That would be an encouraging development. It is interesting to note that Trumpeter has, on a few occasions, corrected models that were really bollixed up the first time around, and Dragon has made an industry of gradual corrections to many of its models as subsquent versions are brought out. The only problem is you have to know the kit number to make sure you are getting the version WITH the corrections.....
In reading the whole blurb on the HB website, they are apparently marketing this "new" M4A1/76mm(W) as an early production 76mm M4A1. I don't know just how they will delineate that, but it does give them a chance to correct wrong stuff from the first release, should they decide to do so.
Bruce, the description of both M4A1 kits is the same. Early M4A1 76mm Shermans did not have the cover over the ventilator between the RO and driver's hatches and did not have the muzzle brake as on the late-war ones. The ventilator cover comes with the the M4A3 kits. It would be easy to make either version of the M4A1.
Oops, sorry Bruce, I just now understood the point you were making. How are they going to differentiate between the first release and the newest one since they are both early M4A1 76mm ones. My guess is that the first one will be withdrawn.
the problem is that even though production of a superceded version may cease in favor of the corrected kit, there are still thousands of boxes of the lesser kit hanging around in warehouses and popping up on e-bay. That's why there is a need to be particularly careful in such a circumstance.
New box art perhaps? Those of us "in the know" will look for the serial number. The intriquing question is, Why did they do this?. If criticism of their earlier efforts prompted the re-issuing of this kit, dare we hope they will correct the others?
If this is all intentional they have re-released their first kit - the description is identical. Hope they have corrected the hull and the gun, and maybe even the tracks, but we will have to see.
