Rubicon Models
Rubicon Models => Work In Progress => Topic started by: Rubicon Models on August 25, 2016, 09:57:02 am
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The retirement of one comes a new star for the US & Allies... The new M4A3 Sherman!
Hopefully we would like to push forward the release to Q4/16!
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-2_zps7oqcx59v.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-3_zpsbm3we90h.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-4_zpsafttuhi7.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-5_zpsa2j8poio.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-6_zpsrl8couco.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-7_zpskyq4onul.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20New%20160824-8_zpsw1uuozfm.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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This is great news. I guess some would have preferred that you continued to provide the 75mm turret, as the early 76mm turret was relatively rare on the M4A3 hull, but I like the fact that you've focused on the 76mm version, and that you're planning to include figures and stowage. On the question of stowage, I think it would be worth considering providing a couple of 1-piece stowage pieces similar to the ones you did for the Allied stowage sets i.e. something that's designed to sit on the rear deck. I think wargamers in particular will welcome this.
Will there be 2 sets of tracks? And will the tracks in this kit be compatible with the discontinued M4A3 hull?
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I guess some would have preferred that you continued to provide the 75mm turret, as the early 76mm turret was relatively rare on the M4A3 hull, but I like the fact that you've focused on the 76mm version, and that you're planning to include figures and stowage.
This new release will only have either an early or late 76mm turret.
The M4 Digital Library project is to make all upcoming M4 variants
to be "component" compatible so that major parts can be swapped
during the build. We will have another M4 variant that come with
the 75/105mm turret.
On the question of stowage, I think it would be worth considering providing a couple of 1-piece stowage pieces similar to the ones you did for the Allied stowage sets i.e. something that's designed to sit on the rear deck. I think wargamers in particular will welcome this.
We will include appropriate stowage items from our "Allies Stowage Set",
nothing new is included.
Will there be 2 sets of tracks? And will the tracks in this kit be compatible with the discontinued M4A3 hull?
Yes, there will be 2 sets of tracks, one with duckbill extenders, one
without. Both with embossed track details on the front. If recalled
correctly, these tracks will be compatible with the old M4A3 kit.
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Looks good.
What muzzle brake options will be provided? It looks like with muzzle brake and with screw on protective cover.
When you do the 75/105mm turret, will you include a 76mm barrel for the post war Yugoslavian film star ^___^.
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When you do the 75/105mm turret, will you include a 76mm barrel for the post war Yugoslavian film star ^___^.
As mentioned before, the 75/105mm turret will be on another M4 variant.
What 76mm barrel? ;)
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When you do the 75/105mm turret, will you include a 76mm barrel for the post war Yugoslavian film star ^___^.
As mentioned before, the 75/105mm turret will be on another M4 variant.
What 76mm barrel? ;)
75mm turrets upgraded with 76mm guns
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/m4a3e4/m4a3e4.html
As seen in Kelly's Heroes.
Not actually in your WW2 remit of course.
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s mentioned before, the 75/105mm turret will be on another M4 variant.
That will be the M4, I assume. That will mean providing both a mid-production and late-production hull.
You could include the early 76mm turret with the M4A2, and put a (late) 75mm turret in the M4A3 kit instead of having 2 76mm turrets. Just a thought...
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Great news and I`m very pleased, last night I saw your good bye to the Sherman and went on Amazon, I got the last of the old from Cavalier Books. So thanks to them and you, I`ll field three Shermans Still fancy a new one though.
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Here is a preview of the US & British tank crew...
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20Tank%20Crew%20160826-1_zpspm9eapzx.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Wow, can you get that level of detail on the actual plastic figures?
Remember the M4A3 wasn't used by the British at all. They used the 75mm version of the M4A2 (the 76mm M4A2s went to the Red Army).
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Wow, can you get that level of detail on the actual plastic figures?
Not to such extend, but we are trying!
Remember the M4A3 wasn't used by the British at all. They used the 75mm version of the M4A2 (the 76mm M4A2s went to the Red Army).
We are aware of this in a historical sense, but also need to take care of our gamers. ;)
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The British crewman looks good, though I always find the representation of the beret on figures a little odd, useful to have one or more photographs as a real life example.
Would a British Tank commander have a headset?
Remember the M4A3 wasn't used by the British at all.
One of the reasons that I am more interested in outlier uses of the M4A3 ^__^.
I
They used the 75mm version of the M4A2 (the 76mm M4A2s went to the Red Army).
