At my wife’s insistence I have decided to build an American WWII tank - too many German subjects for here taste I suppose. I like the unusual so right away I knew Shermans were out. Except maybe with that cool Verlinden mine roller or the snorkels or a Calliope…but I digress.
I settled on a Pershing for two reasons: ) It’s an unusual subject because it arrived late in WWII and 2) it is featured prominently in the PC Game, “Company of Heroes” I play from time to time.
I have the old Dragon T26E3 version in my stash raring to go but I read recently that Tamiya’s version has better details like cast numbers and an open exhaust. And just today I read a review of the HobbyBoss M26 version that stated it was superior to both Dragon’s and Tamiya’s kits. And of course HobbyBoss produces what, three versions of thing?
Here are my questions: 1) Which is the better kit? 2) Of the available kits, which is a WWII Pershing?
I would go with the Hobby Boss ones. DML’s and Tamiya’s are both Korean war versions. They are both nice and have good and bad points. I heven’t seen the HB kit in person, but they do look good and get great reviews. HB has a couple early ones, including the original M26 and the Super Pershing pilot tanks tested in Europe in late WWII with their uparmor and larger gun.
Dragon/Cyber-Hobby = T26E3 - older kit but is the best representation of the T26E3
Tamiya = M26 - better but more complicated and can be build as either a T26E3 or M26 version
HobbyBoss = M26 - best kit but may be a Korean version with WWII markings.
I’ve been reading up on the history of the early Pershing and understand it was originally designated the T26E3 and later M26. Were both designations used in late WWII or was the name changed after the war? What were the significant differences between the two.
I’m thinking about recreating the illustration on the back of the Squadron publication showing a Pershing guarding a bridge.
T26E3 was the experimental or test designation of the tank. Once it was accepted as a production vehicle by the Army, it was changed to M26. Any vehicle w/a T designation is a Test (T) vehicle prior to acceptance by the military.
Yes correct, the one you have is STILL a Korean war version. DML took their original Pershing kit, and just spruced it up and added some refined parts for the CyberHobby release.
What are the differences between the WWII and Korean versions? I have been contemplating the HB kit, but opposite of Tom wanting to do a WWII Pershing, I would like to do a Korean one.
IIRC the difference is the Korean War Pershing has the field telephone at the back of the tank and the WWII version doesn’t (I built the korean War Version Tamiya Pershing as one of my very first builds). It looks ‘not great’ compared to my recent work now I’ve learnt a bit but seeing as I did paint her with humbrol Enamels and brushes she turned out well!
I really liked the moveable suspension on the Tamiya kit. I’ve now stuck a piece of lead inside the lower hull so the tank would ‘squat’ as it sat quite high.
I haven’t seen the other offerings but the Tamiya version is very good and one I’d like another crack at now I have knowledge and an AB!
Here’my attempt - remember this was built when I was a total newbie and had no AB and didn’t know much about washes!
Imo a great kit and VERY easy to build. I’d imagine the Dragon offering would be more detailed but this is a very accurate and cheap kit - do you need a Dragon Pershing?
The difference between a Korean War and a WWII M26 are minor.
Here is the WWII version without the radio/telephone box and older tracks.
For the Korean version, add turnbuckels to the fenders at all 4 corners, add the radio/telephone box on the right rear, and use T80E1 steel block or T84E1 rubber block tracks (both available from AFV Club).
The below pics of M26A1s in Korea show these features well.
Some simply removed the front fenders to remedy the problem of them drooping as opposed to using the turnbuckles.
A rare color photo. How many Marines can you fit on an M26A1 Pershing???
