Polish Shermans Part 1

Hussar Productions

Catalogue No. 35023
Scale 1-35
Cost 8.99 USD
Availability In release
Rating
Media Waterslide decals
Reviewed by Saul Garcia
Review Type Construction
Date Jun 21, 2003

First off, let me first say that the decals are of excellent quality with perfect registration.  They responded well to the setting solution and adhered quickly.  The colors are dense and the white is opaque.

The decals are in gray tones and are informative at times while others do let one down.  They cover markings placement for 15 vehicles.  Best of all, a reference list is included which shows that the markings are based on Polish sources.

The vehicle markings include:

M4 (105) one example
M4A1 (76) three examples
M4A2 six examples
M4A4 two examples
Sherman Vc Firefly three examples

The M4 (105) is available from Tamiya while the others, apart from the M4A2, are available from Dragon.  The M4A2 can be built with aftermarket conversions such as the one from Toro for the Tamiya M4 (75) or Formations Models rather complete conversion.

Luckily for me, I have most of the books since I do read Polish and my last trip to Poland was bountiful.  Pulling out the books and comparing the photographs to the decals showed some errors.  Nothing major but it does help the manufacturer to realize that some people will notice.

For example:

PIGMEJ (pygmy) The font is too narrow and the numbers were more angular, as if masked with tape.  She also had three lengths of T54E2 track stowed horizontally across the glacis, and a strip with two T54 links tacked to the driver’s hood.  The track skids on the bogies are not available in kit form.  It is between the early symmetrical and the later one included in kits (referred to as Type 2B in MGttS).  Fancy smooth drive sprockets (Type1B) are installed. No tracks are seen on the suspension in the photo which shows a damaged tank.

The biggest omissions are the white shadows added to the scorpion markings whenever painted on a dark background.  These were hand painted so each decal would have to be developed separately, increasing the cost.

More model specific details;

TERROR the white marking within the four target marks should not be a star but a plus (+) sign.  Solid sprockets (type 2) with T49 three bar tracks are in evidence.  The glacis plate shows weld marks where the spare track was removed.  Solid spoked wheels are used.

PIESC II (Fist II) T54E2 tracks with Type1B sprockets, and solid spoked wheels.

PAZUR (Talon) Same as PIGMEJ except the suspension has WD-212 tracks.

TUR The instructions are very good here.  The spare tracks, as well as the ones on the suspension, are T54E2.  

If you wonder why I gave four stars, very few people have the references since they are not English language books.  The only other markings available for Polish Shermans are either kit decals (too thick), Verlinden dry transfers (horrible registration), or the out of print Techmod booklets.    The errors occurred because the artist used color plates to base the artwork instead of photos.  However, the decals are most welcomed and surely make for interesting vehicles.  The fact that fifteen vehicles are covered in one sheet does much to rate them highly recommended.

My thanks to Air Connection for the sample.


Review by Saul Garcia, © Jun 21, 2003 [Track-Link Home] [Reviews Home] [Back]