DML have announced the release of another Sherman to add to their growing stable of variants. This time, it's the M4A3(75)W

The M4A3(75)W was produced by the Fisher Tank Arsenal and the Detroit Tank Arsenal, with the first tank being accepted in February 1944. A total of 3,071 such tanks were accepted by the US Army.

This version of the tank was an attempt by the US manufacturers to rectify the Sherman's distressing ability to catch fire when hit, which earned it the nicknames of "Tommy Cooker" by the Germans and "Ronson (lights first time, every time)" by the men who had to use it.

Most Sherman fires were ammunition fires rather than fuel fires, and in the M4A3(75)W, 100 rounds of 75mm ammunition were stored under the turret floor, protected by 37.1 gallons (140 litres) of water. The ready use rounds stored in the turret were protected by an additional gallon (3.7 litres) of water.

Dragon has used a lot of their previous moulds from other Sherman versions in production of this kit (more bits for the spares box!), but there is some new tooling as well, including the upper hull.

The following features are included:

Delicately detailed M4A3 is newly produced
- Authentic spare barrel mount newly presented
- Newly produced accurate hull w/details
- Newly produced hatches on composite hull can be assembled open/closed
- Optional anti-aircraft MG w/pedestal mount on turret roof
- Separate pistol port can be assembled open/closed
- Detailed turret produced
- Loader’s hatch and periscope covers can be assembled open/closed
- Commander’s hatch with periscope assembly
- Cupola is molded in detail
- Gun travel lock can be modeled in travel or combat modes
- Air intake with multi-layer details
- Racks for spare-track links reproduced
- Authentic engine cover support blocks
- APU exhaust pipe
- Accurate gun shield with fine bolt details
- Rotor shield reproduced in accordance with Army shematics
- Two types of sprockets available
- On-vehicle tools delicately recreated
- Intricate one-piece DS T54E1 w/EEC tracks

Certainly one to look forward to of a tank which saw so much service in the ETO.