Codename: Sherman 2016 - 3pc Differential Housing Conversion 210122

[Pinky]

The front upper hull on this M4A2 has the direct vision ports,not the built up armor around the driver and radio operator's small hatches, that Rubicon shows in their 3-D drawings.
 That would be great if Rubicon made the direct vision ports as an option in their upcoming new M-4 kits,as well with the ones that they show in their 3-D drawings. Even as just an alternate front upper hull piece with the direct vision ports

True, and well spotted.  I agree it would be great if Rubicon could provide an alternative glacis with direct vision ports.

[Pinky]

The front upper hull on this M4A2 has the direct vision ports,not the built up armor around the driver and radio operator's small hatches, that Rubicon shows in their 3-D drawings.
 That would be great if Rubicon made the direct vision ports as an option in their upcoming new M-4 kits,as well with the ones that they show in their 3-D drawings. Even as just an alternate front upper hull piece with the direct vision ports

True, and well spotted.  The direct vision ports were being superseded by this time, so you see both types hull hatches in photos.  I agree it would be great if Rubicon could provide an alternative glacis with direct vision ports.  As well as a bolted transmission cover.

[H0ffmn]

I agree with you ,Pinky. I would like to see the three piece bolted transmission cover  as an option as well.

[Rubicon Models]

Our M4 Sherman with Large Hatch, VVSS or HVSS suspension, revised 75/105mm turret...



Enjoy!

[ultravanillasmurf]

Were there any large hatch M4s with a 75mm gun?

[Pinky]

Were there any large hatch M4s with a 75mm gun?

Yes, but they switched to the cast/rolled hull for the late 75mm M4.

[ultravanillasmurf]

Were there any large hatch M4s with a 75mm gun?

Yes, but they switched to the cast/rolled hull for the late 75mm M4.

Were all large hatch M4 75mm composite/hybrid hulls?

[Pinky]

The cast / rolled hull predated the 76mm turret.  So late production 75mm M4s had the hybrid hull.  For some reason, when the M4 hull was subsequently upgraded to the all-welded large hatch version, it was only used for the 105mm turret.  The US Army had decided to standardise the M4A3 for its own use by then, so it seems strange they'd bother continuing production of the M4 just for the 105mm version.  Maybe it was because there were never enough M4A3s.

[ultravanillasmurf]

The cast / rolled hull predated the 76mm turret.  So late production 75mm M4s had the hybrid hull.  For some reason, when the M4 hull was subsequently upgraded to the all-welded large hatch version, it was only used for the 105mm turret.  The US Army had decided to standardise the M4A3 for its own use by then, so it seems strange they'd bother continuing production of the M4 just for the 105mm version.  Maybe it was because there were never enough M4A3s.

My guess is engine availability/cost. Is the large hatch Chrysler M4 hull identical to the large hatch Chrysler M4A3 hull with the exception of the engine deck and other engine related details (such as the scoops behind the lifting rings)?

[Rubicon Models]

On the topic of Sherman production cost, I come across this...

During the production life of the Sherman, the US government spend almost $250 billion on building Sherman tanks, and the contracted price for each tank depended on the variant, the supplier and the date.

The problem became sufficiently serious that in May 1943 the US Bureau of the Budget raised fundamental questions regarding the discrepancies between the various plants.  For example, although the average 1945 price paid by the US government was $49,793, against a projected cost of $42,400, tanks produced by the Detroit Tank Arsenal consistently came in at well below this figure... indeed, in September 1943 Chrysler told the US government it would reduce the price of various tanks being constructed after the end of June 1944 by almost $11 million due to economics and efficiencies.

At the other end of the scale, construction of the Sherman at the Fisher Tank Arsenal in 1942 alone saw General Motors invoice the US government for $256,918,000 and the company was subsequently forced to reconsider its unit price of $67,173.  Federal Machine & Welder received a whopping $70,000 for each M4A2 that they constructed.  Both GM and Federal Machine & Welder were working on fixed-price contracts that, in practice, turned out to be little more than estimates.

Would like one for the price of a luxury mid-size car today

[Pinky]

Interesting that the tanks which were mostly sent to the Soviets were the most expensive...

[ultravanillasmurf]

Interesting that the tanks which were mostly sent to the Soviets were the most expensive...

Maybe they thought Stalin would repay the lend-lease fees (in addition to be materials that were brought back in payment).

Our last cash payment was in 2006 (plus all the tech and access).

[Rubicon Models]

Some more work done on the various M4 hulls...

Several more hulls needed to be done, including M4 composite and M4A1...



Enjoy!

[Pinky]

Looking good.

The Firefly hull could have the blanked-off machine gun position moulded on.  No need to make the armoured 'plug' a separate piece - assuming that hull is solely intended for the Firefly.

[ultravanillasmurf]

Excellent.

It could be M4/Firefly.