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1/35 M4A2 76mm "Wet" Sherman


Nigel Heath

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This is going to my entrant for this GB:

 

P1150536_zpsv7ehbzsd.jpg

 

I picked this up at Telford, I was drawn to it as I have a bit of a Russian theme running through my models. I bought it without researching it's history and was slightly disappointed to find it was first tooled by Italeri back in 1977. It has subsequently been re-boxed by Revell, TOMY, Testors, Heller, Tamiya and even Matchbox so it's had quite a history. This re-boxing is from 2009. 

 

The kit consists of four khaki runner frames:

 

P1150537_zps3cyum6vs.jpg

 

Funny, the box states "Figure not included" but what do we have here?

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150538_zpsb61hv5ce.jpg

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150540_zpsr4px92m9.jpg

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150541_zpskv6jdn5n.jpg

 

Those vinyl tracks are easily the worst feature of the kit and need to be replaced. I think there are several aftermarket options and would be keen to receive any advice on the best option.

 

Despite it's age the surface detail is actually pretty good:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150539_zpsknrg6b20.jpg

 

I was also impressed by the crispness and lack of flash such as on this grill detail:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150543_zpswjnnafc3.jpg

 

Monotone decal sheet:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150544_zpsmvik8n5e.jpg

 

The kit offers four scheme options with frankly not much to choose between them:

 

http://i1285.photobucket.com/albums/a597/nheath100/1-35 M4A2 Sherman/P1150545_zpsz8w7glio.jpg

 

I might go for the one in the top left hand corner.

 

I'm not sure how much progress there will be on this, at least initially, as I would like to finish my He-280 V2 before starting.

 

Bye for now,

 

Nigel

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Nigel,

 

I suspect I'll regret asking this, but what is a "wet" Sherman?

 

I'm thinking you'll be scratch building a bar inside it, but no doubt you'll have a far more logical answer!

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Nigel,

 

Lets talk tracks for a minute then  , if you can go for the Tasca/ Asuka tracks, they are the best out there for any Sherman, the vinyl tracks are every bit as good as any metal individual link set, and if you really want a challenge then grab a set of the Tasca/ modelkasten individual link  plastic tracks ;) more than enough parts to satisfy any sadistic plastic basher. You also get a set of amazing running gear parts with adapters for all the main stream kit manufacturers. 

 

http://tasca-shop.ocnk.net/product-list/15

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHERMAN-T54E1-REPLACEMENT-WORKING-TRACK/dp/B001OC74DY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1514670232&sr=8-2&keywords=modelkasten

 

HTH

 

Dan 

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@Whofan ... “Wet sherman” refers to the ammo stowage in the sponsons above the tracks. The early shermans were dry and more prone to brewing up (catching fire) after taking a hit in the ammo stowage. Later marks of shermans had wet stowage to help prevent that. 

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1 minute ago, Corsairfoxfouruncle said:

@Whofan ... “Wet sherman” refers to the ammo stowage in the sponsons above the tracks. The early shermans were dry and more prone to brewing up (catching fire) after taking a hit in the ammo stowage. Later marks of shermans had wet stowage to help prevent that. 

Aha, the shells were in water?

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This kit is the only other sherman in my stash, a lot of the detail is molded on compared to the calliope kit I'm building, but as you point out its still a decent kit, i think you can also build the petrol version with an alternative engine deck in the kit, i look forward to the build up

Glynn 

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1 hour ago, Whofan said:

Nigel,

 

I suspect I'll regret asking this, but what is a "wet" Sherman?

 

I'm thinking you'll be scratch building a bar inside it, but no doubt you'll have a far more logical answer!

A bit more detail on the Wet description, not my words so credit to the tinternet for this 

 

A solution to the problem was found to be the wet ammo rack, where a normal rack was surrounded with a pressurized bladder filled with a mixture of water and ethylene-glycol. the glycol prevented the water from freezing since the water has to be liquid for this to work.  if the rack is penetrated (so also the bladder)  the thick liquid would spray over the ammo and would suppress the fire for a few seconds at least.  thus giving the crew more time to escape.  

 

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/manufacturer/m4a375w/m4a3_75w.html

 

HTH

 

Dan 

 


 

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I'll hold my hand up too nigel, i didn't know what it meant, but i expect we'll be semi experten by the time this gb ends, I've already learnt about wheels and cupolas for the m4:huh:

Glynn 

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Only just noticed this is an M4A2 (I had thought it was an M4A3).....This does present you with the (dubious) option of building it as 'Fury' from the movie (the tank used in the film was a M4A2(76)W HVSS pretending to be the much more common M4A3E8 'Easy-Eight').