I think British M4A2s tended to be small hatch hulls, I need to check"Comrade Emcha" but I think the Soviets had both.
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Would a British Tank commander have a headset?
Yes, they usually do. Unfortunately the timing to get a head with beret & headset
done before sending the project to mould making is way off... so need to do one
without! :(
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We are aware of this in a historical sense, but also need to take care of our gamers. ;)
Does that mean you're also planning to supply markings for non-existent British versions? Many gamers will also be aware that the US kept the M4A3 exclusively for its own use...
With some clever arranging of the parts, you should be able to produce both common and version-specific sprues for the M4A2 and M4A3, and keep everyone happy.
I think British M4A2s tended to be small hatch hulls, I need to check"Comrade Emcha" but I think the Soviets had both.
You're right - the British stopped receiving M4A2s before the 'large hatch' hull was introduced. The Soviets received all versions of the M4A2.
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The main objective of the M4 Digital Library project is to create all
major components - turrets, hulls, suspensions, tracks, and such
to cover all variants for the M4 Sherman - both US & her allies.
These major components (with all the necessary parts) will then be
grouped and tooled onto specific sprues. Some of these sprues
will be "common" to all products, while others are specially made
just for that variant.
This is a daunting project for us at Rubicon Models and required
cash flow to fund its development. The new M4A3 (with which all
components are already on hand) will be a first step to get funding
before the rest of the variants started to roll out next year!
With some common sprues on each variant, it will save us money
and production cost, and we can pass the savings to customers
too! Of course, like most of our previous kits, there will be some
useless parts for your bits box!
We are looking into doing two generic M4 decal sheets for US and
Commonwealth countries. We are rescheduling some of our mould
making priorities and hopefully be able to release the newly tooled
M4A3 before the end of this year!
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I know I keep mentioning the M4A2, but it seems a natural companion to the M4A3 because there are so many common components.
They also compliment each other - the M4A3 was exclusively to used by the US Army, while the M4A2 was used by the British, Soviets and US Marines.
The M4A3 could basically be a re-do of your discontinued kit, only with a choice of tracks, the high-bustle 75mm turret and late 76mm turret, as well as extras like (US) crew and stowage.
The M4A2 could include both the mid-production and late production hulls, and the low bustle 75mm turret and the early 76mm turret, as well as British and Soviet crew.
The pieces would be interchangeable between the kits, so that the mid-production hull from the M4A2 kit could be used to build a mid-production M4A3 by swapping the engine decks. It would also be good if there were enough parts to build complete turrets, so that they can be swapped depending on the version desired.
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@Pinky, it takes time to prepare all 3D drawings. As mentioned previously,
we are working on all variants of the M4 Sherman & Firefly. So expect to
see a lot of new M4 releases next year!
BTW, anything related to the M4A4 will be last... ;)
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@pinky
The impression I get from rubicon is that every single variant of the Sherman will be available in some way and all the parts would be interchangable so you could make those weirder variants and the bastardised bodge Jobs, sorry, field repairs.
How they accomplish this I don't know, but I'm very excited to find out.
We know that the M4A3 76mm is out in December (and that turret looks so much better) and I think we can safely assume that an M4A3 75mm/105mm would be out shortly after (as that's the more useful tank gaming wise) giving us two boxes like the T34-76/85. I like the idea of that as there's too much crammed into the current kit and it appears the new 76mm has crew.
From there, who knows how they'll do it (well I guess/hope rubicon do...), but expansion packs similar to the 250/251 half tracks would be cool with the main kit being the base kit (would work nicely for jumbo/easy 8, etc) or maybe as they said earlier they will have a Sprue with the base parts that are common to all Shermans and the have mark specific kits that have the correct front glacial plates, sides, exhausts, hatches, too plates, turrets, tracks, etc. Potentially we could have serval boxes if that was the case which gets me very happy.
I might make one tank with bits that would never have gone together just for the sake of annoying some people ;)
This is probably the project I have got most excited about so far. More so than the greyhound! And maybe this opens it up for the various panzer marks as well?
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well i am pleased there are more sherman variants as i can then do more add on conversion kits for them
looks good lots of interchangable sherman bits :)
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I am impressed with the improvements Rubicon have made for the forthcoming M4A3 kit, but I am still stuck with the only supplier of usable plastic Sherman tanks being in Nottingham/Italy.
I fully understand Rubicon's position, I will just have to wait.
