|
|
Forums - Modelling / Construction |
The construction forum is for the discussion of techniques on the construction phase of AFV modelling and the tools and materials used. |
| Topics | 1858 |
| Messages | 8590 |
|
|
| Subject: | Re: M4A1 75mm & M4A3 76mm (W) - The Verlinden Way Volume II |  |
| Date: | Jul 2, 2003 |
| From: | Chuck Rothman | |
"Eric Geneau" wrote in message
news:3f0209f6@news.track-link.net...
> I would like to know, from the Sherman specialists, if it is accurate to
use the turret of the M4A3 75mm, either from the old Tamiya or Italeri M4
USMC kits, to transform the Italeri M4A1 76mm into a M4A1 75mm.
If you're talking about a standard, early or mid-production M4A1 with the
small hatches, then the differences are much more than the turret. The M4A1
depicted in the italeri kit is a late model, with wide hatches (the casting
of the main hull was changed to incorporate wider hatches) and later style
suspension. The cut-out at the center of the rear overhang was also reduced
in the revised casting to provide more protection to the air cleaners. It
would be far simpler to get an after-market early M4A1 hull and turret than
it would to try and modify teh Italeri hull.
Having said all that, there were some M4A1(76)w vehicles fitted with the
late 75mm turret. These were used as DD tanks (amphibious tanks), I believe
in the southern France invasion in August, 1944, and in the Rhine crossing.
The 75 mm turrets were used because the 76mm gun was too long for the DD
skirt. There are a couple of pictures of these vehicles in Concord's D-Day
Tank Battles and Sherman at War volume 1.
> Should I left the gunner/loader hatch or it is better to remove/fill/sand
it to leave only the commander hatch.
If you're going to model one of the re-fitted M4A1(76)w tanks, then the
later 75 mm turret (with the high bustle and loader's hatch) is the correct
one to use.
> I would also like to know if I can build an accurate M4A3 76mm with the
M4A3 hull, and M4A1 turret, both from Italeri.
Yes, except that the step in the 76mm gum barrel should be removed - the
real thing didn't have that.
Chuck |
| |
|
|
|
