You see it really comes down to she who must be obeyed. Can I convince her to let me get the $30 kit or the $50? She can't see the difference and after two decades of endless debate I came to see her point. I get as much out of one as I do the other. I have a shelf full of Academy M60 variants got off of people trading up the Afv-club kit. Life is a lot more tolerable after I gave up the obsession with stupor detail that verged on a nervous disorder.

I hear what you're saying, Steve! In my own case, I don't have a "Fearless Leader" around that I need to consult before opening my wallet- However, since 2010, I have to live on a limited budget, so I can empathize with you! I have to limit myself in how MANY kits that I buy, and when I do buy, I make sure that I have enough $$$ on hand to buy the "extras" that I'll require to bring my new kit up to my own standards. Otherwise, I wait. The FIRST order of business on my agenda is to wait until prices of the latest kits come down, then, and ONLY then, do I start to scavenge on ebay like some starved vulture...

i wouldn't disagree with that . I mainly build Shermans and have quite few non Asuka Shermans including Academy's M4A2 Mariens (Their spelling) which I really like so understand the issue. It is a good value kit generally and will appeal to a lot of buyers on a budget as do the Tamiya ones with all their issues. As with all things in this hobby, each to their own Al

I would guess this has many of the same parts from the M4A3 Caliope kit. The .50 cal was very nicely tooled. Box top says new tooling VVSS suspension, so maybe the issue with it sitting too high has been fixed. Gotta think positive. Price, clear instructions and ease of assembly will be big factors pushing this kit.

Academy has been putting out some decent kits lately. Their 35t is sharp and accurate. I'll bet this Sherman will be easy to build, and easy to buy!

And the real reason? To preempt a Tamiya M4A3 76mm VVSS. Between the new M10 and the M4A3E8 Tamiya has the parts. But I want Tamiya to do a M4A1E8 first with NJ National Guard markings on the boxtop! Full color 50th Armored Division insignia on the front and turret sides...yup.

Okay Steve I'll make sure that's on Mr. T's desk in the morning.

I have enjoyed building Academy's other Shermans and look forward to this one.

I've achieved a LOT of success with DRAGON's Shermans, myself. Of course, in my own case, I hardly EVER build anything "straight-out-of-the-box", anyway. I've used about every resin and PE aftermarket "jim-crack" that money can buy on my models, much to my "net worth's" detriment!!! PS- I'm not bragging- I'm just addicted to building my stuff that way...