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Elias - I'm as pleased as you to see an updated 76mm Sherman (especially one with options like extended end connectors). But from the perspective of gamers, the discontinued M4A3 kit is more attractive on some levels. Few gamers will be bothered with whether their Sherman has an early or late 76mm turret; they would rather have the option of switching it for a 75mm turret. In fact, the main criticism of the discontinued M4A3 was that it should have had parts for 2 complete turrets. Similarly, the disadvantage with the Rubicon T-34 is that it has 2 early turrets, instead of a choice of early and mid-production turrets.
Also, the expansion kit approach doesn't really work for something like this. There are too many differences between versions, so you can't really have one base kit like you can with the SdKfz 251. So I was suggesting an approach which would cover a lot of useful variants with just 2 kits of 2 Sherman types that are relatively similar (so they don't both have to be designed from scratch).
Anyway, Rubicon have their own ideas, so there's no point pursuing this. I'll be buying several of the new M4A3 when it comes out.
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Following the preview of the Sherman tank crew is their 3D prototypes!
Test-fitting the crew to our new T23 turrets...
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20Tank%20Crew%20160830-1_zpsy0qksnw6.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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The crew figures look good . Does the green ( US crewed ) turret have a separate loaders hatch or is it molded closed ?
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The crew figures look good . Does the green ( US crewed ) turret have a separate loaders hatch or is it molded closed ?
It's moulded closed!
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Will this new version still be compatible with the M36 turret from your M10/M36 kit?
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Will this new version still be compatible with the M36 turret from your M10/M36 kit?
Definitely yes! All our US tank designs are downward compatible! ;)
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Was surprised to see these test shots well ahead of schedule; probably mould making knew we are in a hurry!
Still a lot of work needed to be done, but at least they are now in plastic TS1...
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-01_zpschesoxwr.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-02_zpsjnko8lt3.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-03_zpstj39lyoz.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-04_zpsod45iegr.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-05_zpse9aq9mgo.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-06_zps9rep5us0.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-07_zpss0zceaf0.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-08_zpsvbxkuq7p.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-09_zpsq06ou0cq.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-10_zps1sxvnh2d.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-11_zps0qyd1eu9.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-12_zpscwrgvfkp.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-13_zpsp3uwzy7s.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-14_zps4s4vrmw7.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3%20TS1%20Plastic%20161015-15_zpsc505hmca.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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Wow!
That looks good.
No good for my British forces (except for the commander) but I suspect might form the armour for a fictitious post war force.
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they look fab, great models
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This looks like a real labour of love - a genuinely deluxe kit with tons of options. I really like the HVSS suspension, and the revised rear hull. And I see there's even a 'chunky' .50 cal included.
Are all the tracks complete, or are there some common parts? It looks as though the 2 different VVSS sets share a common drive sprocket.
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Are all the tracks complete, or are there some common parts? It looks as though the 2 different VVSS sets share a common drive sprocket.
I think that you can only build one set of VVSS, there appears to be only two sets of bogie backs and sprockets.
Combined with the spare engine deck (either from the M10/36 or a future M4Ax kit), you might be able to cobble one of the really strange Sherman variants like the Israeli mortar carrier together.
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Just wow!
The E8 looks really stunning 8-)
I'm really looking forward to the release of this kit!
Cheers
SP
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Looks like only one VVSS track set can be built complete , but if you use the sand skirts and a little kit bashing I'm sure you could get away with incomplete wheel sets . It worked on my T-34 , I used the 2 internal pieces of the return roller to make a spare one strapped on a fender . Probably the internal piece of the drive sprocket could be used as spare stowage as well . If all else fails , a little mud hides a multitude of omissions ;D
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Thanks all for the compliments. We have spend a lot of time to build
the M4 Sherman Digital Library in hope to create a product range that
is affordable (low cost) and covers a broad range of M4 variants.
By looking at the sprues, you can see we are creating a number of
"common" sprues that can be used repeatedly for other M4 variants.
The plan is to create only a new mould for each upcoming variant to
save development costs, thus keeping our cost down. By doing so,
we are also able to release new variants at a faster rate too!
We are also studying the possibility of applying the same logic to
our revising Panzer IV and Panzer III kit too.
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So it looks as though sprue A would be common to all Sherman kits. Sprue D is for any 76mm-armed Sherman (M4A1 and M4A2). Sprue B is specific to the M4A3. Sprue C is essentially the HVSS components, and would be compatible with both an M4A1 or M4A2 (76mm) (HVSS) (although the M4A1 with HVSS almost certainly didn't see service in WW2) and with a late M4 (105mm). I think the late model exhaust deflector on sprue D is specific to the M4A3, but there was a similar type for the M4A1.
