Hi Emil; as for your question regarding the choice you have for the PE set to use with your tank. Most sets like those from LionRoar have only few parts for the .50 cal. HMG. Currently I would go with the set from HAULER, which is quite nice but you can also use the new set coming from EDUARD together with their new ammo PE boxes. Yet, my favorite PE company ABER will also release a PE set for the M4 and I will wait for this one as ABER makes the best PE stuff in my opinion. What I can’t recommend is the set from Gaso.Line from France (resin parts+HAULER PE set combination ). While not being bad, the resin parts for the HMG aren’t a big improvement compared to the kits parts.
When I build my BANDAI 1/48 scale M4A1 and M4A3 kits I used both parts from AIRES’s .50 cal. MG and VERLINDEN’s .30 cal. , .50 cal. MG and ammo boxes from their US weapons set (aircraft accessories range). The result was quite good and received a first place in a competition.
The HAULER sets is a beauty and I do would recommend this one!
There are a number of metal barrels with LIonRoar’s among the best, but if I remember it correctly there was a problem with all those replacement barrles lacking the flare at the muzzle present on the M3 cannon. The yet sole metal barrel having this feature is actually the last entry - the one coming from ARMO.
Beside this Armour Workshop has a new one, which has this feature two. After the less favorable review on PMMS they went back and did their homework to get the modelers a better product. That’s great speaking as a modeler. Leo and the other guys from AM definetly listen to the modelers and read the reviews.
I really like the old original Eduard PE set for the Bandai/Frog M4A3 Sherman. I ran across one set when I won a lot of PE sets on eBay. Nestled amongst them was a 48th scale armor set. I found a second one in the clearance bin at a local shop for about $1.50.
It was a nice, interesting set that included two full frets with interior and exterior parts including a radio, driver’s control panel, .50 cal detailing (can, ammo, pintle). Well worth the money I paid.
Yes- they’re quite nice! I still have one each of the sets for the Bandai M4A3 and the Jeep in my stash. The PE fret for Jeep is also very adding a lot of detail to the little Jeep. I’m definetly looking forward to see a new state of the art Jeep!
Another p/e set worth taking a look at is the new one from Part (from Poland). I’ve not started using it yet but it looks on a par with the Hauler set. It includes items not in the Hauler set, such as replacement track skids, tools and the grill for under the rear overhang.
I still wait for my set to arrive, but the pictures on PMMS site look quite good. In the meantime, I received a sample of “TWS”'s replacement lower hull for the M4 Sherman from TAMIYA. I posted a short review on BTL.
It’s not up to the standard of “TMD”, but you get good value for the money and I’m sure that it will be popular with all guys, who wish to add an interior to their Sherman tanks.