Best Sherman?

DML once made a M4A3 Sherman(molded injection) with a 105mm howitzer with a CWS-H5 flame gun. I am not sure if it is still in production. I built it last year and I can tell the quality is quite good. Of course like other DNL tanks, you will have to endure(or enjoy) the individual tracks assembly. The tank comes with decal for Korean War.

BTW, here is a picture:

http://www.falconbbs.com/m16-063.jpg

Oh! of course, welcome to the forum. This is a place where you can discuss armour modeling, also you can smell crazy armour enthusiasts' (like me)body odor( filled with enamel, acrylic, putty, diesel, gasoline, thinner, sweat, blood, you name it)

The twin barrel version was not very popular. No one wants to stand out full of napalm. The standard M4A3 was prefered with the flame nozzle inside the maingun. Outwardly it looked like anyother sherman.

QUOTE: Originally posted by gjek The twin barrel version was not very popular. No one wants to stand out full of napalm. The standard M4A3 was prefered with the flame nozzle inside the maingun. Outwardly it looked like anyother sherman.

truly a "ronson" eh??!![:0]

Externally there was not much visible unless you got up close and looked at the barrel. I believe it was made of a thinner casing and had a distinct top and bottom that opened to service the mechanism. M4A1's were also used IIRC. I'd check some references but I'm just heading to work.

The Tamiya M4A3 is probably the best that is one the market right now. Though it is rumoured that DML will be releasing one later this year. You can also use the Italeri Marine M4 kit, it has parts to build an M4A3.

The Marines on Okinawa used the composite hull M4 for the flamethrower tank. As said earlier, it looked just like a standard Sherman. The flame nozzle looked just like the standard 75 gun.

The DML kit of the Composite Hull Firefly included decals and a flame nozzle (barrel) for this version. This kit has long since not been available, so your best bet would be at a swap meet.

You would need to change the tracks to the rubber chevron blocked version with duckbill end connectors. All the pictures I have of the Flamethrower Shermans on Okinawa have these tracks.


Another option would be the Sherman Crocodile. This used the trailer from the Churchill Crocodile and I believe an M4 early hull. The only problem here is reference is scarce at best. Though a few "long range" photo's do exist of this guy during testing.

Good Luck on whatever you choose.

I cant answer your question but and Welcome to the darkside

Quick Quick escape! WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!!!!!!!!
otherwise you will find that flying armor parts will haunt you enought to post your gruesome tales of woe and fear here!

I believe that most of the flame tanks on Okanowia were army. Does that make much difference in M4A3 hull types?

The Army used M4's, M4A1's and M4A3's. The difference is in the engine installed, the engine deck, the exhaust system and the rear hull. In these aspects, the M4 and M4A1 Shermans are quite different from the M4A3 Shermans. The engine differences are a moot point unless you want to show the engine compartment. The M4A3 has grills on the top of the engine deck, where the M4/M4A1 does not. The exhaust systems are totally different from a M4/M4A1 and a M4A3. As a result of the different engines, the rear hull's were different between the M4/M4A1 and the M4A3. The M4/M4A1 had two filter cans on the rear hull and a larger engine access door than the M4A3. The M4A3 had an exhaust shield which the M4/M4A1's did not. The M4 and M4A1 Shermans have the same engine, but the M4 has a welded hull and the M4A1 has a cast hull.

The composite hulled M4's had a cast front hull like an M4A1, but a welded rear hull like a standard M4. They had the same engine as the M4/M4A1.

You are correct on the Flamethrower tanks on Okinawa being Army and not Marine. I was far from my reference material when I answered origianally. Thanks for the correction.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions. Good luck no matter what you decide to build.

I have studied Marine Corps armor during WWII and can tell you the best kit for your project is the Tamiya M4A3. I did a "conversion" of this kit to depict Tank #40 nick named COED from Company "C" 4th tank Battalion on Iwo Jima. I placed a brass tube down the kit barrel to simulate the flame thrower barrel. As another modeler has stated most flamethrower tanks on Okinawa belonged to the Army. More specifically the 713th Flamethrower Tank Battalion. If you need futher information please contact me via e-mail at jivalley@yahoo.com

James Valliere USMC Retired

I apologies, I forgot to let you know that during WWII the MArine Corps used the M4A2 almost exclusively. The only M4a3's were the ones coverted for flamethrower duty which first apeared during the battle for Iwo Jima.
If you are unfamiliar with the M4A2 it had a different rear deck than the m4a3 and was gasoline driven not diesel. \
James