The all NEW M4A3 Sherman - Decal Update 170212

[Rubicon Models]

The retirement of one comes a new star for the US & Allies... The new M4A3 Sherman!
Hopefully we would like to push forward the release to Q4/16!















Enjoy!

[Pinky]

This is great news.  I guess some would have preferred that you continued to provide the 75mm turret, as the early 76mm turret was relatively rare on the M4A3 hull, but I like the fact that you've focused on the 76mm version, and that you're planning to include figures and stowage.  On the question of stowage, I think it would be worth considering providing a couple of 1-piece stowage pieces similar to the ones you did for the Allied stowage sets i.e. something that's designed to sit on the rear deck.  I think wargamers in particular will welcome this. 

Will there be 2 sets of tracks?  And will the tracks in this kit be compatible with the discontinued M4A3 hull?

[Rubicon Models]

I guess some would have preferred that you continued to provide the 75mm turret, as the early 76mm turret was relatively rare on the M4A3 hull, but I like the fact that you've focused on the 76mm version, and that you're planning to include figures and stowage.

This new release will only have either an early or late 76mm turret.
The M4 Digital Library project is to make all upcoming M4 variants
to be "component" compatible so that major parts can be swapped
during the build.  We will have another M4 variant that come with
the 75/105mm turret.

On the question of stowage, I think it would be worth considering providing a couple of 1-piece stowage pieces similar to the ones you did for the Allied stowage sets i.e. something that's designed to sit on the rear deck.  I think wargamers in particular will welcome this. 

We will include appropriate stowage items from our "Allies Stowage Set",
nothing new is included.

Will there be 2 sets of tracks?  And will the tracks in this kit be compatible with the discontinued M4A3 hull?

Yes, there will be 2 sets of tracks, one with duckbill extenders, one
without.  Both with embossed track details on the front.  If recalled
correctly, these tracks will be compatible with the old M4A3 kit.

[ultravanillasmurf]

Looks good.

What muzzle brake options will be provided? It looks like with muzzle brake and with screw on  protective cover.

When you do the 75/105mm turret, will you include a 76mm barrel for the post war Yugoslavian film star ^___^.

[Rubicon Models]

When you do the 75/105mm turret, will you include a 76mm barrel for the post war Yugoslavian film star ^___^.

As mentioned before, the 75/105mm turret will be on another M4 variant.

What 76mm barrel? 

[ultravanillasmurf]

When you do the 75/105mm turret, will you include a 76mm barrel for the post war Yugoslavian film star ^___^.

As mentioned before, the 75/105mm turret will be on another M4 variant.

What 76mm barrel? 

75mm turrets upgraded with 76mm guns
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/m4a3e4/m4a3e4.html

As seen in Kelly's Heroes.

Not actually in your WW2 remit of course.

[Pinky]

s mentioned before, the 75/105mm turret will be on another M4 variant.

That will be the M4, I assume.  That will mean providing both a mid-production and late-production hull.

You could include the early 76mm turret with the M4A2, and put a (late) 75mm turret in the M4A3 kit instead of having 2 76mm turrets.  Just a thought...

[airborne]

Great news and I`m very pleased, last night I saw your  good bye to the Sherman  and went on Amazon, I got the last of the old from Cavalier Books. So thanks to them and you, I`ll field  three Shermans Still fancy a new one though.

[Rubicon Models]

Here is a preview of the US & British tank crew...



Enjoy!

[Pinky]

Wow, can you get that level of detail on the actual plastic figures?

Remember the M4A3 wasn't used by the British at all.  They used the 75mm version of the M4A2 (the 76mm M4A2s went to the Red Army).

[Rubicon Models]

Wow, can you get that level of detail on the actual plastic figures?

Not to such extend, but we are trying!

Remember the M4A3 wasn't used by the British at all.  They used the 75mm version of the M4A2 (the 76mm M4A2s went to the Red Army).

We are aware of this in a historical sense, but also need to take care of our gamers. 

[ultravanillasmurf]

The British crewman looks good, though I always find the representation of the beret on figures a little odd, useful to have one or more photographs as a real life example.

Would a British Tank commander have a headset?

Remember the M4A3 wasn't used by the British at all. 

One of the reasons that I am more interested in outlier uses of the M4A3 ^__^.

I
They used the 75mm version of the M4A2 (the 76mm M4A2s went to the Red Army).

I think British M4A2s tended to be small hatch hulls, I need to check"Comrade Emcha" but I think the Soviets had both.

[Rubicon Models]

Would a British Tank commander have a headset?

Yes, they usually do.  Unfortunately the timing to get a head with beret & headset
done before sending the project to mould making is way off... so need to do one
without! 

[Pinky]

We are aware of this in a historical sense, but also need to take care of our gamers. 

Does that mean you're also planning to supply markings for non-existent British versions?  Many gamers will also be aware that the US kept the M4A3 exclusively for its own use...

With some clever arranging of the parts, you should be able to produce both common and version-specific sprues for the M4A2 and M4A3, and keep everyone happy. 

I think British M4A2s tended to be small hatch hulls, I need to check"Comrade Emcha" but I think the Soviets had both.

You're right - the British stopped receiving M4A2s before the 'large hatch' hull was introduced.  The Soviets received all versions of the M4A2. 

[Rubicon Models]

The main objective of the M4 Digital Library project is to create all
major components - turrets, hulls, suspensions, tracks, and such
to cover all variants for the M4 Sherman - both US & her allies.

These major components (with all the necessary parts) will then be
grouped and tooled onto specific sprues.  Some of these sprues
will be "common" to all products, while others are specially made
just for that variant.

This is a daunting project for us at Rubicon Models and required
cash flow to fund its development.  The new M4A3 (with which all
components are already on hand) will be a first step to get funding
before the rest of the variants started to roll out next year!

With some common sprues on each variant, it will save us money
and production cost, and we can pass the savings to customers
too!  Of course, like most of our previous kits, there will be some
useless parts for your bits box!

We are looking into doing two generic M4 decal sheets for US and
Commonwealth countries.  We are rescheduling some of our mould
making priorities and hopefully be able to release the newly tooled
M4A3 before the end of this year!