I would guess there is a 75mm turret sprue in the works, perhaps with parts for the high and low bustle turret. Then Rubicon would design a specific sprue for each variant - although in most cases they will need to do a 'small hatch' and 'large hatch' hull.
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I would guess there is a 75mm turret sprue in the works, perhaps with parts for the high and low bustle turret. Then Rubicon would design a specific sprue for each variant - although in most cases they will need to do a 'small hatch' and 'large hatch' hull.
The 75/105mm turret sprue is in the works with BOTH high and low bustle features.
As for the small and large hatch hulls, you might receive BOTH hulls on some variants,
some might not... depending on the number of parts needed for each one!
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Looking at the dedicated M4A3 sprue, if you disregard the accessories and the additional HVSS parts, there seems to be enough space for both a small hatch hull and a large hatch hull. So, in the case of the M4A2, you could include the common sprue (sprue A), the 76mm turret sprue (sprue D), and the 75mm turret sprue. That would build at least 3 versions of the M4A2. You'd almost have enough parts for 2 whole tanks! But the dedicated M4A2 sprue would need to include sandshields, a British style blanket box, and a Soviet tank commander.
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Looking at the dedicated M4A3 sprue, if you disregard the accessories and the additional HVSS parts, there seems to be enough space for both a small hatch hull and a large hatch hull. So, in the case of the M4A2, you could include the common sprue (sprue A), the 76mm turret sprue (sprue D), and the 75mm turret sprue. That would build at least 3 versions of the M4A2. You'd almost have enough parts for 2 whole tanks! But the dedicated M4A2 sprue would need to include sandshields, a British style blanket box, and a Soviet tank commander.
This is exactly what we do not wanted... "almost" two whole tanks!
Being a business, we need the sales... of course, without sacrificing
our signature features - multiple choices & variants!
Unlike the M4A3/M4A3E8 combo, the M4A2 will be having a different
way of presenting itself, stay tuned!
;)
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Fair point - that would be a lot of wasted parts. Remember though that the wargamers love things like turrets to be completely switchable, so it's good if they're complete, with no common parts.
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Hello,
I wanted to ask when this kit might make it to market, or at the very least if we know if it'll be available before or after the new year. I saw in the original posting that the quoted release date is some time here in Q4 of 2016.
:)Thanks,
-Collius
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Rubicon were talking about Q4 this year, but I'm going to guess it will be Q1 next year.
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A couple of suggestions on markings. Up till now Rubicon's kits have been largely confined to WW2. But the M4A3 (76mm) HVSS saw extensive service after WW2 in the Korean War. It would be great if Rubicon could include some decals for Korean War vehicles - there was the very distinctive tiger and dragon markings used by some US units in 1951, and the British-style markings of the Canadian Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). Having a Canadian vehicle would also mean the commander with a beret can be used, as the Canadian tankers wore berets.
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A couple of suggestions on markings. Up till now Rubicon's kits have been largely confined to WW2. But the M4A3 (76mm) HVSS saw extensive service after WW2 in the Korean War. It would be great if Rubicon could include some decals for Korean War vehicles - there was the very distinctive tiger and dragon markings used by some US units in 1951, and the British-style markings of the Canadian Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). Having a Canadian vehicle would also mean the commander with a beret can be used, as the Canadian tankers wore berets.
An interesting idea, though the faces would occupy a substantial amount of the sheet.
Maybe as an additional decal sheet. I suspect there are plenty of Rubicon products with post war applications, I bought the Tankograd (DDR) NVA T34 book for ideas for the Rubicon T34s.
Maybe a post war decal thread on the wish list sub forum?
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Yes, they would be large decals. Maybe this kit could have extra decals, seeing as it's a deluxe kit? Just an idea...
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Lets get the kits first. Additional decal sets can be done at any time.
Tim
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Any news? I need a e8 so bad but the other kits on the market don't seem to do it for me.
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Any news? I need a e8 so bad but the other kits on the market don't seem to do it for me.
Should be Q1/17 as most of the sprues are close to completion.
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Any news? I need a e8 so bad but the other kits on the market don't seem to do it for me.
Should be Q1/17 as most of the sprues are close to completion.
Awesome, I keep checking back here for updates, I cant wait for this kit ever since i messed up my current M4A3's 76MM turret :'(
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As the release date of the new M4A3/M4A3E8 is drawing near, we had begun work on the box design, assembly instruction, and the decal sheet.
