Another Tamiya Oldie: M4A3E2 Sherman

Modeling Subjects Armor
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Here’s another Tamiya fun build, the much maligned M4A3E2 Sherman “Jumbo.” When I built the model, I had no idea that the turret sides should have been vertical, but as they say ignorance is bliss! A friend loaned me the Squadron “M4 Walkaround” book (another much maligned product), which helped me add some small details.

I base coated the model with TMM Flat Black, then misted on light coats of Olive Drab, progressively lightening the base color with Panzer Gelb. I think I left too much black showing, as the finished model looks kind of “crispy.”

Sheman Jumbo-1

Sherman Jumbo-2

Sherman Jumbo-5

I replaced the .50 cal with an Academy one. The commander’s sighting vane and .50 cal barrel clamp came from a DML Firefly. The little spotlight lens was a Grief item.

Sherman Jumbo-6

I had a lot of fun making the pull ring and retaining barb for the gun crutch. The periscope guards were made from copper wire.

Sherman Jumbo-8

The tool handles were painted with TMM Radome Tan, then the wood grain was drawn in with a brown color pencil. A brush over of Tamiya Clear Orange followed by Testors Dullcote finished them off. The metal portions of the tools were painted Flat Black then rubbed with pencil graphite.

Sherman Jumbo-7

The kit’s “rubber band” tracks looked fine to my eyes, so I used them. The duckbill end connectors are well molded and look really cool! I ground up light and dark brown pastels, mixed them with Tamiya Acrylic Thinner, then swabbed them liberally over the tracks. After they had time to dry, a toothbrush was used to roughly scrub off the excess. Hmmm, the pastels on the tracks seem to be flaking off…

And that’s it! Tasca has recently released a much more accurate kit, with DML to follow I believe. However, I had a blast building Tamiya’s kit, and was fortunate to have not learned about the turret’s “fatal flaw” until after the model was completed. (Yes, fortunate. I don’t go back to fix stuff like that on my finished models.) I don’t usually build US WW II armor, the fault lies with a buddy who got me an Academy Stuart. I had such a good time building it that I immediately went out and got the Sherman. Darn you Val-Sama!

Comments and critiques as always are welcomed.

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Came out great to my eyes. I don’t see the issue you point out with the black paint but I may be missing it.[Y]

3

An overall excellant job.I particularly like the tracks and tools.

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Thanks for posting. It’s great to see those older kits built up with so much care and affection. It shows. May I make one suggestion? The lens in the cylinder of the turret mounted spot lamp – should be recessed another 1-2mm. The ribbed cylinder was only a sheet metal sheath to direct the spotlamp beam.

5

Very nice. I really admire the subtle finish to it. The detailing is supurb.

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“G” , you Sherm looks great! Don’t fret about the paint looking crisp… it looks good.

I really like how you did the wood / tool portions, very nice.

All round, and excellent job.

Mostly, thanks for sharing!

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Roy,

Thanks for the heads up. I didn’t know about the spotlight sheath.

But now I know.

And knowing is half the battle.

(The other half is knowing what you are doing before committing to glue!)

Cobra

G.I. Joe! COBRA!!!

8

Roy knows his Shermans!

Excellent work on the Jumbo Sherman, the flat black base coat was a good idea as it adds realism and depth.

I prefer to see scuffs, chips, some rust and everything else that tanks acquire along the way. Referance photographs always show Shermans loaded to the 9 with extra stowage & gear.

All good as the tank was new at one time, they all do not have to look like refuges retreating with all they can carry.

Tanks for posting!

Jason

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I thought the ‘old’ Tamiya Sherman was a different kit though.

I had occasion to build what I myself thought was the original old Tamiya Sherman (think it was trying to be the M4A3E8 though), and it was not the same in some areas. Think the gun was different.

I am unsure as I have not had the kit around for several years, and doubt anyone could build THAT kit well enough that anyone would care :slight_smile: It was so full of accuracy errors it was painful.

Your kit though does look good on it’s own merits.

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HisNHer Tanks in Armor - You might be thinking about the ancient M4A3E8 that came out way back when. I am not sure when the kit I built was originally issued, but it probably came out in the 1980s. I seem to recall the “regular” Sherman appearing in a Tamiya brochure around 1987 or so.

Jason - Yeah, I’m kind of “weather-shy” and tend not to put extras on my armor. I have seen photos of the real things covered with so much stuff that it was difficult to make out the vehicle. Kind of mind-boggling how the crews managed to lash on so much stuff. But the real reason I don’t add stowage is because… I am lazy. There, I said it! But, a personal mission of mine is to try one new thing on each model I build, so I think added stowage will be added to the list.

And thanks to the rest of the guys for the positive comments!

Now if you will please excuse me, I have to go back to the Gundam GB! (Yeah, I’m actually a sci-fi modeller sneaking into the amor forum! [proplr])

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I have one of those “ancient” Tamiya Shermans in the 25+ year old stash. Plan on building it sometime soon.

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Thumbs UpAside from the aforementioned details …

I think you’ve captured the “LOOK” pretty effectively.

!http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/gluetank/Animated/th_1-Animated-Disastermaster.gif?t=1296616998

13

It does look good, nice to see the kit built in all its glory.

The Jumbo kit came out probably around 1988-89. I remember two “Jumbos” hitting the shelves in Germany when I was stationed there; this Tamiya kit and the cheaper Italeri M4A2 ‘Jumbo’, which wasn’t a Jumbo (but I didn’t know it at the time). I chose the Italeri kit because it had the 76mm gun.

I remember passing off the kit to a boy from Wisconsin that was my penpal and buying the Tamiya kit in the end. I still keep in touch with the man. I bought the AEF Designs 76mm Jumbo turret to get the version I wanted.

14

Excellent job on an old kit.