early sherman question

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

the area circled on the right front {co-driver gunner area} has a casting that looks like something should be there be is not. anybody have an Idea what that is for???

2

It’s the original spot for the wireless radio antenna. The tank was designed with the radio in the co-driver’s area and that was where the antenna mount was supposed to be located. The radio was eventually moved to the turret.

3

thanks, I thought it looked like an antenna location, so this is a REALLY early model[swg]

4

Actually, even the later hulls had a patch on the hull roof near the assistant gunner’s hatch for the option of mounting a 2nd antenna. It’s just that the original M4 Medium series had the 57 degree hulls which featured the antenna pot you’ve cited and two protruding hoods where the driver and asst driver had a pericope in front of them. Later, a 47 degree hull was produced which eliminated the antenna pot and the protruding hoods which were shot traps, after all. The 47 degree hull was one flat plate. Like I said earlier, the auxilliary location for the 2nd antenna was moved to the roof near the asst driver’s hatch.

Your term “REALLY early model” is all relative.

5

yes after I posted that I read a review of the 1/35 Tamiya “early kit” and they talked about all the issues it had. Early with a rebuild I guess would be closer

6

It’s still a very good kit that doesn’t need much to build into a good model, IMHO. I like to keep a couple in the stash at all times, makes me feel good.

7

Both the M4 and M4A3 Shermans by Tamiya have a special place in my heart!

Here’s an indispensible tweaks list for the 1/35 kit (isn’t the OP pictured one the 1/48 kit?)

http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35190.html

8

the picture I posted is the 1/48

9

For the 1/48 kit:

  1. build up the welds at the bottom of the glacis applique armor. From toadman’s site:
  2. fill the seam where the lip of the pistol port meets the turret wall
  3. add sponson floors
  4. replace chunky sighting vane on right front turret corner
  5. PE?
  6. if you must, fill in the hull weld seams: they should be proud and not recessed
    (funny thing is that many of these shortcomings are in the 1/35 kit too! LOL)