Any new ideas on the decal sheet design are very much welcome!
Note: Better to include images if you are talking about tank names and emblems.
;)
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I have Steve Zaloga's Osprey book on the 76mm Sherman and his Concord books on the Sherman, which have quite a few colour schemes. But I don't want to breach copyright by scanning the artwork. Basically, you're looking at late war markings for US Army units in NW Europe and Italy, and you could include both US and Canadian unit markings for the Korean War (including the famous 'tiger' faces).
[Edit - email sent]
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The M4A3/M4A3E8 decal sheet is almost done. We had packed a lot of stuff into this tiny sheet.
Almost 150 items are on there!
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20Decal%20170206-2_zpsbaz1js23.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20Decal%20170206-2d_zpsuwlfhsqp.jpg)
Comments welcome!
;)
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You don't need the yellow ringed stars (only used in Sicily and Italy in 1943) or US flags (only used in North Africa). These weren't in use when the M4A3 (76mm) entered service.
"Sad Sack" is mis-spelt.
Some more 'speed numbers' ( i.e. the large numbers in white or yellow) would be good.
By late 1944, many US tanks only had bumper codes - there don't seem to be any.
"Flat-Foot-Floogie" (41st Tank Batallion, 11th Armoured Division) has a nice set of markings:
(https://s29.postimg.org/g9roomz77/IMG_0065.png) (https://postimg.org/image/g9roomz77/)
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You don't need the yellow ringed stars (only used in Sicily and Italy in 1943) or US flags (only used in North Africa). These weren't in use when the M4A3 (76mm) entered service.
May be not on a M4A3. there are still yellow ringed stars on M4 turrets -and- US flags on the hull as seen in some Normandy pictures. Bison Decals had several illustrations with them that stated early 44.
Can delete the yellow ringed stars to save space!
"Sad Sack" is mis-spelt.
It was "Sad Sac!" on the "Allied Tanks of WW2" by David Porter, and another book that I can't recall.
Some more 'speed numbers' (i.e. the large numbers in white or yellow) would be good.
They are huge and takes up a lot of space on the decal sheet. Might do a new standalone decal sheet later on.
By late 1944, many US tanks only had bumper codes - there don't seem to be any.
Bumper codes are too specific. Will do a standalone sheet later! Or alternatively, can bring the old M4A3 decal sheet back with a new set of vehicle numbers instead.
"Flat-Foot-Floogie" (41st Tank Batallion, 11th Armoured Division) has a nice set of markings:
(https://s29.postimg.org/g9roomz77/IMG_0065.png) (https://postimg.org/image/g9roomz77/)
Will look into this...
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Nice variety of decals . Personally I would rather have generic national ID , vehicle ID and unit ID decals issued with the kit . The specialty named vehicles ( Fury , Sad Sack , etc ) would be better IMO , as a separate set like your SS and Heavy Panzer decal sets . Most gamers that I know , want generic vehicles for various game setting options , while modellers would want to make a specific vehicle . Most times , 90% of the decal sheets I have are useless to me , I would rather order specific decals to match the picture of the vehicle I'm reproducing in 1/56 , 1/48 or 1/35 scale . That being said , I do have enough decals in my stash , to make do if a kits decals aren't exactly what I need ;D
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May be not on a M4A3. there are still yellow ringed stars on M4 turrets -and- US flags on the hull as seen in some Normandy pictures. Bison Decals had several illustrations with them that stated early 44.
Can delete the yellow ringed stars to save space!
There are always exceptions (e.g. vehicles soldiering on into 1944 with outdated markings). I've never seen the US flag on a Normany-period tank. Given that it was increasingly common to paint over every star by the time the M4A3(76mm) entered service, I'd suggest getting rid of these, and maybe reducing the number of stars overall so you've got room for other stuff. How about including a couple of blacked-out stars instead?
It was "Sad Sac!" on the "Allied Tanks of WW2" by David Porter, and another book that I can't recall.
Was it a photo? Maybe the '!' was a 'k'?
"Sad Sack" was a cartoon character introduced in 1942, and the name appears on tanks and aircraft (apparently it was a short form of "sad sack of shit"!). There are photos of Shermans called "Sad Sack" and "Sad Sack II". Apart from the fact that a 'sac' is something quite different from a 'sack'(!), most people will assume that this is mis-spelt. Unlike Ripley, I like getting tank names on decal sheets. If I am doing a unit, I like to give them all different names. So I'd like more rather than less!
