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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 | 1893 |
| Messages | 8727 |
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| Subject: | Re: Best All Around 1/35th Sherman? Tamiya! |  |
| Date: | Aug 10, 2003 |
| From: | Steve Youschak | |
Basically, the only Tamiya Shermie to avoid is their prehysteric 1/3x-something M4A3E8, or maybe also their inaccurate Jumbo.
The others all build fine kits OOTB. Their original and now ancient M4A3 is still a great kit, but I noticed some flash on the sprues from that kit that were also included in my Tamiya M4 Early. So, I think the old M4A3 molds are starting to show their age.
The Tam M4 Early is super, lots of extra parts for stowage, and 2 styles of wheels and tranny covers you could use.
Their "Frontline Breakthrough" M4A3 looks to be a re-tool of sorts of the original M4A3, so if you want that later M4A375W hull, get this version.. This one is also available in the M4A3/105 howitzer version too. These latter two kits include better figs and re-tooled versions of their original M4A375W turrets.
Basically, go Tamiya.
Now if cost is an issue, the Italeri Marine Shermie builds a nice M4A375W OOTB, but is typical Italeri fiddly and with the stiff Italeri trax. It is NOT an M4A2, but it IS an M4A375W. And they were used with wading gear by the USMC, so it is correct. the cammo jobs on these Shermies were some of the most colorful of the war.
Their ancient M4A1/76 is still the best and only of its type, but it is fiddly, has stiff trax, the barrel is incorrect due to a step in the shape, and the shell ejection door in the turret side looks "bad". Plus the armor has no texture, smooth as a baby's butt.
Heller just released an Italeri creation of their M4A1/76 turret with the M4A375W hull to create an M4A376.
Italeri has some other Shermies too, all basically founded on their M4A1 or M4A375W hulls. |
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