Thanks!  I just ordered ASU35036 1:35 Asuka US Medium Tank M4A3(76)W Sherman "Thunderbolt IV" from Sprue Brothers.  I appreciate your help!

Bill

https://store.spruebrothers.com/searchresults.asp?Search=Asuka&Submit=

HobbyLink Japan has a pretty good selection of their products at good prices. Depending on how you select your order to be shipped it can be a little expensive or take a while to get your order though. 

https://www.hlj.com/search/go?cnt=30&isort=globalpop&lbc=hobbylink&method=and&p=Q&ts=custom&uid=252831640&w=*&af=selectscale%3a135scale%20selectmanufacturer%3aasuka

Thanks! I'll check them out.

Bill

That is a very thorough review!  Thank you!

I noticed that you mentioned Tasca kits.  I have looked in various online hobby shops but have been unable to find them.  Can anyone tell me a source for Tasca kits? I would love to try them.

Bill

https://paulbudzik.com/tools-techniques/Sherman%20Construction/sherman-construction.html

Jack,

Thanks!  That helps!

Bill

You can print out the instructions from the previous boxing of the kit.  That ensures you're not adding any of the British features.

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10080036

regards,

Jack

Stik,

Thanks! You are confirming that which I had suspected.  I appreciate it  very much!

Bill

Oh yes, leave off the sun shade rack mounts on the sand shields. Those were a British fitting to allow deceptive canvas cab and bed tarps to be fitted to make the tanks look like trucks (lorries).

warshipguy

So, if I were to delete the blanket box and water can rack, are you saying that I can make it an American M4A1?

Bill

 

Pretty much. IIRC, one of the original shipments of Sherman’s for the 8th Army was torpedoed and sunk by a U-Boat during the build up for El Alamein. So US 1st Armored Division gave up a portion of theirs as replacements. When 1st Armored Division landed in North Africa during Torch, they had a mix of M3 Lee and M4 Sherman Mediums as a result. Mechanically, for logistics purpose, they shared common engine, drivetrain, and suspension components, so it was not a big stretch.

The turret blanket box and fender water can racks were added by 8th Army workshops in Egypt upon arrival. Other mods to some British Shermans were a pair of smoke bomb mortars on the turret side. If the kit has them, and you plan on making it American, leave those off. Also the British did not often mount the commander’s M2 .50 cal. Whereas US tanks did almost always.

So, if I were to delete the blanket box and water can rack, are you saying that I can make it an American M4A1?

Bill

The kit is an initial production M4A1 (cast hull) Direct Vision with M3 VVSS and the early M34 mantlet, along with British peculiar mods- blanket box on the turret rear and water can rack on the fender.