A number of weeks ago, if I remember correctly, one or more members of this group said they had ordered examples of 1/48th Israeli Shermans from a firm named AEF Designs, I believe it was called. Did the kits ever arrive, and if so, what did you think of them? I have been slowly building up a cache of Sherman kits to work on over the summer months, and an Israeli version would look great with the WW2 and Korean versions.

Anyone??

Best Regards to everyone,
George

I got mine yesterday and have not had a chance to take pictures yet. The Tamiya version is only the turret/barrel and the Hobby boss comes with a hull as well. It does NOT have the side fenders for the easy 8 suspension, but I guess you can cut it off the Hobby boss kit.

the barrels have a thin wire inside to strengthen them.

I still need to get the hobby boss kit for the lower hull and suspension

One e-mail was answered saying they would be mailed soon. Others have gone un-answered. I would suspect they are just around the corner. I will holler just as soon as they arrive!

he is not great on email follow ups, but he always has been available for phone calls

I got mine a couple of days ago. Tony had told me that the M-51 mold had been damaged, and that it would be a week or so before he could complete more of that kit. Didn't make the wait any easier...
The M-51 muzzle brake is evidently the hardest part to cast, and comes in multiple parts. Should be a joy to stick together....there seem to be enough parts to make two brakes in the kit, which is great.
The M-50 set comprises the turret, gun tube, muzzle brake, a clear molded searchlight, a new rear deck,and a collection of stowage.
The M-51 set has the above (not the same except for the searchlight and rear deck) and also has a lower rear hull panel with the left offset exhaust, and a cast M4A1 upper hull. Not having a HB cast hull to compare, I cannot tell if the hull has been "wedged" at the rear. It does have the rear valence hanging lower than the fenders.
Both sets are intended for the HB E8 Sherman kit, but there are other possibilities..........

I did get a start on the M 51 set tonite, and the rear hull plate all but snaps in place. Some very minor trimming and such was needed to get the engine deck to fit, but it then also all but snaps in. Good stuff. Will need to add the fender extensions, but that isn't a big deal.

The M-50 turret features the cheek bulge,which may be the same as the HB part, but I don't have one to compare. I had made up a pattern years ago and cast a few resin M-50 turrets, and I like the AEF mantlet area better, but like my bustle better. If you saw George Bradfords' recent M4A4/A1 M-50 build, that is one of my old turrets.

All in all, the AEF kits are very reasonable in price, and I consider them good value. I'd rate them as good as CMK and better than GasoLine as far as detail, with a better (less brittle) resin used.
If I were to complain, I'd want some info on the kit's intent, if not instructions. At least a suggestion of what kit the parts are intended for.
Both sets will certainly get at least two of my IDF Sherman projects closer to getting finished than they had over the last 30 years....
think I have two Bandai based IDF Sherman models done, and probably 6 or more in various stages, based on Aurora(the only 1:48 E8 for the last forty years...)and Bandai models. Now we have lots more raw materials from Tamiya and HB to confuse and bewilder us. Speaking for myself and the exacto knife in my pocket, of course.

regards, dan
PS, stay tuned for some suggestions on painting the searchlight

I have an order for both from Panzershop.cz around the time I found out about them. Still waiting but then if there is a problem with the mold I guess I have to wait a bit longer.

On a related note I picked up two copies of book "ISRAELI SHERMAN : Tracing the history of the Sherman Tank in Israeli Service" by Thomas Gannon for myself and a friend.

You can find them here.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Israeli-Sherman-a-History-of-Sherman-Tank-In-Israel_W0QQitemZ310048521867QQihZ021QQcategoryZ378QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em118Q2el1247

Or here

http://www.articlesofwar.com/Book/index.cfm?method=viewbook&InventoryID=23209

Highly recommended

Best

Paul

Where can we get pictures of their 1/48 products? There aren't any thumbnails on the website. I want to see what their composite hull looks like.

first up is the M50 Sherman, no hull, turret and rear deck closed hatches this is for Tamiya kits

[IMG][/IMG]
next is most of the parts for the M51 Sherman including the cast hull this is for the easy 8 Hobby Boss kit

[IMG][/IMG]
this is the Hobby Boss cast hull then the AEF hull and then the lower hull ans suspension of the hobby boss kit

[IMG][/IMG]
here is the turret, and SOME of the extra parts, not included are storage boxes, spare tracks and wheels for the tank as well as the muzzle brake in 4 parts

overall very nice molds, the bottom of the turrets are deformed, BUT they don't show and are larger than the hole in the hull so you can sand down for a nice fit, they will turn but DON'T fall out easy.

I have several builds ahead of these {like finishing my Super Pershing, an M10 diorama and a DAK diorama with the Greif halftrack.}

I see the AEF hull has sponson filler. Do those come with the hull or are they the Hobby Boss ones?

no the filler is the hobby boss hull, it was to compare the two

I see someone else has posted pictures. Looks like a easy build.