USMC M4A3 Sherman?

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hello Folks,

I am thinking about purchasing Tamiya’s M4A3 (75mm) Sherman tank. I’d like to build an accurate marine corps tank such as was used at Guam, Iwo Jima or Okinawa and I was wondering if the Tamiya kit would suit my purpose OOB or would I have to make modifications? If so, are there aftermarket parts available? The reason I ask is that I have seen several photographs of marine M4’s identified as M4A3 tanks but the back end looks different (a flat plate vs. a sloped profile). Is this a different model Sherman or was it a modification made after delivery? Hope you can help, this will be my first foray into armor.

Thanks, cvsaylr

2

Yes the Marines used the late hull 75mm M4A3s on Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The Tamiya kit would work. As would the Academy or Dragon kits of the same version. Each Marine Tank Battalion added their own particular type of modification such as wooden planks, sandbags, etc. Check companies like Tank Workshop and Eduard for Aftermarket items.

3

Thanks for the info. I will also check the other manufactuers you mentioned.

cvsaylr

4

With some tweaks, the classic Tamiya M4A3 can be pretty accurate:

http://www.usarmymodels.com/MANUFACTURERS/Tamiya/tamiya35122.html

Biggest two issues – fix the open sponsons and DON’T use the side hull applique armor patches!

5

As the war progressed you see the Corps tankers modifying their vehicles to counter each new and deadly threat.

By the time of Iwo Jima and Okinawa the only thing recognizable between these and their ETO counterparts was the basic M4 shape.

Tamiya’s kit makes a fine M4A3 from that era. Any “issues” can be readliy covered with wood armor, chicken wire, track links and sandbags.

This Iwo Jima combatant started life as a Tamiya M4A3.

6

[:)]Nicely done.

Terry

7

I highly recommend this book

and you may want to look for this kit. It can be made as an A2 or A3 and has many of the Marine peculair modification parts.

8

Wow thats great work