M4A3E2 Jumbo Resin Conversion Kit

[oreoc23]

Any chance of doing a "Resin Conversion Kit" for your M4A3 / M4A3E8 Sherman Item# 280042? I bought the Company B "AFV M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman universal conversion kit" and it just doesn't fit the Rubicon Kit! You have already redone the M4A3 Main Kit... That part is done! You would just need to add a 75mm Cannon Barrel (Done); a new, Up-Armored, enlarged T23 Turret; the modified M62 Gun Mount; the new, up-armored  Final Drive Housing; and the Left Side, Right Side and Front Upper Armored add-on parts. 

The T-23 Turret could be either the Union Steel (known as the rounded or "soft" lower edge) or the Ordnance Steel Foundry (also known as the OSF or the "hard" edge). OR even both!

The M4A3 / M4A3E8 Sherman Item# 280042 kit already the 76mm Barrels for the 76mm Gun Up-Grade; as well as providing the VVSS "Duck-Bill" tracks. The "Vision" Turret Cupola is also with the current kit!

The Sherman Minutia Website has an excellent Page on the Jumbo:
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/manufacturer/m4a3e2jumbo/m4a3e2.html


I hope you'll consider this Resin Conversion Kit!

[ultravanillasmurf]

One of the problems is that to be accurate, there would need to be a new set of running gear and tracks, the additional weight alters the ride height noticeably (admitedly not so much that manufacturers use the same running gear).

There is an example in the Osprey book on modelling the M4 76mm. 

[oreoc23]

IF Rubicon were to produce a "Resin Conversion Kit" even with the thought of using the Rubicon M4A3 / M4A3E8 Sherman Kit / Item# 280042, the Duckbill Suspension would still be "more accurate" than any other 1/56th Scale Resin Kit out there! I don't know of any other Company that puts out an M4A3E2 Jumbo in plastic... And the Resin Kits I've seen don't have the "Duckbills!" 

The picture below of the Jumbo at Camp Ripley, while stripped inside, it's still a 70 year old and the "Track Tension" isn't correct, but I don't see that much sag in the Road Wheels... I'm not concerned about 1mm sag on a scale model. For the IPMS Modeler, it might be something that concerns you guys! For me it's a "Gaming Piece!" I want/need/desire a "75mm & 76mm Turret!"

I know Rubicon isn't going to Spend the Time,  Effort & Money on producing another M4A3 Kit in plastic. I believe this is an "inexpensive alternative" to fill the "Jumbo Gap!" I'm hoping there's enough interest in the Community to get the Rubicon Team to at least come up with and produce a Jumbo Resin Conversion Kit. IF successful, it means they sell at least a "Resin Jumbo Kit" & another  M4A3 / M4A3E8 Sherman Kit / Item# 280042!

[Pinky]

I agree this would be a very good subject for a resin upgrade set (given we won't likely be getting an all-plastic Jumbo any time soon).  I don't like resin kits much, but resin add-ons are fine.  I agree it wouldn't need new tracks; the existing 'duckbills' are fine.  So it would mean either a new hull (or armour panels to attach to the plastic M4A3E8 hull) and a new turret.  I would hope there were no metal parts, as I really dislike metal components on plastic or resin vehicles.

[ultravanillasmurf]

I bow to your experience and knowledge on the running gear (though oreoc23 does mention the example above has been gutted).

Page 46 of Osprey Modelling 40 for an example.

Having seen their work on the ARV, I would go for a new integral upper hull and transmission cover.