Codename: Sherman 2016 - 3pc Differential Housing Conversion 210122

[elias.tibbs]

Yep!

[ultravanillasmurf]

Would be nice to get a small and large hatch version

You are a spoiled kid... by us, lol.

You know us so well...

[elias.tibbs]

And the same request when you get around to doing the M4A3 (75) too..

[Pinky]

Rubicon have indicated that they are doing the parts for an early M4A1 (vertical bogies, bolted transmission housing), so we could be looking at different M4A1 hulls - early small hatch with direct vision ports, later small hatch, perhaps with applique armour, and large hatch (76mm) version.  If there is an early M4A1 in the works, I would hope it also includes the British pattern sandshields, although that might be asking for too much...

[ripley]

Would the sand shields be the same as on the  SF sprue that's  found in the M4 and M4 hybrid kit ? If so its just an easy add to the M4A1 kit .  Really looking forward to the A1 , my fav version of the Sherman . Got an urge to build one with the twin bow machine guns

[Pinky]

They were different (I can't post photos so I can't put up an example). But now you mention it, it looks as though the sandshields fabricated by the British for the Sherman were fairly quickly replaced by the factory installed type (i.e. the ones on the Rubicon sprue).  So I guess there's no real need for another set of sandshields in an early M4A1 kit.

[ripley]

Would they have had the REME guys copy the ones from the Grant ? The Brits  were pretty good at fabricating stuff they found they needed in combat , the sun shield fake canvas / steel  truck body for tanks , the NA 75 Churchill and the Firefly conversion late war to name 3

[Pinky]

Same pattern as the Grant.  Here's an example:

[ripley]

We'll just wait for the Rubicon Lee / Grant then ....they going to make one soon  I hope    Actually I want one now !

[Rubicon Models]

After almost 2 weeks of travelling with our marketing team, finally had a chance to update our work desks with new progress on the Sherman project...





Enjoy!

[ultravanillasmurf]

On the lower picture the teeth seem to be missing from the inside of the track links. Is it that they are not present on the existing track and I have not noticed?

[ultravanillasmurf]

There is a new article on French Shermans on the Minutiae site.
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/french_shermans/french_shermans.html

[Pinky]

On the lower picture the teeth seem to be missing from the inside of the track links. Is it that they are not present on the existing track and I have not noticed?

They were never there.  Otherwise the tracks would need to be cast in 2 pieces.

Good to see the early features taking shape.

[ultravanillasmurf]

They were never there.  Otherwise the tracks would need to be cast in 2 pieces.

I did think that after I wrote it and I do not have access to my models.

My tablet is stuck in portrait mode and the inside of the track is the only part that shows on the picture so it was very obvious.

[Tracks]

Quick question:
Is that line running down the rubber track blocks by designed, or is it simply the visuals showing possible mold lines and or part seams?

The lines on the rubber blocks match those of the wheels on the bogies, so I would guess this is showing possible mold lines and or part seams, but I wanted to double check and also to say it is good to see progress because I suspect that these parts are for the M4A1.

Could that same track part(s) be used for a M3 Medium tank model kit?