Hello,
What can you guys tell me about the Dragon 1:35 WWII U.S M4A4 Sherman Tank with 60lb. Rockets #6041 kit?
Is it accurate? The fit? What do the decals represent ?
Thanks in advance, George
George, it’s an old school DML kit that’s more than 17 years old. The lengthened hull M4A4 was not one of their better Sherman kits from their early days. The basic kit was released in several variation, originally with Chinese Nationalist markings (Kit #6035). I have the kit you are referring to and the instructions show the original box art with the Chinese tiger face markings and an errata sheet showing the new rocket parts and markings.
The kit comes with markings for the 1st Coldstream Guards of the British Army. This is the unit that added the rockets when they crossed the Rhine River in 1945. I found first mention of this specific kit in 1995 when someone asked if it was a rebox of the earlier #6035 M4A4.
Going off memory regarding kit accuracy, I remember hearing about an issue with the suspension. Since many of DML’s original Sherman kits were based off of and included original Italeri Sherman parts, this kit included the upswept suspension arms from the Italeri Sherman series. It should have had the earlier style horizontal suspension arms. I do know that DML changed this in subsequent boxings, but do not know how to tell without looking inside the box.
Thanks Rob for your reply. Does this kit come with Chinese markings as well as the British markings?I have several of Cyber Hobby kits # 9102 M4a4 75mm Kits I got at a really good price and need some decals for one of them and was thinking I could use the Chinese markings on the one. Have you put the kit together? I have a small collection of the Sherman tanks put do not have any with the rockets. Is it worth $25.00 or should I wait until maybe a more accurate kit comes out or buy an after market rocket kit ?
Thank you , George
No, the kit only comes with Coldstream Guards decals. The rocket parts consist of two identical “G” sprues with 16 parts on each. Two of the parts are for the rear radio radio bin that you add to the rear of the turret so you end up with an extra British style radio bin.
Parts G8, G9, G10, G11, G12, G13 are side specific (you use 8-10 on one side and 11-13 on the other) so you end up with an extra part G8-G13. Parts G1-G7 and G14 (all times 2) make up the meat of the conversion which are the launch rails and the rocket.
Is the kit worth $25? Probably. You could also look to see if someone had the kit but built it as a standard gun tank and has the rocket pieces leftover. I do not know of an AM conversion, but then again, I do not know much about non-US tank Shermans.