Author Topic: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 3pc Differential Housing Conversion 210122  (Read 342443 times)

Pinky

  • Captain
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,726
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 16 - Hull Updated 160907
« Reply #150 on: September 07, 2016, 02:21:33 pm »
Looks as though the glacis, engine deck and rear are going to be optional.

if this is a Firefly (the gun travel lock on the engine deck is for the Firefly and not a standard M4) then the hull MG should be blanked off. 

Rubicon Models

  • Administrator
  • Colonel
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,863
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 16 - Hull Updated 160907
« Reply #151 on: September 07, 2016, 07:49:35 pm »
Looks as though the glacis, engine deck and rear are going to be optional.
if this is a Firefly (the gun travel lock on the engine deck is for the Firefly and not a standard M4) then the hull MG should be blanked off.

The things you've seen in the diagram is a combination of all parts that is possible... ;)

ultravanillasmurf

  • Lieutenant
  • ****
  • Posts: 2,305
    • View Profile
    • Blog:
Re: Codename: Sherman 16 - Hull Updated 160907
« Reply #152 on: September 10, 2016, 07:18:15 pm »
More work being done on our M4 Digital Library project!




Enjoy!
;)
Interesting picture, so I have quoted across to this page.

Is the rear travel lock going to be separate, just as a modelling option rather than a wargaming model?

The colouring to me indicates the enemy aiming point panels (sorry the protective armour welded to the hull) are separate, which would leave an option for early versions.

Pinky

  • Captain
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,726
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 16 - Hull Updated 160907
« Reply #153 on: September 12, 2016, 10:18:33 am »
The colouring to me indicates the enemy aiming point panels (sorry the protective armour welded to the hull) are separate, which would leave an option for early versions.

It's amazing that they would place applique armour in such way as to provide clear aiming points.  Then, to ensure there was no room for error, they painted white stars on them... 

ultravanillasmurf

  • Lieutenant
  • ****
  • Posts: 2,305
    • View Profile
    • Blog:
Re: Codename: Sherman 16 - Hull Updated 160907
« Reply #154 on: September 12, 2016, 03:24:08 pm »
The colouring to me indicates the enemy aiming point panels (sorry the protective armour welded to the hull) are separate, which would leave an option for early versions.

It's amazing that they would place applique armour in such way as to provide clear aiming points.  Then, to ensure there was no room for error, they painted white stars on them...
The first is an engineering solution, we need to add armour over vulnerable points but weight is an issue so we just add it "where needed" even though it highlights "where it is needed", whereas a little thought would have suggested two identical panels on the hillside, cheaper to cut just two identical rather than three different pieces (of course you need more plate which weighs more). Saying that, I have never seen examples of any disguised panels, unlike the painted over stars.

For complexity, try the M4A1 applique armour.

Rubicon Models

  • Administrator
  • Colonel
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,863
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #155 on: September 24, 2016, 03:39:14 pm »
This is the new 75mm/105mm turret for our M4 Digital Library Project.
With a change of guns and mantlets, this turret will be able to provide
you with firepower from a US or British Sherman!

Just wonder which M4 hull we are going to put this? C&C welcome!















Enjoy!
;)

stevepalffy

  • Corporal
  • **
  • Posts: 300
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #156 on: September 24, 2016, 03:49:31 pm »
Looks great....Please produce M4A1 cast hull :-)

Rubicon Models

  • Administrator
  • Colonel
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,863
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #157 on: September 24, 2016, 03:54:23 pm »
Looks great....Please produce M4A1 cast hull :-)

Now that we are looking into redoing the Panzer III and Panzer IV, seems like the
M4A1 will come later due to heavy workload.  Probably Q3/17 or after.

ultravanillasmurf

  • Lieutenant
  • ****
  • Posts: 2,305
    • View Profile
    • Blog:
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #158 on: September 24, 2016, 04:07:01 pm »
Were 105 turrets used on anything other than the "unique" M4(105) hull and the the M4A3 hull?

I would suspect that the M4(105) is unlikely unless an "ultimate" 47° hull can be dressed up to match (I do not know if welded large hatch Shermans are the same basic shape with engine deck variations).

The 105 turret is missing its distinctive second ventilator.

The Firefly turret looks great, my army needs something to scratch the paint of Panzers.

A small hatch M4 with a Firefly option would be my hope.

sandsmodels

  • Private
  • *
  • Posts: 95
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #159 on: September 24, 2016, 04:21:25 pm »
105 turrets were only on late m4 and m4a3.
the only real difference is the cutout on the rear plate and engine decks.
looks good though

Rubicon Models

  • Administrator
  • Colonel
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,863
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #160 on: September 24, 2016, 04:28:03 pm »
We are just putting various guns & mantlets to show the possibilities.
When we paired the turret with a hull, we will then "customise" them
to make them become a "valid" variant.  Right now, just for show...

Pinky

  • Captain
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,726
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #161 on: September 24, 2016, 06:02:35 pm »
Remember when you're dealing with turrets that earlier types had the 'low bustle' turret.  You're very unlikely to get the early mantlet on a 'high bustle' turret with leader's hatch.  When it comes to the Firefly, most were converted using the 'low bustle' turret.

As UVS mentioned, most 105mm turrets had a second ventilator on the bustle. They'd also normally have the later cupola rather than the split hatch.  Something to keep in mind when it comes to designing the actual kits.

If I was designing the Sherman range, it would be something like this:

M4 - both mid-production welded hull and late (composite) hull, 'low bustle' 75mm turret (with narrow and later mantlet) and optional parts for a Firefly.  This would cover the Commonwealth and US Army.

M4A2 - both mid and late production hulls, 'low bustle' 75mm turret and early 76mm turret.  This would cover the Commonwealth, Red Army and US Marines

M4A3 - late production hull, optional tracks with extended end connectors, late 75mm turret and late 76mm turret, optional parts for 105mm turret (i.e. basically the same as the discontinued kit, which had an excellent choice of variants).  This would be exclusively US Army

For interchangeability, the engine decks would be separate, so that (for instance) the late M4A3 hull can be used with the M4 to make an M4 (75mm) - which would leave enough parts for a mid-production M4A3.
« Last Edit: September 27, 2016, 01:12:39 am by Pinky »

sandsmodels

  • Private
  • *
  • Posts: 95
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 75mm/105mm Turret 160924
« Reply #162 on: September 24, 2016, 10:44:57 pm »
i think leaving engine decks as a separate part or parts would be ideal, could make m4, m4a2 and m4a3 from same early or late hulls

Rubicon Models

  • Administrator
  • Colonel
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,863
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 105mm Turret 160926
« Reply #163 on: September 26, 2016, 09:39:44 pm »
On the subject regarding the 105mm turret, we already have included
a rear ventilation with the newer vision cupola option but not shown
previously.  We are also in discussion about a separate turret without
the loader hatch for earlier (British?) 75mm gun turret too!





Further comments?
;)

Pinky

  • Captain
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,726
    • View Profile
Re: Codename: Sherman 2016 - 105mm Turret 160926
« Reply #164 on: September 27, 2016, 01:11:27 am »
The 105mm turret looks right now.

The loader's hatch was a late production turret feature.  So you'll see the turret without that hatch on all early and mid-production Shermans.  Some late Fireflies also had it, instead of the British-designed hatch that was unique to the Firefly.