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Modeller Build Logs
Pakistani M4A1E4 Sherman |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Jan 16, 2006 | | Updated: | Mar 15, 2006 |
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Over the last month or so, I’ve been writing reviews of a number of Formations sets for M4 Shermans. These reviews are of sets I plan to use to build a Pakistani M4A1E4 Sherman, circa 1965.
Pakistan was one of the largest post-war users of Shermans, acquiring about 547 as noted in ‘The Sherman Tank in US and Allied Service’ by Steven J. Zaloga. Pakistan fielded a number of variants but most were M4A1 and M4A3 re-manufactured tanks.
The particular variant that I’ll be modeling is an M4A1E4 with the E9 ‘double duckbill’ suspension modification. The E4 designation is one given to tanks that had the 76mm M1 gun retrofitted to the 75mm turret. This was first done during WW2 (much like the fitting of the 17 pounder by the British) but with the availability of newly manufactured 76mm Shermans, it wasn’t used very often. However, to save costs compared to changing out an entire turret, this modification was made during the post-war re-manufacturing of Shermans for sale to foreign countries, including both Pakistan and India!
The E9 modification involved moving the VVSS suspension outboard about 4 inches so an inner and outer row of extended end connectors (duckbills) could be fitted. This resulted in a track almost as wide as that used on the HVSS equipped Shermans. This modification was also developed during WW2 but was not implemented due to the availability of HVSS Shermans. Like the E4 gun modification, the E9 suspension modification was used for post-war re-manufactured Shermans to save costs compared to switching to an HVSS suspension.
The Pakistanis made extensive use of the Sherman in their wars with India (and India also had about 200 Shermans) including their 1965 war where the Shermans were used in a supporting role for the more modern M47 and M48 Pattons. They were even used in the 1971 fighting but only in small numbers (about 40).
What items am I going to use?
Of course I’m going to use the Formations items I’ve been reviewing. Here’s the list:
1. F015 M4A1 with Applique Armor for Italeri Kits
2. F055 M4/M4A1 Sherman Lower Hull
3. F045 Early High Bustle 75mm Turret
4. F039 76mm Sherman Gun Barrels
5. F053 Late Single Piece Cast Double Brake
Transmission
6. F041 Pressed Spoked Sherman Wheels w/Idlers and Spare
This covers most of what’s needed. However, there are a few more items needed to complete the project.
1. RHPS T54E1 US Metal Chevron tracks.
2. RHPS EC-2 Extended End Connectors (Duckbills), 2 sets.
3. Tiger Models TMD353023 M4 Sherman Vision Block TC's
Cupola.
4. Aber 35a34 Sherman HVSS Fenders.
5. Eduard TP028 Light Guards.
In addition, I’ll be using a number of items from the spares box such as the Italeri VVSS bogies, a Dragon muzzle brake from their M4A3(76) Sherman, and drive sprockets from a Tamiya Sherman. I plan to scratch build the E9 suspension modifications and I’ll scrounge around for the other miscellaneous pieces.
Up Next: The Lower Hull |
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| The VVSS Suspension | Feb 1, 2006 |
The VVSS suspension from Formations is a really great set. The entire housing and return roller bracket and wheel are one part. It only takes a little clean up and they’re ready to use. To that, you simply add the springs and bogies from the Italeri kit. I used the Formations stamped roadwheels as well. They too are easy enough to use. Just drill out the center and remove from the pour block. Mine had a few air bubbles where the pour block was so I used a little putty.
The bogies are mounted to the housing via a styrene rod that is inserted from the back (where the housing mounts to the hull). As a result, the bogies can rock back and forth if you wish (and I always do). What’s nice about this set up is that you don’t need to do more than insert the rod, snip it with sprue cutters, and put a drop of glue on the back. No risk of accidentally gluing the bogies in place and no need to clean up the area since it’s mounted against the hull and can’t be seen.
What I really like about the Formations VVSS set is that the typical pitfalls are not there. Most of the other sets either lack the three bolt heads on the bottom of the outer and inner housing walls, the four holes on the front of the housing (the housings were interchangeable, left and right, so these holes were for the return roller bracket when the housing was mounted on the other side), or the casting numbers. Not having to add these makes the assembly very fast. Once assembled, you then add the return skids on top. The Formations set has left and right handed skids. Really, the big difference is that you remove them from the pour block such that the cut area will end up facing in towards the hull and not be visible. Pretty smart. You always get and extra left and right skid in case you break one but I’ve used these skids on about 6 Shermans and haven’t broke one yet. Of course, if you don’t break them, then you get enough skids for 4 Shermans in 3 sets.
I realize that many of you may be reading this blog and think it sounds like an infomercial for Formations products. I make no apologies. When I decided to do this build, I purposely chose Formations products because I’d used them in the past and was impressed by how accurate they are and yet still easy to use.
I know many less experienced modelers are intimidated by aftermarket resin sets. It’s my hope that after reading this blog they will be motivated to try them. If you buy well designed sets, they are very satisfying and can really give your model a great look.
Up Next: The Fenders – Part 1
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