 

Personally though I'd look east.....The Soviets used loads & loads of these fellas from about the time of Operation Bagration, right up to the fall in Berlin:

 

sherman_14Berlin  Soviet76mmSherman

 

m4a2(76)vienna1945.jpg

 

M4_Sherman_tanks_Germany_1945.jpg

 

They kept some truly badass company too:

 

M4A2_76_W_IS-2_2nd_guards_tank_army.jpg

 

Notice that the IS-2 with its monstrous 122mm gun and massive frontal armour is actually lower (with a smaller frontal profile) than the M4A2(76)W.....The Soviets knew a thing or two about tank design!  B)

 

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The M4A2 (76mm) Sherman was mainly supplied to the Soviets as their main tanks were the T-34 and JS series, both of which were diesel powered, hence the M4A2 being supplied as this had twin GM diesels. 

 

Looking through your sprues, it appears whilst Italeri supply a A2 engine deck, there doesnt appear to be a backplate and exhaust system for this variant..... Infact there isnt even the exhausts for the A3 which this kit is based on......

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@Threadbear is right Nige, those dopey eyeties have indeed completely neglected to include the exhaust system.....Fortunately it's at all not difficult to scratchbuild:

 

01s-1.jpg

 

I've done it in 1/76 for 'Cecilia' so it will be a doddle for you in 1/35.....No doubt you will mill it from raw unobtanium or some such!  :D

 

Bit more detail visible here:

 

DSC0020.jpg

 

IMG_3351_zps5812fe31.jpg

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, fatfingers said:

Aye up Nigel.

 

If you need an exhaust give me a shout as i've got a scrap A2 that i can nab them off B)

 

Regards.

 

Steve

Spoil sport i was looking forward to seeing it scratch built, at least delay the postage :P

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Yesterday I made a start on this, first cleaning the mould seams from the rubber tyred wheels. Here the first 11 have been done with just the one on the left still to do. The wheel in the middle of the front row had worse sink marks that the rest but was not worth trying to remedy. The one on  the right had this odd flaw on the rim as indicated which was later treated with some filler:

 

P1150558_zpsxom6w3iv.jpg

 

I didn't like the look of these metal spring things which support part of the upper run of the tracks. Obviously they have a joint line and ugly draft angles all over the place: 

 

P1150560_zpsvqrdmwbd.jpg

 

P1150561_zpsk9pbfpes.jpg

 

I decided that the best course of action was to cut them off and replace with some brass strip. I estimate that in reality they would be about 8 to 10mm in thickness so I dug out some 0.26mm sheet (ideal), cut out a rectangle (23 x 5.5mm) and started to bend the end using a 3mm piece of plastic rod as a former:

 

P1150562_zpsa6vewsen.jpg

 

After a but more bending and manipulation I had my first acceptable replacement:

 

P1150563_zpsubj2izts.jpg

 

Here are what the real things should look like, note there should be four bolts holding each one in place:

 

m4com_06_of_13.jpg

 

I'll have to order some 1/35 bolt heads then.

 

Then I razor sawed off the plastic parts and cleaned up the stumps. Removing them also gave much better access to deal with this nasty ejector pin mark on the left piece:

 

P1150564_zpsteyxskav.jpg

 

For a change of pace I continued to clean up the running gear parts. These parts for the front sprockets had massive gates:

 

P1150565_zpsprry3d1y.jpg

 

They were dealt with using a razor saw, cutting well away from the parts:

 

P1150566_zpsclicbstp.jpg

 

Having cleaned up all the parts for the front sprockets I got them assembled:

 

P1150567_zpstuuqopcj.jpg

 

This is the style of sprocket I selected as it appears to be matched with the style of rubber tyred wheels as in this example (there seam to be at least two or three other designs):

 

m4com_07_of_13.jpg

 

I them cleaned up most of the remaining parts for the running gear and when I got fed up with that, made another spring track support using the first one as a marked up master:

 

P1150568_zpsbrsknuim.jpg

 

Four more to go.

 

Bye for now,

 

Nigel

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For a 'wingy-thing' builder you've dived into those bogeys with remarkable aplomb Nige.....Another small detail you might like to add is the four bolt holes in the front face of the bogey (you'll find loads of images in the other threads here).  :nerd:

 

Here's a handy reference page for all things bogey:  http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/suspension/vvss_suspension.html

 

 

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