Author Topic: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 3pc Differential Housing Conversion 210122  (Read 300693 times)

H0ffmn

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH variants 190311
« Reply #465 on: March 12, 2019, 10:05:42 pm »
I know for sure that the 76mm gun was not used on the small hatch hull,a side from a prototype or two. Maybe check Sherman minutia on the 75mm gun on the large hatch hull M4A1. People have commented on other pages/forums that the 1/72 Esci M4A1 large hatch with a 75mm gun never existed. But I think they did as the basis of a few duplex drive Shermans

Tracks

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH variants 190311
« Reply #466 on: March 13, 2019, 10:56:42 am »
According to a lot of my books on the Sherman, the 75mm gun turret (with the new M34A1 mantlet) might have been used on the M4A1 large hatch hull, but evidence is not conclusive. For certain, the 76mm gun turret doesn't seem to have been used on the M4A1 small hatch hull.

Pinky

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH variants 190311
« Reply #467 on: March 13, 2019, 02:33:06 pm »
The 75mm turret was fitted to some large hatch M4A1s.  They are sometimes confused with the M4 Composite hull, but there are several photos that clearly show the large hatch M4A1 hull.  As Hoffman said, they were used as DD tanks; in fact nearly all the photos I've seen are the DD version.  Here is what the Shadock site says:

The first M4A1s with large hatches were equipped with 75mm guns, and were manufactured by Pressed Steel Car in December 1943. They retained the "dry stowage" of the original design, where the 75mm ammunition bins were mounted in vulnerable positions on the sponsons. In the right side photo above, we've pointed out what we informally label "cast in appliqué."  These "bumps" were incorporated into the hull casting in the area of the sponson mounted ammo bins, thus eliminating the need for welding on the one inch armor plates that were mandated to be factory installed or retrofitted on dry stowage Shermans starting in the Summer of 1943. It is thought that only Montreal Locomotive and Pressed Steel Car produced M4A1(75)s with "cast in appliqué" hulls. They appear on the last 75 or so Grizzlies (all small hatch), as well as the last 500 or so PSC built M4A1(75)s (approximately 400 small hatch units and 100 large hatch). Many of the large hatch M4A1(75)s were converted to Duplex Drive Swimming Tanks, and a couple of these DDs are on display in France and Great Britain.

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH variants 190311
« Reply #468 on: March 13, 2019, 04:35:10 pm »
Grizzly at Southsea with cast in applique.

Rubicon Models

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #469 on: April 03, 2019, 06:32:43 pm »
After days of German armour, it is time for some Allies one... The prototype for the last M4A1 variant - with large hatch - is done!

In short, the M4A1 will have THREE variants - small hatch, small hatch with direct vision (DV), and large hatch. Once we polish up all the M4A1 drawings, we will send them to the factory for sprue layout, then mould making!



















Enjoy!
;)

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #470 on: April 03, 2019, 07:48:56 pm »
Nice, though not sure what I would do with one.

Rubicon Models

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #471 on: April 03, 2019, 07:49:52 pm »
Nice, though not sure what I would do with one.

Buy one or three and put them in your stash... the usual routine!   ;D

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #472 on: April 03, 2019, 09:16:20 pm »
Nice, though not sure what I would do with one.

Buy one or three and put them in your stash... the usual routine!   ;D
Rumbled....

ripley

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #473 on: April 03, 2019, 09:22:57 pm »
Sad , but true ...

Tracks

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #474 on: April 03, 2019, 10:06:27 pm »
Will all this be in one plastic model kit?
Or will it be two different kits?  - (1) small hatch w/wo DV, and (2) large hatch.
Or will it be three different kits?  - (1) small hatch, (2) small hatch with DV, and (3) large hatch.

Will both the original turret (75mm gun) and T23 turret (76mm gun) be included?

Looking forward to seeing and hearing more details.

Quote from: ripley
Sad , but true ...

Yep.


Rubicon Models

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #475 on: April 03, 2019, 10:14:04 pm »
Will all this be in one plastic model kit?
Or will it be two different kits?  - (1) small hatch w/wo DV, and (2) large hatch.
Or will it be three different kits?  - (1) small hatch, (2) small hatch with DV, and (3) large hatch.
Will both the original turret (75mm gun) and T23 turret (76mm gun) be included?

Don't know yet. Will depend on the number of sprues.  At present, looking at two products:

1) Small hatch + small hatch with DV + original turret & 75mm gun
2) Large hatch + T23 turret & 76mm gun

Seems logical with that arrangement.

EarlyWarGamer

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #476 on: April 04, 2019, 12:48:19 am »
That arrangement makes sense.

H0ffmn

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #477 on: April 04, 2019, 12:57:54 am »
Do you still plan on including the earlier M-3 type suspension with the upcoming  M4A1 small hatch DV  hulled Sherman??

Rubicon Models

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #478 on: April 04, 2019, 01:26:10 am »
Do you still plan on including the earlier M-3 type suspension with the upcoming  M4A1 small hatch DV  hulled Sherman??

Of course, the early M3 type suspension will be included.  That's the whole point of this project.  We had to re-design the complete lower hull AND add the 3-pc transmission housing so that they can be used for future M3 and M7 projects.  That's why it took us so long to complete the M4A1 3d drawings.  A lot of sweat and sleepless nights for our designer!

H0ffmn

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Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - M4A1 LH Prototype 190403
« Reply #479 on: April 04, 2019, 01:39:11 am »
Great !!!!  I can't wait for that to come out