While stopping in Spooner, Wisconsin for petrol, I came across this Sherman. Just wondering what sort it is?

Ian

...horizontal, raised return-roller-brackets, surplus armor.
HTH, Jürgen

retrofitted with the later hinges on the engine deck

This one may not have gone through the factory/depot remanufacturing program like many surviving M4A3s. Note that it is not fitted for the wider "E9" suspension and has the original commander hatch.

Many of the "early hull" Shermans on display in the USA are M4A3s - most M4s went overseas during the war and the Army preferred the M4A3s for postwar training vehicles.

Nice photos! Thanks for sharing.

Gary

She has the minimal refurbishment as opposed to the E9 or the vision cupola. Some bits may not have been added because if the tank weren't broken, don't fix it.

I'd have to see the welds to determine if the travel lock and rear tray were post war additions, though the rear deck hinges are definitely a post war addition. Looks like she was on a machine gun range at one point.

Does she have brand new tracks?

"I'd have to see the welds to determine if the travel lock and rear tray were post war additions . . ."

What distinguishes wartime vs. post-war?

KL

what would be required to replicate the tank in 1/35 using common/inexpensive bits of current kits?

RobG

Rob,

This model could be built with a Tamiya M4 kit 35190, and an TWS engine deck conversion and something to correct the return roller brackets. You could also cut a deck from Tamiya M4A3 upper hull and scratch build the forward section splash rails and fuel fillers. If you can find it the old MP M4/M4A3 conversion would build this tank with a Tamiya M4 donor. Here's a picture of one I cobbled together with an MP hull to display the parts for my M4 Sherman Detail set. Some of these tanks saw service in the ETO after the BoB during the tank shortage and will have various parts from the rebuild program. There are a couple of pics of them in the Concord Books by Steve Z. I think the most are in Tank Battles in Germany, my favorite being marked "Destination?" A real good joke about the worry GI's had about where they might be headed after the end in Europe, home or Japan!



Hope this helps,
Rob

looks like the MP hull and Tamiya M4 kit is the best way to get this done. Thanks!

RobG

Don't know of anyone who makes the engine door hinges found on these late M4A3's. Or are there?

I would have taken more pics, but i had a disinterested missus waiting in the subaru.

Is there a web registry of gate guards such as this out there?

Ian

these were taken at the Oregon Military Museum. They can be viewd at "Toadmans" site along with lots of other Shermans and other vehicles

http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/index.htm

its listed under 13AUG08 updates

This M4A3 was built at Ford in May 1943.

KL