Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
The year of Shermans? Meng
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Thursday, April 11, 2019 - 11:24 PM UTC

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Has some clairvoyant member devined a release date?



Seriously, that's the million $ question - when is the release date? I may buy a couple to get the first batch metal barrels.




OOOOH! The metal barrels! Those are the ones that cost MENG about 2 and a 1/2 cents per barrel to make, this being China after all...
Frenchy
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Posted: Thursday, April 11, 2019 - 11:49 PM UTC

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Sure we're all a fine gang of francophobes but the markings are cool. Hopefully Meng will put French markings in a kit.



Some are available from Star Decals

H.P.
Bravo1102
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Posted: Thursday, April 11, 2019 - 11:59 PM UTC

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Sure we're all a fine gang of francophobes but the markings are cool. Hopefully Meng will put French markings in a kit.



Some are available from Star Decals

H.P.



Got'em. But you know how it is, I'd like to see some kits with the markings already in them.

Before Star was around, I did a custom sheet too. According to Chars Francais there was an M4A4 named Nostradamus. Naturally I sold off the kit with the sheet and lost the artwork.
HermannB
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 01:30 AM UTC
Looks like a Sherman "arms race" has started.

https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry
/37819


I wish that some would do better FMTV truck to replace the mediocre Trumpeter kits.
barkingdigger
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 02:17 AM UTC

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the Asuka kits are starting to age causing poor quality parts (especially for their price). Sink marks, flash, mismatched and short-shot parts.... I'm very excited for this release.



Can't say I've had any flash, sink marks or short shots, but then most of mine are the older Tasca boxings. I've read other complaints about the Asuka kits that makes me wonder if the company changeover affected QC as well as the soaring prices.
nsjohn
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 04:01 AM UTC

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Hence I said almost exclusively used by the U.S.



Nothing wrong with that... The British liked Shermans enough to mount their excellent 17-pounders in them, did they not..?



Not M4A3, or M4A2, we didn't. Fireflies were only converted from M4, M4 hybrid, or M4A4.

I LIKE Shermans. My current build happens to be a M4A3 75(W) and I have 3 others in the stash to build, including a M4A2 76. I agree the more the merrier, and would welcome , particularly the earlier small hatch versions, which offer far more possibilities for time periods etc, as they were in front line service from 1942 onwards, rather than the 76's which were only reluctantly allocated from July 44. I was merely asking why someone had a preference for M4A2, rather than one of the other versions.
retiredyank
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 04:02 AM UTC

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Looks like a Sherman "arms race" has started.

https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry
/37819




I am aware of track link. However, your link leads to nothing.
jbilbrey01
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 04:39 AM UTC

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Looks like a Sherman "arms race" has started.

https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry
/37819




Rye Field Models had announced their M4A3E8 at one of the recent (Tokyo?) trade shows.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/rye-field-model-rm-5026-us-sherman-m4a3e8--1194126
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 07:47 AM UTC

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Hence I said almost exclusively used by the U.S.



Nothing wrong with that... The British liked Shermans enough to mount their excellent 17-pounders in them, did they not..?



Not M4A3, or M4A2, we didn't. Fireflies were only converted from M4, M4 hybrid, or M4A4.

I LIKE Shermans. My current build happens to be a M4A3 75(W) and I have 3 others in the stash to build, including a M4A2 76. I agree the more the merrier, and would welcome , particularly the earlier small hatch versions, which offer far more possibilities for time periods etc, as they were in front line service from 1942 onwards, rather than the 76's which were only reluctantly allocated from July 44. I was merely asking why someone had a preference for M4A2, rather than one of the other versions.



Hi there, Norman!

I DIDN'T mention any SPECIFIC M4A2s or M4A3s of the US M4-series that the British liked, did I? Read my post again. Otherwise, I'll AGREE to everything you've said...

IMO, I would MUCH RATHER have seen MENG come out with the earlier M4/M4A1 56-degree (Dry) Hull US and British Shermans...

BTW- When it was found that the new US M4A3 76mm (Wet) was STILL inadequate when combating against the Tigers' and Panthers' FRONTAL armor, the usually amiable and conciliatory Supreme Allied Commander (Europe), General Eisenhower, had a terrible FIT of temper! Eisenhower had been assured that the new 76mm Main Gun would take care of any and all German armor, which we all know, it didn't, unless it was with a lucky shot, using the special Tank Destroyer "hot" ammunition... Certain US Army Officers' heads rolled...

Conversely, certain units of US Army M4 Medium-series Tankers in North Western Europe found other ways to destroy German armor, i.e Panthers and Tigers- This would be too lengthy an explanation of the tactics, gun-laying and types of ammunition used in order to achieve this, and to discuss in this particular thread at this particular time, but yes this WAS done...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 08:21 AM UTC

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Looks like a Sherman "arms race" has started.

https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry
/37819


I wish that some would do better FMTV truck to replace the mediocre Trumpeter kits.



AGREE on the FMTV Trucks...

