Codename: Sherman 2016 - 3pc Differential Housing Conversion 210122

[ultravanillasmurf]

My assumption has always been that is the mould line

[H0ffmn]

The early vvss suspension and three piece bolted transmission cover look very nice. One suggestion for the  early .vvss suspension arms, to which the wheels are attached . The upper portion of the  arm is not a channel looking arm, but a flat  solid arm

[Rubicon Models]

The last of the M4 Sherman Digital Library (excluding the M4A4)...
The M4A1 is most anticipated because of its 3 piece transmission housing and the early bogie.
Both parts open up possibilities like the M3 Lee/Grant and the M7 Priest as future projects.









Enjoy!

[Pinky]

It's great to see this reaching the prototype stage.

As has been discussed previously, the intial version of the M4A1 with M3-style bogies also had direct vision ports in the hull front.  The M3 bogies were replaced quite early in production, so an M4A1 with these would not have applique armour.  In other words, this M4A1 hull should have the later M4 bogies.

The bulges around the front hatches also seem to be too pronounced, but maybe it's just the digital image.

Very few of the early Shermans with M3-style bogies survived past 1943, but there were a couple still in service in Italy in 1945.  These early Shermans mostly served with the British, and the US Army in Tunisia.  Here's a 'classic' early M4A1 (Sherman II) in British service in late 1942:
 

[Tracks]

The M4A1 is most anticipated because of its 3 piece transmission housing and the early bogie.
Both parts open up possibilities like the M3 Lee/Grant and the M7 Priest as future projects.

Now we are talking! Not so much for the M7 Priest, but for the M3 Lee/Grant (Medium Tank M3).

Because the Lee/Grant saw action in the Pacific, Africa, and Europe, and was used by several countries including the Americans, Australians, British, Canadians, and Soviets, I think a Rubicon Models plastic M3 Lee/Grant will be a very good seller! Also, no one else makes a 1:56 (28mm) scale plastic model kit of the M3 Lee/Grant, and Rubicon Models has a reputation of making great kits.

I just hope Rubicon Models jumps on this M3 Lee/Grant project before someone else does! - hint, hint. 

[ripley]

The old M3 style wheels show up on a knocked out Sherman at one of the big stadiums in Nurnberg Germany May 45 . IRC it was with a unit that came  from the Italian theatre .  Either way a M4A1 with either style wheels is OK by me . Limitations in the one piece molding process will result in mold lines , sometimes in places you wish they weren't ( track pads ) , but a little sanding , liquid green stuff or some mud and problem solved .

[elias.tibbs]

All the tracks are interchangeable anyway.

[ultravanillasmurf]

Hood shape:

This is the Grizzly formerly at IWM Duxford.


I have some photographs of the Grizzly at Southsea somewhere.

[H0ffmn]

Rubicon, if you are going to take the effort to make the M3 type suspension for the M4A1, you really should make the early version hull with the direct vision ports in the hull. As Pinky said, a majority of the M4A1 with the M-3 type suspension would have been with the direct vision ports in the hull.
 Also, no  one else have attempted to make a 1/56 with direct vision ports, except for a horrible attempt by Warlord on a undersized Sherman mk.III hull.
 Again, the M-3 type upper suspension arms are flat, not with raised edges, or channel shaped as you show in your drawings. Both of the pictures posted by Ripley and Pinky  show the upper suspension arms a flat piece.
 I know the channel shaped upper suspension arms could be filled in with putty, but why not make them correctly to begin with??

[ultravanillasmurf]

Again, the M-3 type upper suspension arms are flat, not with raised edges, or channel shaped as you show in your drawings. Both of the pictures posted by Ripley and Pinky  show the upper suspension arms a flat piece.

Michael also has flat upper suspension arms.
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/the_oldest_sherman/index.html
Have a look at photograph three.

[ripley]

Could be flat or channel . I found a picture of a late M3 with  both styles of upper arms . Now weather it was a different suppler of cast parts or an upgrade for strength  might also be a way to save steel , I not sure  . The  Sherman went into production using Lee parts ( some had the 3 piece nose with the cut out on the 75mm gun side )  , so it makes sense the early Sherman would have the later Lee parts , Notice 1st and 2nd wheel sets have different upper bars . I'm going to give Rubicon a pass on this one    From Squadron/ Signal  M3  Lee/Grant Walk Around  #5712 pg 5

[H0ffmn]

Looking through Military Miniatures In Review's Modeler's Guide to the Sherman, it  states that the channel shaped upper suspension arm , called levers in this book , was common to all type 2 bogie trucks, the later bogie trucks with the rear positioned return roller and skid. It also states ' Keep in mind,that many of the bogie truck details shown can be mixed and matched to other units so additional variations are to be expected ' .
  The channel shaped 'lever' could be a replacement part.

[Rubicon Models]

Eye candy for our M4A1 small hatch prototypes which include early, mid and late variants.
We are also working on other M4A1 models as well... so don't panic!









Enjoy!

[Pinky]

For the reasons explained, the model on the right can't be a "early to mid production" vehicle.  The M3 suspension disappeared quite quickly.

That point aside, they certainly look good.  Although I'm not entirely sure the hoods are right - they should have a softer curve rather than jutting out of the glacis.  Look at the lines on this M4A1:

[ultravanillasmurf]

For the reasons explained, the model on the right can't be a "early to mid production" vehicle.  The M3 suspension disappeared quite quickly.

Maybe  "early to mid production" hull with early suspension?

Not looking forward to adding the applique armour, having seen the crazy paving on some hulls.

I still need to so out my Grizzly photographs.