Introduction

Tankograd Publishing has released another title in their Technical Manual Series, this time the book looks at the U.S. WW II M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank 75mm/105mm. These Technical Manual Series books are ideal for the modeller as there is a great mix of technical drawings that provide the details that many modellers love to add or should I say get just right, you also have a great selection of period and modern photographs covering in this case of course the U.S. WW II M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank 75mm/105mm.

Review

This Technical Manual from Tankograd Publishing consists of 48 pages bound in a card cover. The text is all in English and there is a great mix of text to images, with what would be considered traditional text being kept to a minimum but still providing a good introduction to the U.S. WW II M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank 75mm/105mm. where this publication shines is the text that accompanies every picture and drawing, the text covering each picture goes into some depth to clearly explain what you are looking at and is a great touch by Tankograd Publishing.

The technical drawings and photographs utilised in the book are of a very high standard, as are the period photographs considering they are 70 years old. In this publication there are in excess of 140 drawing, pictures and period photographs. The book is broken down into sections which are as follows;

• History, Development and Technical Description
• M4A3 (75mm Gun)
• M4A3 (105mm Howitzer)
• M4A3 in Action
• Driver’s Controls and Instruments
• Engine and Engine Compartment
• Power Train and Suspension
• Hull
• 75mm Gun and Turret
• 105mm Howitzer and Turret
• Radio Equipment
• Markings
• Deep Water Fording Equipment

One aspect of this books that I particularly like is the large number of display options that are presented, everything from crew photographs, tanks in action and even tanks that are bogged down with the crews using planks to get to and from the tank. The technical aspect of the book opens up the possibility to not only build an accurate model, but also display your model in situations such as shown having the gun replaced/removed. One other plus for the modeller is that a number of the technical drawings are in 1/35th scale and so making it possible to check some aspects of the model against the drawings.

Conclusion

This is a great and affordable publication on the U.S. WW II M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank 75mm/105mm from Tankograd Publishing. The book should appeal equally to the Shermanaholic as well as anyone tackling a Sherman tank build as a one off. For those modellers who like to add interior detail this is a very affordable offering covering the aspects which are likely to be seen in the finished model. Very highly recommended.