1/35 M4A3 salvage/rebuild...

Nice recycling job, but according to Steve Zaloga, there were 80 M4 and M4A3 US tanks converted to fireflies after the Battle of the Bulge. www.missing-lynx.com/.../m4a3fireflysz48_1.html

Thanks Rob. I think that I read about some of that info in the recent (compared to my initial 1988 project) Osprey book on 76mm Shermans, but not the M4A3 part. Besides, I do not yet have a 1/35 M4A3 76mm on my shelf yet.

I still have the old, motorized Tamiya M4A3E8 sitting in my display cabinet!

I understand, I was just pointing out that you weren't wrong all those years ago. One thing I learned about Shermans is never say never when it comes to combinations; as soon as you do, someone will post a photo showing something that proves it.

One of my current recycle projects involve trying to replicate the variant depicted by the ancient Revell M4 Sherman. The composite hull with low bustle turret and HVSS suspension that might not have existed but will be an interesting project nonetheless.

You know, after stumbling across a website who's link I am gonna post here shortly, I agree 100%. Back when I built this kit originally, all I had was the old Squadron "in action" book. The local library had the  Hunnicut Sherman book at that time, but it was pretty hard to get ahold of for check out. I think I was able to snag it once.

I remember scoffing at those Hunnicutt books at the Armor School book store at Knox in 1991. They were $99. Today, those books are worth several times that now.

Hi Stik,

Very nice build. I like all those tracks used as additional protection. Are you planning on rusting them a lot? or just some dusty weathering?

What colors will it be painted?

Any figures?

Thanks Garzon. It's gonna be a typical very drab 1945 Sherman in Germany in OD with minimal markings. Yes the tracks will be bare metal, with weathering. Maybe some rusting on them. I need to find a good color for the sand bags... A good proper shade for the burlap.

stik: before painting, you might want to add some putty to the gun tube.  That's the 76mm cannon from the old Italier M4A1 kit.  Mistakenly, it replicated a de-milled static version in one of their museums -- which had that step in the de-milled gun tube.  The real 76mm cannon barrel had no step.  

One other suggestion might be to lower the sand bag directly in front of the driver's hatch.  At this point, he has no clear vision through his periscope.  HTH

Thanks for the tips Roy. I will see about sanding down that ofeending sandbag a bit. The turret is from the Academy M4A2 76mm and has no step on the main gun tube, unlike the Italeri 76mm gun, but it does have a seam as if it represents a two part barrel. I can correct that easily enough. Thanks for looking and for the feedback.

Hey Stik,

You don't want to model "Fury"?  My friend and I got to see the real thing at the Tank Museum in Bovington.  For tread heads, this place rates five stars!

pYNeSe[/url]Fury-01 by N. T. Izumi, on Flickr:600:0]

pYLLVc[/url]Fury-02 by N. T. Izumi, on Flickr:600:0]

Well I would need another E-8 kit for Fury. I do have one, but it is the original Dragon Imperial Series with T-66 single pin tracks and the additional armor for the glacial and turret front. I like that look too much to convert it to Fury. One day perhaps...

OK, corrections made that Roy mentioned, and a coat of good old Testors square bottle OD hand brushed on. (hey it's a salvage rebuild, not a new top dog- besides, I need to get back on my hand brushing game) It's starting to look like a late war Sherman now....

I also used one of my Polly Scale ODs on the .50 ammo can and Pioneer Tools and some old Pactra OD on the spare road wheel for a little variety...