Italeri M4 Sherman - Marines

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

2 Questions for everyone, even though Shermfreak will probably nail it …

I have the M4 Sherman by italeri. This is the kit with the wood planked sides.

  1. The instructions tell me to remove the rear deck and replace it with a different one…what are the differences?

  2. I already know that the tracks are thick and might be rough to install, but what else do I need to be aware of for this kit?

I plan to build mine like the box cover except I plan to use real wood for the sides and use different lettering/slogans. I am almost done with my German Armor stint, and am planning my Allied advance [^].

Thanks for the help,

2

The engine deck represents the diesel engined M4A2 variant. The current deck is the original M4A3 gasoline powered Ford GAA engined variant.

3

The M4A3 is the one attached to the hull now and the M4A2 is the one on the sprue?

Which deck is best for climbing a pacific beach, preferably Guadalcanal if anyone has sherman/guad. info :slight_smile:

Thanks!

4

Yes, sorry. The replacement deck is the M4A2 deck and is proper for a USMC Sherman. The M4A3 deck is the one molded on, but it too can also represent a USMC tank as well.

As far as Guadacanal, in August 1942, the M4A3 was still a very new tank, in service for only several months. Since most A3s were maintained by the US Army, it might be unlikely that the USMC had A3s at the time of Gudalcanal, let alone in theater.

I’m also fairly positive that the 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Marine Division was equipped with the M2A4 and M3 light tanks during the August 1942 Guadalcanal invasion. I could be wrong though since I am not a WW2 PTO expert.

5

Great information, thanks!!!

I’ve always been a fan of Gauadalcanal’s history and thought maybe, just maybe I could make this sherman (my first sherman) on the beaches of Guadalcanal, protecting the supplies destined for Henerson Field…

I wonder if the Marine replacements on Bataan showed up with Shermans…hmmm time to hit the books/web :slight_smile:

Thanks!!!,

6

If you want to build the M4A2 variant … you’re going to have to do some kitbashing. Just changing the engine deck is not enough. But the good thing is the Marines did use the A3 variant, but probably after Guadalcanal.

7

hmmm… ok. So I guess I should skip step 1, leave the existing rear deck on the model and make it an M4A3 marine sherman.

I’ll post pics as it comes alive… thanks for the help clarifying this for me!!!

Thanks,

8

Having the same model, and being a fool for punishment, what am tracks are right for this model (done as the A3??)

Thanks

Bill

9

Kit tracks are fine for an M4A3. There are multiple aftermarket tracks available for an A3.

10

On The Canal Marines Had M2a4’s M3 And M3A1’s

11

Yeah, Rob sort of pointed that out 16 years ago…

12

LOL, I have a 15 year old son who’s a sophomore in high school who is younger than this answer!