They are huge and takes up a lot of space on the decal sheet. Might do a new standalone decal sheet later on.
Fair enough. It's just that late war US tanks were quite drab looking unless they had these kinds of tactical markings.
Bumper codes are too specific. Will do a standalone sheet later! Or alternatively, can bring the old M4A3 decal sheet back with a new set of vehicle numbers instead.
Again, fair enough. And probably less important for models that are used for wargaming.
Will look into this...
Flat-Foot-Floogie (named after a dance tune, apparently) is featured on the rear cover of the Squadron/Signal 'Sherman in Action' title. I found the Bison decals (I hope it's okay to post them here):
(https://s27.postimg.org/nsa6kxw6n/Bison_decal.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/nsa6kxw6n/)
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Will look into the details, and try to rework some items on the decal sheet... provided I have the time to do it.
Deadline is near... hahaha!
;)
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This is the type of decal templates that we planned to do (when we have the time to) for all our products:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20Decal%20Illustrated%20170210-01_zpshxsmd8jl.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20Decal%20Illustrated%20170210-02_zpshotpioqm.jpg)
Comments welcome!
;)
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I think this would be good - assuming you have room on the box. You'd need to get the captions right - for instance, 'Eskimo' was on the Rhine in March 1945. And maybe include some camo schemes?
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So excited, ETA on when I can give you my money????
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I think there is sufficient disagreement about decals representing specific vehicles or more generic ones that can only be resolved by having different decal sheets. Personally I tend towards ripley's point of view that as a wargamer you don't usually want a vehicle identified with a particular battle because it is inappropriate in a different time and place. However I wouldn't want that view to spoil other people's fun.
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In the case of Allied vehicles the photographic records are fairly good - British armour perhaps less so than American. German subjects can get more speculative, especially in the late war period. But it's a good point; maybe the best approach is a mixture of decals without anything too specific (apart from the names - no harm in using actual names). Then include a couple of templates as indications of where the different markings normally appeared, without trying to represent a specific vehicle.
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The final pre-release photo of our M4A3/M4A3E8 Sherman (280042):
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20TS%20Painted%20170111-01_zpsimh85o8y.jpg)
With our "Mix & Match" design, you can swap parts to create your own
M4 Sherman variants once the required parts are released. In this case,
a M4A3(105) with duckbill extenders:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20TS%20Painted%20170111-02_zpsrqayunko.jpg)
Enjoy!
;)
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They look really good.
The turrets look extremely good.
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We are very proud of both turrets. Had put in a lot of efforts by our design staff to make them easy to assemble while keeping them as accurate as possible.
We did tweak the hull a bit (both engineering and details) to sure it is compatible with our new "Mix & Match" design. We also make the hatches open. The tracks are totally new!
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Yes, the turrets are excellent. As does the HVSS suspension.
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They look really good .
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A decal design update based on feedback from you guys!
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/M4A3-M4A3E8%20Decal%20170206-4_zpsykczwhfb.jpg)
Any more comments?
;)
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Looks good to me - still think "Sad Sac" is a mistake though...
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Looks good to me - still think "Sad Sac" is a mistake though...
Can't change it... no space in between the decals to add an extra alphabet! :(
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Can't change it... no space in between the decals to add an extra alphabet! :(
Remove the exclamation mark...
Here's the name on a training vehicle (from the Sherman Minutia site):
(https://s28.postimg.org/sqq7rpr0p/IMG_0066.jpg) (https://postimg.org/image/sqq7rpr0p/)
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We are talking about a different tank...
This is a M4A3(76)W HVSS with a different vehicle number... can't recall where we scanned this one for references!
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/M4A3%20Sherman/07022017011321-0001_zpsyprdbnta.jpg)
;)
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I realised it would be a different vehicle. I'm saying I think it's wrong i.e. the illustrator was mistaken. It happens a lot - it's hard to read b&w photos, and the illustrators aren't necessarily knowledgeable. Tanks Encyclopedia has a depiction of "Flat Foot Floogie" (the tank in the photo above) with the name mis-spelt.
Of course there may be a photo proving it's right. Anyway, it's your call.
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True! No reason to argue over a mis-spelt "K vs !". Going back redoing it takes time... being lazy... would rather do something else, lol.
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Is Sad Sac used post war or during wwii?
Can you remember?
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A little white paint and a very fine brush or tooth pick will change that ! to a k . The more we nit pik the longer it will take to get the kit to market , and I want one NOW ! lol