Easy 8 Sherman

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hello,

Who makes a good easy 8 Sherman kit? I was looking at tamiya and dragon.

Thanks,

Matt

2

Probably the best in 1/35th are the Asuka/Tasca kits. They’re the Cadillac of Shermans and like a Caddy they’re expensive.

The Dragon kit is pretty darn good though. No experence with the new Tamiya Easy-Eight.

3

The new tooled Tamiya is supposed to be top of the line,priced right and excellent reviews.The Tasca/Asuka are supposed to be very good,although more detailed and complex.

4

I can’t argue with that Tojo. The Asuka Korean War M4A3E8 I have comes with a set of T80 tracks. They consist of rubber band type tracks but with the rubber pads and guide teeth molded as separate parts on a sprue. According to the Missing Lynx review I’m looking at now that’s 192 guide teeth and 384 pads that need to be cut out, cleaned up, and attached… [:XX]

Thankfully beyond that the kit seems pretty straight forward.

The only Tamiya kit I’ve built of an Easy Eight was the ancient one that’s closer to 1/32nd than 1/35th. I don’t think it’s been made in decades.

5

Thanks guys! I’ll probably end up with the tamiya only because it’s my first Sherman. It’s kit #35346?

Thank you,

Matt

6

Yes, that is Tamiya’s new M4A3E8. Be advised though, that Tamiya also has an M4A3E8 (25175) that is the reboxed Tasca kit which includes the figures from their M4A3 kit. That is an awesome model, but more difficult to build than a traditional Tamiya kit.

7

Thank you! Won’t arrive for a bit, but I’ll post pictures once completed.

8

It’s a great kit but Tamiya erred when it included the engine crank (part K41). Omit that – the crank was only for radial engined M4s. the M4A3 had a Ford GAA engine.

9

Thanks for all the help! I can’t wait to build it! I will note part K41.

Thank you,

Matt

10

Yes, please post photos, I’d love to see how she turns out!

11

I certainly will, although will be a bit. I have 2 on the bench right now. One early tiger 1 being painted from tamiya for a winter scheme (first attempt at that camo) and putting together a dragon panzer 4 with a plow.

12

I actually still have that old motorized M4A3E8 built in my display case. I’ve had it for many years. I liked it at the time I built it.

13

I bought mine around the late '80s - early '90s. It wasn’t motorized. I have it buried somewhere tossed in a box of old models to be used for parts. I don’t remember it being a bad kit, just as a teen I was confused why it was so much bigger than Tamiya’s VVSS Sherman when they listed both as 1/35th.

14

Finished the Tamiya Easy 8 with the commander. Don’t judge too harsh on the figure as it is a first attempt. Also, I think I may have gone a bit over the top with the weathering using some of the Vallejo washes/pigments.

Left/RearLeftFrontRight

Thanks,

Matt

15

I like it! I think you captured the drab look of US armor perfectly.

16

Saw your question, its a little old but thought I would chime in anyway. I just completed the Tamiya Easy 8. The quality, fit and finish was excellent, great detail and not too stingy on extra parts. My only complaint was the two piece turret needed some work to get rid of the unsightly seam, but not too bad. I am still not a huge fan of rubber tracks but these werent too bad. I will post picks this weekend. It wasnt quite on par with the Dragon kits I have done, but not too far off and a good bit cheaper.