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DRAGON MODELS LIMITED
Product Specifications.
6441, M4 Sherman Composite Hull PTO Smart Kit. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 515 styrene parts (including 21 clear), two DS100 soft styrene track lengths, one length of braided metal wire, one etched brass fret, four water-slide decal marking schemes and six pages of instructions in seven steps.
Introduction.
With the introduction of this kit, there are now new-tool kits available of nearly every major M4 production type seen in service during World War Two. To their credit, DML is at the forefront of these recent developments, with Tasca providing a limited, but outstanding group of new-tool kits to fill in where DML has not yet gone. Regardless, for lovers of the Sherman, this current trend is a win-win situation any way one cares to look at it.
Tracks.
These are composed of two lengths DS100 material, molded in soft styrene, which can be fixed together using standard styrene cement. They represent T48 rubber chevron types and the detail is typical of tracks molded in this fashion: crisp and accurate. DMLs use of a slide-mold allows for particularly well-rendered end-connector detail. The modeler is advised to ensure that the idler wheel axle (a separate part) is doing its job, so the tracks are properly tensioned, before fixing it in place.
Suspension System.
The kit features two sets of VVSS suspension brackets. The earlier Heavy Duty D47527 type with straight Support Roller Bracket, C100334 and the later Heavy Duty D47527 type with up-swept Support Roller Bracket, C100823. The track skids are separate and have a fairly thin profile; four mounting bolts should be added. Enough bolts are given in the kit on the adjacent sprues, but these are neither numbered nor are they called out in the instructions. The return roller brackets also need some bolts added but these must be sourced elsewhere. The main units are detailed with casting texture and seams as well as foundry numbers; they only need four small holes drilled on their forward faces to be as complete as can be.
There are two styles of road-wheels given: D85163 stamped type with six spokes and D38501 welded type with five spokes. The stamped road and idler wheels have separate backs and both styles feature properly-placed grease nipples and relief valves. The drive sprockets are provided in two styles: one open type and one smooth type. The idler wheels are also given in two styles: stamped with six spokes and welded with six spokes.
Hull.
The lower hull is provided as a single part. It features proper rivet, panel and rib details on the belly plate. The hull sides also receive separate mounting and adapter plates for the VVSS brackets, as well as the mounts for the idler wheels. The hull side walls are devoid of any other detail, so the column of bolts typically seen up front just aft of the transmission/final drive housing will need to be added.
The transmission cover is based on the newer parts seen in the M4A1 DV and M4A2 kits. The side plates are new and have properly-sized final drive housings, while the one-piece cast transmission cover with the sharp beak is brand-new. This part has subtle casting texture as well as proper foundry numbers and the entire assembly is an improvement over any previous parts seen to date. The final items are separate tow shackles and their mounts.
There is a choice of two rear hull plates as well as two styles of separate engine compartment access doors. Other items such as separate grab handles for the access doors and the usual tow shackles and their mounts are given; a trailer hitch and mount is also provided. The multi-part carburetor air cleaners represent the square type.
Upper Hull/Superstructure.
This is a new molding with welded rear and cast bow sections. The cast end has nice texture along with foundry symbols and parts numbers, while the welded end features properly configured raised weld beads. A full array of hull-side appliqué armor plates is provided and these feature nicely done weld beads. The U-shaped vent between the drivers hatch lids is molded in place, as is the circular plate seen behind the starboard side hatch lid. Further aft is a separate mushroom vent cover, while various splash plates and tow cable clips are crisply-rendered in situ. The engine deck access lids are all separate parts as is the cowl over the air intake grill, which itself covers an etched brass screen. Separate fluid filler caps are given, while the openings that they cover are also well-detailed. Exhaust pipes are fitted beneath the rear overhang. The final item is the grouser box vent covers in the cast style with etched brass screens.
New-tool large hatch lids are provided, each with fairly complete inside and outside details. They include clear periscope heads, separate covers and separate lift handles; separate scopes and covers are also given for the front edge of the hatch openings. The bow machine gun blister is molded in place along with the frame for the cover. The .30 cal. MG is slide molded and includes perforated barrel jacket and opened bore. The mounts for the (separate) gun travel crutch are molded in place as are the head-lamp and horn mounts. Separate lift hooks are also given for the four corners of the hull. The head- and tail-lamps are clear parts and all have the option of styrene or etched brass brush guards. Etched brass parts are also provided for the sand shield mounting strips, front fenders, tow cable clamps and tool tie-down straps. The tow cable is composed of styrene end-loops and wound metal wire
Turret.
