Codename: Sherman 2016 - 3pc Differential Housing Conversion 210122

[Rubicon Models]

The rear plate on a late production 75mm M4A2.  You can see the tool stowage, and the bolts.  Also the steel cleat tracks.

Think we have the tool stowage on the late models as well .  Not going to do the steel cleat tracks as is difficult to mimic with a single track design.  We might do a resin version later on.

A side view of a late production 75mm M4A2.  The hull appliqué armour is visible.  Nearly all of this variant had appliqué armour because (despite having the revised glacis and large hatches) 'wet' stowage wasn't installed until the upgrade to the 76mm version.  This should be included in the kit.  This version also usually (but not always) had the folding 'shelf' on the rear plate.

The 75/105mm turret sprue is universal for ALL M4 production variants, thus the applique armour is separate... just in case!

[Pinky]

Think we have the tool stowage on the late models as well.

I didn't see it on that murky sprue photo or the 3-D prototype mid-production Sherman III above.

The 75/105mm turret sprue is universal for ALL M4 production variants, thus the applique armour is separate... just in case!

Yes, the turret sprue is beautifully designed - and the separate turret appliqué armour is great because the late production M4A2 didn't have it.  But have you included the hull appliqué armour for the late production M4A2?

[Rubicon Models]

But have you included the hull appliqué armour for the late production M4A2?

Of course!  Will post detail pics of sprue later.  Had been extremely busy going back and forth our China factory because of the Chinese New Year holidays.  Need to get as much new TS sprues from them for test fitting and samples painting.  Otherwise will have 3 full weeks of idling at our HK studio for some of our guys! 

[ultravanillasmurf]

Cool.

Now we just need the second edition army lists to reflect the actual vehicles rather than some progression.

[ripley]

The turret mounted bomb thrower and 2nd aerial mount were modification the Brits had made to their Lend Lease Shermans . They also required the radio moved to the turret ,instead of being mounted beside the bow  gunner which was the way the  US had their tanks set up . The Antenna pot , mounted just above and to the side of the mg was used for extra radios in command tanks . The later style hulls deleated it



Very early Sherman with the rotary gunner's sight ,short 75 with counter weight and  twin fixed bow machine guns ( Very cool IMO )

[Rubicon Models]

More M4A2 prototype goodies...









Enjoy!

[Rubicon Models]

Not enough?  Here's more!











Enjoy!

[Pinky]

Finally!  I've been waiting to see the M4A2(76mm).  The muzzle brake looks soft - is that just a mock-up?  Was the M4A2 (76mm) fitted with extended end connectors?  It looks great, but I've never seen a photo of one, and they were in short supply even for the British and US Shermans in NW Europe.  I didn't think the Soviets (who were the sole users of the M4A2(76mm)) got any.

The mid-production M4A2(75mm) looks great too.  Same point as before regarding the rear plate and tools. 

[Rubicon Models]

Finally!  I've been waiting to see the M4A2(76mm).  The muzzle brake looks soft - is that just a mock-up?  Was the M4A2 (76mm) fitted with extended end connectors?  It looks great, but I've never seen a photo of one, and they were in short supply even for the British and US Shermans in NW Europe.  I didn't think the Soviets (who were the sole users of the M4A2(76mm)) got any.

These are 3D prototypes, and we just mustered whatever spare parts are available to build them.  Getting parts printed are very expensive.

[Pinky]

Just out of interest, what are these 3-D prototypes made of?  It looks like resin, but I assume it's not the resin we normally see.  The finish is very sharp and clean, although I noticed some finger prints, so presumably it is soft when it's just been printed.

[Rubicon Models]

Just out of interest, what are these 3-D prototypes made of?  It looks like resin, but I assume it's not the resin we normally see.  The finish is very sharp and clean, although I noticed some finger prints, so presumably it is soft when it's just been printed.

We printed separate parts from a 3D printer using a resin-type solution.  We still have to clean the parts up before assembly, but because they are from a digital file, they are an exact image of the 3D drawing.  Those "fingerprints" are actually step lines from the printer, an artifact you would expected from a 3D printer (for now).

[Pinky]

Very interesting.  I'd love to see these actual prototypes some time.

Anyway, the M4A2 is shaping up really well.  It's great to see the humble Sherman getting this kind of attention.

[Rubicon Models]

Very interesting.  I'd love to see these actual prototypes some time.

We are going to have an open house for the studio soon!  Interested?

Anyway, the M4A2 is shaping up really well.  It's great to see the humble Sherman getting this kind of attention.

We are very proud at what we've done so far!  Looking forward to get the M4A1 done, and if we've the resources, will get the M4A4 finished too!

[ultravanillasmurf]

, and if we've the resources, will get the M4A4 finished too!

Yippee!

[ultravanillasmurf]

The M4A2 looks great.