A Sherman "arms race" is LONG OVERDUE!!! BRONCO's upcoming Canadian Ram kit will be very welcome, too!

WHERE are MINIART's US and British M3 Lees and Grants???
27-1025
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 08:50 AM UTC

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the Asuka kits are starting to age causing poor quality parts (especially for their price). Sink marks, flash, mismatched and short-shot parts.... I'm very excited for this release.



Can't say I've had any flash, sink marks or short shots, but then most of mine are the older Tasca boxings. I've read other complaints about the Asuka kits that makes me wonder if the company changeover affected QC as well as the soaring prices.



I’ve got a bunch of Asuka kits in the stash and they seem every bit as good as my older Tasca offerings. Just got the ‘Cougar’ M4A3 75 and the parts look great on the sprue. That being said I’m looking forward to the Meng release and hope they do a bunch more variants. I may not live long enough to do them all but I’m gonna try.......
mudcake
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 10:47 AM UTC
https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry/37819/flat
Pongo_Arm
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 10:52 AM UTC
I want to see all the different engine versions with full interior and engines. Not enough attention to that, I want the radial, the diesel the multi bank and the V8 ford...ALL of them
jasegreene
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 10:57 AM UTC
Year of the Sherman is perfect with me.There are just a couple of variants I still hope to see.First would have to be the M50 upgraded sherman and M4A1E9.These Meng Shermans do look great though and do look forward to what else they have planned for the M4.
27-1025
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 11:41 AM UTC

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https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry/37819/flat



The news just keeps getting better; but I do wonder if they go to all the trouble of workable tracks and HVSS suspension why not just pull the trigger and give us a complete interior?
Dinocamo
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 12:02 PM UTC
I'm also waiting for a Sherman with interior, in specifically the HVSS variants. Having the T-34/85 interior from AFV and the Tiger I from RFM, the Sherman is on the very top of my wish list.

On the subject about the versions, the M4A2 76W HVSS (or M4A2E8 76) was used to replace the Sherman Grizzly I as the training vehicle, and Canadian tankers then used the M4A3 76W HVSS during the Korea War (according to the vet at my tiny local museum). Even though it was only training vehicle, it is still somewhat nice to have.

Im not sure if the Soviet did get the HVSS variant of the M4A2 76W or not because most of the info give me the VVSS variant. I do know that the Russia has some M4A2 76W HVSS in museum, though, I hear that they are savaged around the world and from bottom of the sea.

The M4A1 76W HVSS was used by the French and some 3rd world countries.
nsjohn
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 12:50 PM UTC
According to the Sherman Tank website the Soviets did receive some HVSS M4A2 tanks prior to the end of the war
Bravo1102
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Posted: Friday, April 12, 2019 - 11:50 PM UTC

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The M4A1 76W HVSS was used by the French and some 3rd world countries.



The M4A1 76mm HVSS was also widely used by the US Army National Guard. Ever see the original War of the Worlds from the 1950s? California National Guard M4A1E8.

In fact I'm doing a NJ Guard vehicle right now in tandem with a M4A3E8. Huge armored triangle insignia on front and sides.

And I'm on board with putting less effort into working suspension with huge parts count and putting in interior. You know that turret double hatch is huge and a figure rarely fills it adequately. Gun breech, a couple of seats and a radio at the very least.

When it comes to interior bits among kits, the Sherman is among the least well served. How many T-34, pzkpfw IV have full machine guns? Yet Sherman (other than the ancient Italeri kits) all have stub barrels. I think the only large scale Sherman with a 75mm gun breach was the Monogram kit from the 1970s.
ninjrk
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 01:05 AM UTC

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The M4A1 76W HVSS was used by the French and some 3rd world countries.



The M4A1 76mm HVSS was also widely used by the US Army National Guard. Ever see the original War of the Worlds from the 1950s? California National Guard M4A1E8.

In fact I'm doing a NJ Guard vehicle right now in tandem with a M4A3E8. Huge armored triangle insignia on front and sides.

And I'm on board with putting less effort into working suspension with huge parts count and putting in interior. You know that turret double hatch is huge and a figure rarely fills it adequately. Gun breech, a couple of seats and a radio at the very least.

When it comes to interior bits among kits, the Sherman is among the least well served. How many T-34, pzkpfw IV have full machine guns? Yet Sherman (other than the ancient Italeri kits) all have stub barrels. I think the only large scale Sherman with a 75mm gun breach was the Monogram kit from the 1970s.



I'm biased in some respects but I think the cast hull M4A1 with the 76mm cannon is the most attractive of M4's. So I'll always be happy to see another if one comes out. And a kit with an interior is well overdue.
m4sherman
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 04:43 AM UTC

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When it comes to interior bits among kits, the Sherman is among the least well served. How many T-34, pzkpfw IV have full machine guns? Yet Sherman (other than the ancient Italeri kits) all have stub barrels. I think the only large scale Sherman with a 75mm gun breach was the Monogram kit from the 1970s.



