Kit DML 6083, M4A1 (76mm) W Sherman, “Operation Cobra”.

DRAGON MODELS LIMITED


6083, M4A1 (76mm) W Sherman, “Operation Cobra”. 1/35th-scale injection molded styrene/multimedia kit. Contains: 1,452 styrene parts (including 18 clear), 27 photo-etched brass parts, one turned aluminum and two turned brass parts, one length of wound metal wire, five decal marking schemes and eight pages of instructions in eleven steps.


While DML has done some astounding new kits tailored for German AFV modelers, they have not ignored builders of that Allied mainstay, the M4 Sherman medium tank. In 2005 we saw the re-issue of the fabled M4A1, an almost completely new M4A2 76mm and an equally nicely-rendered M4A3 76mm. More are in the pipeline (M4A3 HVSS, M4A2 welded hoods, etc.).


This new kit depicts the later large-hatch, cast-hulled M4A1 mounting the T-23-derived turret, which was armed with the 76mm gun. Previously this version had been available from Italeri; in fact some components of this new kit still bear a family resemblance since DML had access to the Italeri molds and used them for some years. However, where it counts the most, this kit is “all new and all DML”. And that’s a good thing for modelers.


The newly-tooled turret is of the earlier style with the loader’s split-hatch cupola and the commander’s all-around vision cupola. It features nice casting texture, foundry numbers and loads of separate detail parts. The commander’s cupola has the usual separate hatch, but it also features clear inserts for the vision blocks around its rim, as well as a clear periscope (and separate flap) for the hatch lid itself. The loader’s split-hatch cupola also features a clear periscope for one lid as well as some very nice fine details (casting numbers, spring detail, head pad), although the grab handle is molded in place and needs replacement. It is topped by a very well-done .50 cal. M2 heavy machine-gun that features a pre-drilled muzzle opening (thanks to slide molds) as well as cradle, pintle, travel lock, ammo box and tray. A separate roof-mounted housing for the gunner’s sight also features clear parts for the sight optics. There are separate plates for the various British or US antennae, but still no US-style flexible antenna mount (or, for that matter, the British mount, which would be needed for the Polish tank scheme included).


The gun mantle has some new details such as casting numbers and properly placed lift hooks. It also features a nice bit of detail inside the gunner’s direct sight. It can mount either a styrene gun tube (with muzzle brake) or a turned aluminum gun tube of the earliest style (with a smooth taper and no threads, thread protector or muzzle brake at its bore). The pistol port on the side of the turret is well represented as are the various vent covers and M2 storage brackets. Note that there is NO “weld seam” detail between the upper and lower turret halves for one simple (and very good) reason: it does not belong there. This turret was a casting and what should be there is a casting seam. It would appear that this rough seam was ground down during the manufacturing process, so it too is not present. Check photos of the turret and you’ll see that DML has done a fine job and that the modeler simply needs to understand what should be there and act accordingly.


The upper hull is a completely new molding that uses some parts from previous kits. From the ‘A2 or ‘A3 kits come the hatches (with separate clear periscopes), stern storage tray, spare track block racks and fuel filler caps. From the ‘A1 kit comes the front fenders, engine deck details, rear hull plate, mufflers and exhausts. There are some options, such as two-position fuel and water filler caps (with detailed openings), two styles of engine deck hatch lids (one with, and one without a filler cap), exhaust deflector, styrene or etched brass parts for periscope, head-lamp, tail-lamp and horn guards; and clear or solid styrene for the lamps themselves. The hull has a texture added to it, which may seem to be overdone; the modeler may tone it down with some sanding if he wishes. Likewise, the transmission/differential cover may seem to be a bit overdone.


There are a number of options for the suspension system. To begin with, there are “plain” and “fancy” drive sprocket tooth rings. It should also be noted that un-like the older Italeri kits, there is no pesky sink mark on the face of the drive sprocket hub/axle part. The modeler must choose carefully, based upon which version he is going to build, since there are both “straight” and “up-swept” return roller arms included for the suspension bogie units. In the case of the former set, there is considerably more detail present, including bogie mounting plates with bolt detail and more detailed bogies themselves. There are also options for road-wheel types; the welded, five-spoke, or stamped, six-spoke types are given (actually two sets of the latter). Only one set of the stamped road-wheels have separate rear inserts, while all of the grease fittings are there. The stamped idler wheels do not have inserts for their rear faces, something that still has modelers frustrated, considering the level of detail elsewhere in this area. The bogie arms are movable, allowing for some latitude if a diorama is being considered. There are two styles of track given: US-style rubber chevron and “British”-style steel chevron. There is also a set of the so-called “Duckbill” extended end connectors that will fit either track style. These tracks will require extreme patience in their installation, but they are very well-molded and have no visible ejector pin marks. It is strongly suggested that the modeler modify the idler wheel axles so that they can be moved (as on “the real thing”) to adjust the fit of the final few links. Nothing is more frustrating then having one-too-many or one-too-few links when you are finished! The lower hull is a direct descendant of the venerable Italeri kit, and is correctly detailed for the M4A1.


The five sets of decals are all very nicely presented and are based largely on work done by Steve Zaloga in his many Concord books. They provide markings for four US and one Polish tank. The markings for US tanks include some used during “Operation Cobra” the break-out from Normandy, thus the kit’s box title. Specific markings include:

“Duke”, 2nd AD, France, 1944.
“Elowee”, 2nd AD, France, 1944.
“Ferocious III” (F-32), 3rd AD, Belgium, 1944.
“In The Mood”, 3rd AD, France, 1944 (a mount of legendary US tank commander, Lafayette Poole).
“Galloping Cow”, 2nd AR, Polish 1st AD, Holland, 1944.

All of the US tanks feature broad black bands applied over olive drab base paint, while the Polish tank features a “camouflaged” section of its 76mm main gun and the noted cow cartoon on the hull side. The decals themselves are impeccably printed by Cartograf of Italy. Color instructions are keyed to Gunze and Testors Model Masters paint.


For the most part, molding is very well done. But there are some oddities here and there. For instance, some hatch lids have separate grab handles and some do not; notably there are no less than three pairs of driver’s and co-driver’s hatch lids, only one of which has separate handles. Use that set, of course. The loader’s cupola split-hatch lid and one section of the engine deck hatch lid needs handles added. With so many extra parts, it will pay to follow the instructions rather carefully; don’t start cutting items from the sprue because they “look” correct. For instance use only parts D-10 and D-24 for the final drive as they will ensure the proper placement of the axle (as DML recommends). The other parts, A-13, 14 and 29 will cause problems if used. The same goes for the bogie mounting plates (V-5) and backing plates (A-22 and 23); those are the ones to use, as DML says. Use part A-30 for the bow .30 cal. MG, regardless of the fact that DML has “blued” it as a part “not for use”.


So, overall, this is a fine kit and an absolute improvement, on many levels, over the Italeri offering. But, I still have a few small gripes. I wish DML would include a proper styrene US antenna mount as well as the commander’s vane sight on the etched brass fret. And, as usual the back of the idler wheel needs to be included. I can live with all of that; and I am sure others can as well.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


Reviewer’s note: Since May of 2005, I have been working on books for Concord Publications, a sister company to DML. The reader may wish to take this into consideration. For my part, I will attempt to maintain an objective viewpoint when writing these reviews.


DML kits are available from retail and mail order shops. For details see their web site at: www.dragonmodelsltd.com.

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