gathered up so far. My one is sitting in the 'why didn't you build me last September pile' :-) :-) :-)

If it's just and AVR you need the both the Churchill and Cromwell/Centaur were used also. Accurate Armour do a combi kit for the Cromwell/Centaur and Cromwell Models have the Churchill.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Al

That is the one. Thanks AlanL. I have the Legend Cromwell/Tamiya kit and I'm thinking about going with Milicast for some of my other recovery/engineering vehicles IMA's Churchill bridging unit looks impressive, but I don't have a lot of space. Cromwells Churchill ARV is pricy, but I think the IRS refund fairy might bring that one in the spring.

Any suggestions for camo or paint for this besides OD Green? Were they used in N Africa or Italy?

Hi Jim,

re paint - OD and mud/grime lol lol. I think if it was late war you could probably go OD and black camo but I'm not sure.

In the desert the British/Commonwealth had the M32 BI and also the M3 Lee/AVR for which there is a conversion but I can't remember off hand who does it.

Here's a Polish M32 BI, N Africa/Italy.



Hope this helps a bit. There are lots of possibilities for AVRs and it's a pity more are not available in Plastic Injection. The AFV Club do the M35 Prime Mover, their is a review over on PMMS I think, and I had hoped they would follow it up with the Sherman AVR Mk I, but nothing yet.

Cheers

Al