Maybe this is a dumb question, but here goes. I am beginning to build a Dragon 1:35 M4A3E8 Sherman and the upper hull just to the front and side of the turret is a big (maybe 3/16th) copyright symbol followed by a couple of rows of numbers and letter. I am assuming this is for the model and not found on actual Shermans. I only ask because the detailed drawings in the instructions show the copyright symbol and it is in an obvious location. Why would they place it there when it could just have easily placed in on the inside of the hull and then take the extra step of adding it to the drawings in the instructions. Then I got to thinking, what if it is supposed to be there. Anyway, is it just bad judgement on Dragon’s part or did Shermans have markings like this molded into the hull? I think I know the answer, but I’d hate to spend a lot of time shaving and sanding it off if it really belongs there.
By the way, I will try and remember to take pics as I go. This is a pretty neat looking build.
DML certainly isn’t immune from mistakes on their Shermans. On the M4A3E8, make sure you eliminate the oval plates on the engine deck corners. Also fill in the two vertical gaps above the rear fender. On the VVS version, they totally flubbed up the spare track holders. Also dependent on which M4A3E8 kit you have, they omitted the gun trunnions on some models.
Many models have ‘makers mark’ and/ or copyright symbols moulded ont their mouldings, but they are usually in a less conspicuous place, such as beneath, or inside, the hull. An exception to this was Monogram, who often moulded these on the outside of one of the kit’s parts, usually an aileron or elevator. Easy enough to sand off, but makes you wonder why they did this.
However, today, lots of top-end armoured vehicle kits now have casting marks and numbers moulded into relevant parts. The Dragon 1/72 M4A2 that I’m building at the moment even has them on the road-wheel bogies!
Some years ago, Dragon tried to approach this by moulding individual letters and numbers on the sprues of some of thier kits. You were supposed to shave these numbers off, and cement them, individually, to the relevant parts. [%-)]
doh, I was wondering about this too on the M4A3 105mm dragon hit (think it has the same hull). I looked kinda half heartily at some pictures and didn’t see the serials on em and decided to scrape it all off–except for the big C. The instructions had the C in the painting and stepbystep but not the rest of the numbers.
I started my kit to pass the time from being sick and too bored of sleeping… I put it on hold cause I made other mistakes, and I guess I have to add this to the list
Honestly, whether they are supposed to be there or not, the markings look like a manufacturers copyright. To a Sherman expert they look to be accurate, but to most laymen they would look out of place. I still might shave mine off, because they look funny, accurate or not, and are distracting. I want people to see the whole tank, not focus on the funny letters.
As for the other inaccuracies, I am not that much of a stickler. I would guess the other stuff is a result of using the same hull for many kits. I now my kit has many large significant part that aren’t to be used. Surely a manufacturing short cut to save time and money. On the other hand, I will have lots of spare parts for future builds.
Whatever floats your boat. The fact is that practically every cast piece of metal had number or foundry marks placed onto them – as cataloguing and inventory features.
Archer is making a pretty penny by allowing modellers the ability to PUT THEM ON
I find 1/35 AFVs to be full of crude features such as out jutting parts, foundry markings, weld marks, etc. To me, they fill out the fullness of what tanks look like. Unlike aircraft where the viewers’ eye immediately goes to the form and shape of the airframe, I find tanks’ heart to be the utilitarian nature of the fittings. When I see casting marks, they confirm to me the nature of these fighting machines, not decrease their attractiveness nor “distracting”. It’s not a “copyright” symbol either. It is the emblem of the foundry that cast the part. There were many types of markings.
Yeah, I agree about the marking on tanks–which is part of the reason, why even though I design fighters for a living, I’ve recently added more tanks to my stash than planes. I’ll be more careful down the line when I feel I’m comfortable enough on the basics to really nitpick about the details. Because, right now if I bothered with all the crazy stuff I’d just disappoint myself when I ruin it with bad glueing or painting or sanding. (which is not being pessimistic, just knowing my own noobish limitations :P)
Good points, though it does LOOK like a copyright[;)] Anyway, you are right and I am building for myself. I will leave them on. They are accurate and who gives a darn about what others who might mistake them for a copyright think? And honestly, it saves me some work.
