Neat – I’ve always wanted to do one of these very early-type Shermans, with the direct vision ports (on some of them anyway) and the low bustle turret and the M3 suspension. Most went to the Brits in the Western Desert, and all the pieces for that are in the kit, but the Americans used a few as well.
Of course, it’d be even better if it were just available as a styrene kit instead of an expensive AM upgrade, but at least its all in one package, a bit like a Formations offering, with the PE, the aluminum barrel and the resin hull and other parts going onto the donor kit (one of several Academy kits to choose from).
I’m picking up the Formations M4A1 resin hull/turret/detail set this weekend. I want to build an 8th Army Sherman. It will be an expensive project as I will have to find new wheels, bogies and tracks. The donor kit will be the DML M4a1 and I will only use the lower hull. It’s kind of expensive, but what else can I do? [:D]
Wheels and bogies can be had from Tiger Model Designs. (rjproducts.com has a bit of a discount on TMDs stuff, but I’m not sure they are carrying the wheel sets yet.)
Good luck. I’ve been thinking about doing something similar, but a certain Sherman lover north of the border said I needed to build on of the DMLs straight, first! (I have ordered the RPHS T48 tracks for it though!!)
Kaleu, do you mean the new direct vision set? It builds up as an American M4A1. For a British one, you may have to do further alterations, particularly the sand shields.
I have the dry stowage early M4A1 (for US in Sicily) and it is excellent! I stalled out on finishing it, but I will get back to it, probably this summer.