The Sherman Story, Part 3 by Doug Chaltry
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Introduction and Vehicle Background

Kit Comparisons

Kit Lists

Once again, the resin companies have come to our assistance with a large number of conversions and modifications. But as you'll see, almost all of them have been produced by modifying the existing plastic kits: mostly the ESCI M4A1, but also some are modified Revell M4A1's. Just recently, Mr. Modellbau announced the release of an M4A4, which indeed will be a very welcome model. I have not yet seen it, but I hope to get my hands on one very soon.

The tables below list all of the available plastic and resin kits, conversions and accessories for the 1/72nd scale Sherman. The list is extensive, but when you look closely, you'll see that there is a lot missing, such as almost all the early hull versions, plus the late version of the M4A2. Good 76mm kits are also lacking in plastic. We have a nice selection in resin, but they are very hard to come by.

This is the final part of this article. You'll see many holes in the following table of Previews and Reviews, so anybody who has material they wish to contribute, please send it in, and I will happily add it to what's here.

References I used for this articles are listed at the bottom of this page.

Complete Kits
 
Variant Manufacturer Medium Comments Links
M4 early Extratech Plastic Comes with photoetched details. Preview
M4 early HäT Plastic Wargamer model. Good scale accuracy but very simplistic, with only eight parts. High conversion potential. Preview or Review
M4 Composite hull CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
M4 (Late) Composite Hull Fine Scale Factory Resin Very good kitbash of ESCI M4A1 front, and M4A3 rear hulls. Preview1 or Preview2 or Comparison or Review
M4A1 (75)W ESCI/Italeri Plastic Very good model of a non-existent vehicle. Preview
M4A1 (75) DD Modell Trans Resin Late hull.  
M4A1 Sherman Calliope ESCI Plastic This is ESCI's M4A1 Sherman kit, with a rocket launcher mounted on the turret. Preview
M4A1 (76)W Revell AG. Plastic Poor model. Mediocre detail, and several dimension errors. Preview
M4A1 (76)W w/Sandbags Fine Scale Factory Resin Modified from ESCI M4A1. Added sandbag armor, new tracks, and a 76mm turret. Comparison
M4A1 (76)W HVSS Al.By Resin Hull is converted from ESCI M4A1; turret converted from Hasegawa kit.  
M4A1 (76)W w/Aunt Gemima Mine Exploder Al.By Plastic/Resin Includes complete plastic ESCI M4A1 kit, with resin 76mm turret and mine exploder.  
M4A2 (76)W CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
M4A3 Early-production CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin With 3-piece transmission cover.  
M4A3 Mid-production CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
M4A3 (75)W ESCI Plastic Good but very rare model. OOP Preview
M4A3 (75)W US Marines Fine Scale Factory Resin Modified from ESCI M4A3. Added wood and sandbag armor, plus new tracks. Comparison
M4A3 (76)W Al.By Plastic/Resin Includes complete plastic ESCI M4A1 kit, with resin M4A3 hull (improved copy of ESCI M4A3 hull) and 76mm turret (modified Hasegawa turret). Preview
M4A3 (76)W Ca.Ma. Resin    
M4A3 (76)W CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
M4A3 (76)W Eduard Plastic Comes with photoetched details. Available as basic kit or Profipack version (with more etched parts). Preview
M4A3 (76)W HäT Plastic Wargamer model. Good scale accuracy but very simplistic. Preview
M4A3 (76)W HVSS Fine Scale Factory Resin The hull is heavily modified from ESCI, the suspension is modified Hasegawa, and the turret is modified Revell. White metal tracks.  
M4A3 (76)W HVSS Modell Trans Resin    
M4A3E8 HVSS w/winter tracks Fine Scale Factory Resin The hull is heavily modified from ESCI, the suspension is modified Hasegawa, and the turret is modified Revell. White metal tracks with extended end connectors.  
M4A3E8 HVSS Hasegawa Plastic Poor kit. Good detail, but some major dimension errors. Preview
M4A3E8 HVSS Modell Trans Resin    
M4A3 (105)W Al.By Plastic/Resin Includes complete plastic ESCI M4A1 kit, with resin M4A3 hull (improved copy of ESCI M4A3 hull) and 105mm turret (modified ESCI turret). Preview
M4A3 (105)W CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
M4A3 (105)W Ca.Ma. Resin    
M4A3 (105)W Eduard Plastic Comes with photoetched details. Preview
M4A3 (105)W HVSS Modell Trans Resin    
M4A3 Firefly Al.By Plastic/Resin Includes complete plastic ESCI M4A1 kit, with resin M4A3 hull (improved copy of ESCI M4A3 hull) and Firefly turret (modified ESCI turret). Preview
M4A3E2 Jumbo Ca.Ma. Resin    
M4A3E2 Jumbo Extratech Plastic Comes with photoetched details.  
M4A3E2 Jumbo Fine Scale Factory Resin Heavily modified from ESCI M4A3. New hull and turret, plus highly improved wheels and tracks. Comparison or Review
M4A4 early ARMO Resin With 3-piece nose and M34 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A4 late ARMO Resin With single piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A6 Commander Series Resin Modified from ESCI M4A1 and M4A3. Incorrect hull length, since the M4A6 was based upon an M4A4 composite hull, not an M4 composite hull, as depicted by this kit. OOP Review
M4A6 CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
Firefly IC Fine Scale Factory Resin M4 composite hull based on ESCI M4A1 and M4A3 kitbash, plus new resin Firefly turret. Comparison
M32 B1 Recovery Tank Exokit Resin Heavily modified ESCI M4A1.  
M50 Super Sherman CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin    
M50 Super Sherman HVSS Modell Trans Resin    
M50 Super Sherman HVSS - Chile Modell Trans Resin Chilean variant with high velocity cannon.  
M51 Super Sherman Commander Series Resin Hull is modified from ESCI M4A1. Turret is modified Hasegawa M4A3E8 turret. OOP Turret Scan
M51 Super Sherman CPL Overby's Motorpool Resin Conversion of Hasegawa kit.  
M51 Super Sherman Exokit Resin Modified from Revell M4A1. Closer to 1/76th in scale. OOP Preview
M51 Super Sherman Fine Scale Factory Resin Modified from ESCI M4A1 (hull), Hasegawa (suspension), and Revell (turret). Preview
 
