Correct me if I'm mistaken, but after careful review of some terrific images you guys provided, it looks to me as though the applique armor located on the left side of the Thunderbolt VIIs turret is actually upside down from how the kit instructions advise you to install it! The forward portion of the armor actually seems to be the smaller plate - which is integrated into the main chunk (Part D3/4). I noticed the foward angle was all wrong when comparing the kit to the photos. All seems good on the right side, but could these plates have actually been reversed on the left side on the actual vehicle?

What do you guys think?
Mike

Gday Mike
After reviewing a couple of archive pics I'd say that the thot plickens!
It appears as though part D3/4should be used as shown on the left, but D6/7 does look wrong... I reckon if you scratchbuilt the same smaller (joined) plate from the rear end of the left applique and used that instead, on the front but upside down so as the larger side is forms the top edge it would match a colour ref pic I have...
I'd say they had good refs of the right side and assumed it would be identical, which clearly it isn't...Something to do with the antenna mount on the left turret edge? Who knows...
Oh, and I hoid it through the grapevine that the decals aren't entirely accurate? Can't shed much more light on it than that at the moment sorry...
Best of luck
Brad

I think you're right mike , I've just snapped off the piece in question and inverted it and try to look at it at the same angle as this photo and it's a good match. Typical army to weld up all the pieces of armour the same and then just weld them on whatever way they fit

I increased the contrast in that section and you can see the angle more clearly


I think the kit decals for Thunderbolt VII are correct. Those in the BOB M4A3 for Thunderbolt are wrong.

Pat,

Regarding the decals, shouldn't the lightning bolts point forward on both Thunderbolt VI and VII? I think they might be wrong on both kits. I'm not sure if anyone has a shot of the RHS of Thunderbolt VI, but I always assumed they would face forward b/c A) it looks better and B) that's how they were on Thunderbolt V.

DML seems to screw up a lot of their Sherman decals. The "Cool Studs #4" turret markings are wrong, too, and their kits only sometimes come with bumper codes as well.

Rob

You're probably right Rob. The Thunderbolt VII insignia was almost certainly handpainted and the script on each side looks different to me. I can't make out the lightning flashes at all on the photos I have but what you suggest makes sense.

wow..now i have to do alot of rework on my tank. all the add on armours are in the wrong position and sizes..dragon's version looks alright to me..except for the over sized..side armours on the hull. before trimming them down...would it be the photoshoot were all done postwar? like they fixed everything so the tank will look good on the pictures? thanks all.

I built the Dragon Thunderbolt kit but I just had to steer clear of doing the actual Thunderbolt tank itself. I opted to make a 6th Armd Div tank as I had already added the front plate of extra armour.

I have more licence to put things where I want them or where I feel they are more correct. This way Im not railroaded into trying to emulate and produce an extact replica of the Thunderbolt.

That said it would be great to see some photos of your tank when you are done.

Des