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While checking out the "Quarter Scale" web site I discovered that Oliver is now listing for sale the M-7 "Priest" conversion set for the Tamiya Sherman, and the SU-152 conversion set for the Tamiya KV kit. Both are way up on my need list, and on the web site they look beautiful. Cheers, Alan Vandam
Notice anything odd about the built up Priest shown in the catalog ??????? Please note this is not meant in a mean spirited way, just thought it was interesting as I sit here with tongue in cheek. Again, just a trivial observation.......no knickers twisted please.......
A fantastic job on the conversion set - I am sure that the Priest conversion is going to be a huge winner
Just the thing for spicing up your Sherman builds! Keep the kit instructions though
...especially because it does have some later features including the vented storage bins on the rear of the superstructure. Additional pics are on M-L:
Having a closer look at my "The New Breed", and it seems pretty far away from a British desert Priest. Needs square sand shields, rubber block track, M3 bogies, and unvented (?) stowage box lids. At least.
the conversion looks like a late model, because it had the hinged plates on the side to protect the ammunition.
The British only had the early version without the plates. The chassis as from the M3.
The main advantage of this conversion is, that it can be build from the spare box.
Moulds curing as I write.... I'll get the first batch cast up this week, along with the 3-bar steel tracks. Watch this space. And don't forget, the T62 and T54E1 tracks are already on sale. www.fighting48th-shop.com , on the accessories page.
An apochryphal story maybe, but nonetheless appropriate; When Burt Rutan started selling kits of parts and instructions for his Vari-Eze canard aircraft, it was one of the first to use foam/fibreglass/resin construction, so for many builders, this was a whole new ball game over the older wood and fabric methods. His instructions went into great detail on how to cut the foam then lay up the fibreglass, first on one wing, then the other. Builders would usually take great care with the first, ti being all new to them, but then realizing how straightforward the process was would plough on quickly and get the other wing under way. At this point in the instructions, builders would then discover a little form to fill in, so they could send their name and address details to the designer. He could then put them in touch with other builders in their neighbourhood. Why? Because usually, carried away by their excitement and enthusiasm, builders would then discover they had built two LEFT (or right) wings!! The address exchange was so they could swap wings with someone who had made the same error, in reverse!
Wouldn't surprise me if a pic of a real Sherman didn't surface with this same arrangement. In fact, I think I saw a shot of some kind of Canadian construction machinery (road, timber??)...built from a Sherman lower hull and painted bright orange...that had the bogies reversed. Or maybe there was too much lime in the cerveza that day.
Although this is an impressive looking M7B1 conversion, unfortunately, it is of little use to us Commonwealth modelers. If I understand correctly, the M7 (based on the M3 chassis / hull) was issued to Britain under leand-lease and quantities from these stocks were alloted to Canadian units, including artillery units in the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division for Normandy (capable of direct fire support from the landing craft) and employed to the end of July 1944. The "defrocked" Priests were then used in a variety of roles including APC and artillery GPO vehicles. After Juy 1944 artillery in the infantry divisions reverted to towed 25pdr while artillery in the armoured divisions were equiped with 25pdr Sextons. I don't believe the improved M7B1 was ever issued to Commonwealth units. It would be nice if somebody brought out an M3 to enable an M7 conversion. I would also like to see a Sexton. And while we are on the subject, how about a Canadian Military Pattern field artillery tractor / limber / 25 pdr combo? Yes, I'm getting completely carried away here but I can always dream can't I?
It's a M7 with some mid/late production features. A M7B1 would have M4A3 features such as the engine deck doors and exhaust outlets mounted on the rear plate. The B1 also had the late one piece cast differential housing. See this link: http://www.network54.com/Forum/527528/thread/1211811375/M7+Priest++%5BWIP%5Da>; for more pics of the conversion.
Reading all this has twisted my knickers. I am glad I am sticking with Axis stuff now. But if I ever get one of these, I probably would paint it blue and white and give it to a Warhammer friend for his Chaos space cadets.
Jim
Chris, a closer look at the rear deck and hull reveals this as a good old M7. Beauty! Things are looking up. Now the challenge is to back-date it. One could use either the M4 or M4A1 kit with the three piece bolted transmission cover, but what to do about a lack of those distinctive M3 bogies?
Track48 has the MR ModelBau M3 Suspension and track that would work nicely.
Or when you order your Staghound kit from KENGI (Ken Swenson) ask him about also cutting you a deal on getting just the suspension and track parts that he includes in the 1/48th M3 Lee OR the M3 Grant conversion kits he sells. You can chose either the "plain" or "I" block track styles.
He's a great guy and I am sure if you ask nicely he'll set you up with a set. Will cost you less then the MR conversion too. Idlers on KENGI M3 bogies not as well detailed as MR but that might not be an issue cuz...
...I am thinking of asking Ken for a deal on a set of the Grant "sand shields" that are included in his 1/48 Grant conversion as well. They showed up on early British NA M7s. These are nice and thin and fit the Tamiya hull perfectly of course.
Oooo - I feel a three desert color camo scheme comin' on...
