Greetings, I have been wanting to build up a early Sherman. I build mostly aircraft so I am not armor savvy, and what armor I have built is German. I’m looking for a Kit that will build up OOB decent. Not looking for every bolt~head and weld to be correct nor am I into the PE add ons. Just recommendations on a current market 1/35 kit. Thank you
While it isn’t an early M4A1, Italeri’s M4A1 is a decent build OOB. It has it’s issues, but it doesn’t cost a ton and can be made to look pretty good. Nichimo had an M4A1 early, but it’s out of production and a little hard to find; not to mention it isn’t a very good kit and as such requires a lot of work to build up decent. Both are 1/35 there are a few in the smaller scales as well, but I can’t speak to their quality or accuracy.
I would also echo what has been said about the Italeri kit, apart from the tracks, which I thought were c**p.
Very well then on the Italeri, other then the tracks. Is the issue with the tracks because they are the rubber band type ? Thanks for taking the time to reply [tup]
Tasca’s M4A1 (in several early/mid versions) has set the bar for Sherman kits. It is pricey though.
Dragon made an M4A1(75) Early back in the late 90s that was reissued just several years ago. When it first came out, it was one of the “Holy Grails” of Sherman modeling. It has since been eclipsed by the Tasca kit and the reissues can be bought on eBay for a steal.
If you want a good M4A1 that won’t bust your budget and are not set on 1/35 scale, Tamiya released a 1/48 scale M4A1(75) early a couple of years ago. Hobby Boss also does a 1/48 scale M4A1 too.
The Italeri kit uses one piece vinyl tracks. They are Hersey bar thick and notoriously hard to work with. They are accurate for the late model M4A1(76)W that the kit represents.
If you don’t mind a late M4A1(76)W, Dragon does a very nice one as well.
I built the Tamiya Early version in 1/35. A pure joy.
Firstly, Tamiya doesn’t make a 1/35 M4A1 (you must be thinking about the M4?). Like Col. Robin says the Tasca ones are state of art. DML has just released a very early M4A1 as well. Both will cost around the $45-65 range.
I’m doing the Tasca Sherman M4A1 El Alamein kit and it’s wonderful
I have the DML “Operation Cobra” kit. I’m about 25% done and put it on the back burner. I went and made it waaaay too complicated by trying to drop a turret interior into it.
The kit itself is pretty nice. It has a few PE details, but nothing big. The only complaint I have with it is the tracks. Three pieces per link is a bit much, and makes me wish for some single piece DS tracks
If I were to build an early M4A1 then it would be Tasca’s M4A1 all the way.
I really like tamiya’s 1/48 M4A1. Affordable too.
[#ditto] The Taco Buff is wise!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply with such great information. [tup] So after careful thought I believe I will buy the Italerie kit too start out with, then find the Tamiya and build it. So many good things about the Dragon how can I not go wrong by adding and building it… And if I come across a Tasca that sounds like a must have also [:P] Might even try a 1/48 just for the heck of it [;)]
Be advised, the Tasca kit runs $80+ (yes, over eighty US dollars). Definitely not an impulse buy.
The newer Dragon DV M4A1(75) (direct vision) runs around $50.
While the 20+ year old Italeri kit is a solid model, it is way over-priced in the $30+ range.
Go 1/48! you won’t be displeased! and you’ll fall in love with the scale trust me! it’s different to build anything bigger now, and that’s after building just three 1/48 kits.