DML M4A3 E8 Progress Pics

Here's a couple of pics of the DML M4A3 E8 kit that I've been working on at the same time as the Academy M4A2 kit.

This is one of DML's older Shermans and suffers from a few problems.
It is a cross breed kit using a large amount of Italeri parts with DML supplying the E8 suspension and a new tooled turret. In this lies the problems. The Italeri lower hull needs to be modified to accept the new suspension, the 76 gun is too short, and the mantlet is molded upside down. Since this kit was originally released, it went through a couple of retools that corrected these errors and DML has anounced another for this year. In order to correct the mantlet, I filled the holes and redrilled them in the proper location. The barrel was an easy fix, Jordi Rubio has the perfect replacement. I swapped upper hulls with another Italeri Sherman I had due to some serious sink holes in the plastic.The dust cover is made with tissue paper and white glue.

Here's a couple of pics of the M4A3 E8 as of now.





Here's a couple of pics showing both the DML M4A3 E8 and the Academy M4A2 converted to an E8.







Hope you enjoy .... I'll keep you posted as to further progress.