The turret is a typical late low bustle D53018 type with cast-in cheek armor on the gunners side and 20-inch oval loaders hatch lid. The widened E5721 M34A1 mantle and rotor shield are both very well-textured and the rotor shield features foundry casting number details; there is a choice of two different mantle styles. The co-axial .30 cal. Browning is slide-molded with pre-drilled bore and proper cooling jacket details. The 75mm main gun features a continuous taper, and is slide-molded in one piece, with a pre-opened bore end.
The turrets upper shell comes from a slide-mold, so the pistol port opening is cast in place (the lid is separate and comes with an internal latch); some work will be needed to remove a mold seam and add texture to the area. The basic details for the turret are molded in place, including the opening for the 2-inch smoke mortar, antenna base mounting plates and mushroom vent cover. The turret has a nice cast texture, but there are no foundry numbers or symbols present. The lower part comprises the turret ring.
All periscope assemblies are separate and include clear scope heads, separate covers and rotator plates, as well as new brush-guards. The commanders early high-profile D69993 split-hatch cupola is made up of a total of 11 parts to include a clear periscope head. The late low-profile, D94598 split hatch cupola is also given as is the all-around vision type
Separate detail parts are given for the turret to include US-style and British-style radio antennae bases; do not use the latter for a US tank despite what the instructions say. Separate lift rings and various fittings to stow the (again NOT included) .50 cal M2 machine gun are given as is an etched commanders blade sight. Other options include two different covers for the gunners periscope sight, brush-guards for the periscope and a multi-part, slide-molded search-light, which also includes a clear part for the lens.
A high bustle upper turret shell is also given as an option, but the lower part is not included. DML has the modeler use the lower part from the low bustle turret (since the part for the high bustle turret was stripped from the kit sprue), which will result in an inaccurate configuration. A conversation with Steve Zaloga confirmed what this reviewer thought: aside from the differing upper edges, high bustle equals HIGH lower edge; low bustle equals LOW lower edge. Apparently, these tanks came standard with the low bustle turret, even though the high bustle turret was designed to compliment the so-called large hatch hulls, which the M4 composite hull featured.
The outcome is: use the low bustle turret.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Overall, I found no problems with the fit of any major or minor component. No sink marks were found, and there were no visible ejector pin marks. There is a subtle mold seam on the upper hull, where the cast front end was grafted onto the welded rear section in the production process; the modeler must remove it.
Accuracy and Details.
Based on the cited references, I have no completely reliable 1/35th-scale plans to compare the kit parts to. Photographs indicate the kit is very accurate from a visual standpoint. This reviewer is yet again vexed by some design and features choices that are in the box; these are described above.
Instructions.
These are well-drawn and rather easy to follow. Just note that some fittings and combinations are not correct; references will be very useful here.
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals are from Cartograf and are cleanly printed with excellent color saturation. Film is thin, matte and cut close to the edges of the designs. Markings for four PTO M4s are provided. They are as follows:
Southern Cross, 44th Tank Battalion, Philippines, 1944-45.
Ole Miss, 44th Tank Battalion, Philippines, 1944-45.
Battlin Basic, 44th Tank Battalion, Philippines, 1944-45.
Bushmaster, 763rd Tank Battalion, Philippines, 1944-45.
All markings are substantially correct and only need references to be properly combined with the physical features specific to each tank.
Conclusion.
This is a fine rendition of an oft-requested subject, although there are several detail issues. With proper references, the modeler should be able to easily produce an accurate replica with the minimum of fuss.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. Curly Stooge De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to
1. Sherman: A History of the US Medium Tank; Taurus, by R.P. Hunnicutt.
2. Walk Around M4 Sherman; Squadron 5701, by J. Mesko.
3. The Sherman in Action; Squadron Armor No.16, by B. Culver.
4. Modelling the US Army M4 (75mm) Sherman Medium Tank; Osprey Modelling 35 (current series), by S. Zaloga.
5. The Sherman Tank in US and Allied Service; Osprey Vanguard 26, by S. Zaloga.
6. The M4 Sherman at War, the European Theater 1942-1945; Concord 7001, by S. Zaloga.
7. The Sherman at War, the US Army in the European Theater 1943-1945; Concord 7036, by S. Zaloga.
8. Tank Battles of the Pacific War 1941-1945; Concord 7004, by S. Zaloga.
9. M3 and M4 Tanks in Pacific Combat, 1942-1945; Kagero, by A. Zbiegniewski & S. Jablonski.
10. M4 Sherman; Osprey Modelling 14 (old series), by R.H. Cabos & J. Prigent.
11. M4 Medium (Sherman); AFV Weapons Profile 29, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
12. Modelers Guide to the Sherman; Ampersand, by P. Harlem.
Reviewers note: Since May of 2005, I have been writing books for Concord Publications, a sister company of 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.