Actually, the now old Tamiya early M4 kit (35190) comes with a 75mm gun breach, guard, and radio. Rather basic parts though. Many newer German armor models come with much of the turret interior, even if they are not interior kits. We need the same for our Shermans.

I am curious about the part of the description that states "High strength workable tracks with duckbill end connectors". Are they some super plastic? Metal? It will be interesting to find out.
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 04:43 AM UTC

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They also all did panthers and tigers. It is about opportunity to sell a product. If they can do it better than the others, or hit the next generation of modelers, the kit will sell. If they offer a few extra bits, like stowage or a figure, or include casting marks, it would add to the appeal of the kit. At the very least, it would be expected the kit would offer better detail than Academy or Italeri at a better price than Dragon.

These new releases highlight the problem of maintaining a stash. You buy kits that at the time are the best (or only) available of the subject and then a better offering comes along. What do you do with the old kits?



What do you do with the old kits when a new one comes along..? The many manufacturers don't care what ANYONE does with their old kits; they only care enough for customers to buy their NEW ones...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 04:56 AM UTC

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When it comes to interior bits among kits, the Sherman is among the least well served. How many T-34, pzkpfw IV have full machine guns? Yet Sherman (other than the ancient Italeri kits) all have stub barrels. I think the only large scale Sherman with a 75mm gun breach was the Monogram kit from the 1970s.



Actually, the now old Tamiya early M4 kit (35190) comes with a 75mm gun breach, guard, and radio. Rather basic parts though. Many newer German armor models come with much of the turret interior, even if they are not interior kits. We need the same for our Shermans.

I am curious about the part of the description that states "High strength workable tracks with duckbill end connectors". Are they some super plastic? Metal? It will be interesting to find out.



Hi, Randall!

I was going to post something similar to what you did, regarding the old TAMIYA 35190 M4 kit- You beat me to it, so that's OK, too...

Re: The Tracks of the new MENG M4A3 76mm (Wet)- I should think that a set of metal Tracks a la FRIULISMO would be too expensive, unless MENG plans to sell this kit in the $100.00 + USD neighborhood. Anyone price metal Track sets lately..? One needs to arrange a second mortgage on the house in order to afford metal Tracks any more...

ONE of my guesses would be that these new SUPER-DUPER "High-Strength Workable Tracks" COULD be conventional styrene plastic "Indy-link" Tracks, molded in upper and lower Track Pad halves, a la BRONCO; these COULD possibly utilize ONE-PIECE cast-metal(?) Track Pins/Track End-Connectors/Track Guides of some sort, SANDWICHED between the upper and lower Track Pad halves..? This would give the Tracks more strength, but this is only ONE possibility. IMO, by MENG producing these new Tracks in this fashion would also seem to be an unduly expensive way for MENG to manufacture ANY of the various types of Sherman VVSS-style Tracks. HVSS-style Tracks are of a totally different design, and I would think that MENG could manufacture them by more conventional means.

It would also seem, to me anyway, that MENG would be better-off if they just cast the Tracks in ONE-PIECE METAL Indy links, with the Track Pins cast integrally at the ends of the Track Pads. Cast metal Track End-Connectors/Track Guides could possibly be attached to the Pads by "press-fit"... Yes, no, maybe..?

IF MENG discovered some "High-Strength" specially-formulated plastic, there is STILL the question of the End-Connectors/Track Guides which would necessarily have to be manufactured separately, in order connect the VVSS-style Track Pads- Wouldn't it be cheaper for MENG just to come up with a better-formulated "DS"-style PLASTIC and manufacture conventional but nearly universally-detested "Rubber-Band" Tracks..?

HOWEVER, one wonders what EXACTLY could constitute, or justify the 1200 + parts count..? My money is on some form of "Indy-Links" AND an INTERIOR...

Opinions..?
barkingdigger
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 05:35 AM UTC
Not sure about those "torsion bars" on a Sherman, but my guess about the track is they could be using an engineering plastic like Tamiya used on its Mk IV WWI tank so they aren't as breakable as styrene. Time will tell...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 06:36 AM UTC

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Not sure about those "torsion bars" on a Sherman, but my guess about the track is they could be using an engineering plastic like Tamiya used on its Mk IV WWI tank so they aren't as breakable as styrene. Time will tell...



Which "Torsion Bars" are you referring to..? ON a Sherman..? There WAS however, at least ONE M4A2 which was tested with a six-Double-Road Wheel (per side) Torsion-Bar Suspension, using wider 24-inch Tracks, Sprockets and Rear Idlers. The HVSS-type Suspension was adopted, instead...
M4A1Sherman
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Posted: Saturday, April 13, 2019 - 06:42 AM UTC

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Looks like a Sherman "arms race" has started.

https://www.track-link.com/forums/news_industry
/37819




I am aware of track link. However, your link leads to nothing.



Hi, Matt!

The link DOES lead to SOMETHING- You just need to scroll down a little way; I nearly didn't find the little Track Link news tid-bit, either...