Joss Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 2 hours ago, Threadbear said: That looks like a M4A3 105mm Howitzer HVSS. DML/Dragon make a kit of that vehicle in 1/35th scale. It was a pretty rare variant in WW2 but was seen in very late stages of the second world war mainly in South Germany and Czechslovakia. It was a close support vehicle rather than a tank and was frequently seen towing a M10 ammuntion trailer. Here is a review and an article about modelling the late model M4A3 but not with the most recent DML kit. http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/DML/dml6354.html http://panzerserra.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/m4a3e8-sherman-thunderbolt105mm-and.html Thanks threadbear!! That alot of help I'll give it a read (: and I'll have a browse at the dml kit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 No problems. Glad I could be of help. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Probably grabbing at straws here, but were any of the M4 (105)'s built on HVSS hulls? It's difficult to determine from front views. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 4 hours ago, Bullbasket said: Probably grabbing at straws here, but were any of the M4 (105)'s built on HVSS hulls? It's difficult to determine from front views. John. John. I`m not sure. I would have to check my "bible" at home. The plan within the US Army was to standardise on the M4A3 hull with the Ford GAA engine. The M4A3 had a different engine deck and back plate to the M4 with the Wright radial engine. It is difficult to work out variants from front shots. Sometimes it is a case of working it out from theatre, date of photo and operator. I dont recall seeing a M4(105mm) HVSS but that doesnt mean it didnt happen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Had a look on the net John, I think these may shed a bit of light on your question? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 Yes theres one in my adopted hometown at the War memorial. Its in a small little wisconsin town called Tomahawk. There might be photo’s of it online but mine are buried somewhere and would take time to find them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 4 hours ago, Threadbear said: It is difficult to work out variants from front shots. Yes, my thoughts too. From the front, difficult to tell whether it's M4, A2 or A3. But if those photos that Ozzy has posted are M4's, then it makes it difficult to answer Joss's question definitively. Looking at them though, One may probably be post war, judging by the tracks. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joss Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 (edited) I've opened a can of worms haven't I I've got these two photos if they are any help Joss Edited October 21, 2017 by Joss 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Ah, that nail's it. It's an M4(105). John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joss Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 2 hours ago, Bullbasket said: Ah, that nail's it. It's an M4(105). John. Thanks John! If I may ask what sets it apart from the others? Regards Joss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Hmmm Seems Bullbasket and i may be going for an M4(105) him with an HVSS & me with an VVSS version. Unless i work the nerve up to do the cast hull conversion for an M3 Lee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 1 hour ago, Joss said: Thanks John! If I may ask what sets it apart from the others? Regards Joss If you look in the centre of the photo, just behind the armoured filler, you can see the armoured cover for the engine intake, only present on radial engined M4's and M4A1's. I don't think there is a kit of that model, but you could use the excellent Dragon M4(105) and change the suspension for HVSS. HTH's. John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joss Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 1 hour ago, Bullbasket said: If you look in the centre of the photo, just behind the armoured filler, you can see the armoured cover for the engine intake, only present on radial engined M4's and M4A1's. I don't think there is a kit of that model, but you could use the excellent Dragon M4(105) and change the suspension for HVSS. HTH's. John. Ahhh thank you very much! There's alot I don't know about Sherman so this knowledge is very useful thanks Joss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonhoff Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Well, Have picked up a Sherman for this GB - a 1/72nd UM Sherman Firefly... Stop chuckling at the back - I blame my mate Ed who, briefed at the start of the Southwell Show to find something suitably Shermany and in either 72 or 76, tripped over this kit on one of the stands. Quite a intimidating array of parts for only a couple of quid more than an Airfix M4 and following a couple of less than favourable reviews found online it doesn't appear to be as good as the Dragon Sherman. Still, it's a Sherman and I'll see what happens when it comes to the build. IanJ 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Yes that's a M4(105mm) HVSS. In the Dragon kit there are normally mix and match sprues so there might be the parts for a M4 engine deck and back as they are different from a M4A3. I would go with the M4A3 105 kit and change engine deck rather that change suspension. Easier. I have to to say that a M4 (105mm) HVSS is very rare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 On 21/10/2017 at 9:24 PM, Joss said: I've opened a can of worms haven't I I've got these two photos if they are any help Joss All M4 Sherman's can be a can of worms! Ideal for the anally retentive amongst us! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 17 hours ago, Joss said: Ahhh thank you very much! There's alot I don't know about Sherman so this knowledge is very useful thanks Joss Take a look at this site http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/manufacturer/m4_105mm/m4_105mm.html It'll answer a lot of questions about the 105 equipped Shermans. As Threadbear says, it would be easier to go down the route of building the Dragon M4A3 (105) and changing the engine deck for a radial engined one. Bear in mind though, it would need an extra armoured filler on the left side of the deck. John. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 19 hours ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said: Hmmm Seems Bullbasket and i may be going for an M4(105) him with an HVSS & me with an VVSS version. Unless i work the nerve up to do the cast hull conversion for an M3 Lee. Crossed wires Uncle. It's Joss who maybe going for the howitzer Sherman. I'm doing a Chilean M60. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 my mistake 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifer54 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Well, I'm usually an aeroplane builder, but there is one target tank kit in my stash. It's Italeri's 1/72 M4A1 cast hull Sherman, so count me in! I may build another if I find something suitable at Telford, probably a M3 of some description? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Need an opinion on aftermarket tracks. There was an old post on another forum stating Bronco's T74 tracks were wrong and were really just T54E2 style, also known as 'cuff design' - which is the type I'm after. That being said, is the plastic the same in the two different boxings pictured below? regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Jack, i had a go with the bronco set and gave up after half a run, the picture shows what you get and how to build them these on the other hand I have no complaints about these, panda tracks are much simpler. For some reason the photos are the wrong way around. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plasto Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Your images are juxtaposed.... I agree on the pandas easy to build. I also tried Kaizen and they are also incredibly fiddly... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Thanks Ozzy and Plasto for responding. Which online vendor(s) do you guys use for Panada track sets? Are they fully workable, or only until the glue dries? I can't tell if the end connectors are snap fit or glued in place. The parts breakdown certainly is easier put together Thing is the style I'm looking for Panda does not make. Their T62 are close, but I'd have to shave three rivet heads off each pad - well only those that are visible. ------------------------------------------- Back to Bronco, I do have the cuff set AB3547 for another project , but find the raised cuff detail is underweight, and Panda's look more proper compared to period photos. regards, Jack 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 2 minutes ago, JackG said: Thanks Ozzy and Plasto for responding. Which online vendor(s) do you guys use for Panada track sets? Are they fully workable, or only until the glue dries? I can't tell if the end connectors are snap fit or glued in place. The parts breakdown certainly is easier put together Thing is the style I'm looking for Panda does not make. Their T62 are close, but I'd have to shave three rivet heads off each pad - well only those that are visible. ------------------------------------------- Back to Bronco, I do have the cuff set AB3547 for another project , but find the raised cuff detail is underweight, and Panda's look more proper compared to period photos. regards, Jack No worries Jack, i brought a couple of sets about 8 years ago off the net, I know they came from USA that's as close as I can get to a vendor. As for workability mainly you can push fit there is the odd link that needs a dab of glue, I tend to get them in place then dab some glue around just to stop anything falling off in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now