Hi All
I am finally getting around to building some M4 Shermans. Now checking webs sites and books ie Hunnicutt etc for research and I have come to some conculsions and have some questions.
conculsion no1 There is alot of knowledge out there of variants/types but nobody seems to have produced something for the modeller to use as a easyish reference for visual feature on models/year. Hence for example there is confusion among us non experts like just when did they stop riviting lower hull and start welding them, did all factories stop/start this at the same time.
Q no1 Has any body produced a matrix on factory producing/ Variant / production features/ month and year of production?
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I know there were post build modifications at depot/field level. But with the matrix you could at least be confident that the M4 left the factory in a particular configuration. Then you have a starting point.
I understand the basic M4 types and how they are ID'ed. However I don't believe in the case of anything goes. Each assembly plant will have its own feeder company/s with their own slight differnces and also improvements were introduced by different assembly plants at different time lines. Even when its at the combat unit there is some degree of control.
If nobody does such a matrix, I am prepared to start one and give it ago.
I'm thinking like an excell spreadsheet type thing with year/month along the top and production variantions along the left side (ie 3 piece/cast transmission) and a tick in the box /column. Each Variant like M4, M4A1, M4A3 would have its own sheet even each factory if needed.
I'm only talking about external visual differences not which size brass pipe they used in the engine bay. i'm not that stupid!
If any body has any ideas suggestions please post here. Better still has it been done?
I will be away from my computer during next week so I will check in when i'm back. then if if worth a go perhaps I can then contact people direct if they wish.
now thats put the fox in the hen house.
BFN
andrew
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