Conversions
 
Variant Manufacturer Medium Comments Links
M4 early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With 3-piece nose and M34 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4 late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With single piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4 Composite early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With single-piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Turret has no loader's hatch. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4 Composite mid ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With single-piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Turret has oval loader's hatch. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4 Composite late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With single piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Turret has oval loader's hatch and commander's cupola. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4 Composite MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for ESCI. Review
M4 Composite VVV Models Resin Conversion for ESCI. Single-piece upper hull with open hatches, directly replaces upper hull part in ESCI M4A1 kit. OOP  
M4 (75)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI).  
M4 (105)W ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Comes with etched brass details and resin gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4 (105)W Commander Series Resin Conversion for ESCI, including hull, turret and gun. Consists of modified ESCI M4A3 hull (into a late M4), and with modified ESCI turret and a new gun. OOP Preview
M4 (105)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview
M4A1 early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With 3-piece nose and M34 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits. Preview
M4A1 late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With single piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A1 (76)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI).  
M4A1 (76) w/Sandbag Armor TP Models Resin Conversion for Revell. Upper body and turret with molded-on sandbag armor.  
M4A1 (76) w/Sandbag Armor Goffy Resin Replacement hull and turret for Revell M4A1, with much additional equipment.  
M4A1 (76) w/Sandbag Armor Leva Resin Conversion for ESCI.  
M4A1 Calliope Conversion Al.By Resin Conversion for ESCI.  
M4A2 early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With 3-piece nose and M34 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A2 late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With single piece nose and M34A1 gun shield. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A2 Early Production MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview
M4A2 (75)W early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Uses kit turret. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A2 (75)W late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With resin turret and commander's cupola. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A2 Upgrade Leva Resin Wooden side armor, new .50cal MG, and early turret w/o loader's hatch. Preview
M4A2 Upgrade Leva Resin Wooden side and front armor, new .50cal MG, and early turret w/o loader's hatch.  
M4A2 (76)W early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A2 (76)W late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A2 (76)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview
M4A3 early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With rounded nose piece, and M34A1 gun shield. Turret has no loader's hatch. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A3 late ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With rounded nose piece, and M34A1 gun shield. Turret has loader's hatch. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A3 (75)W early ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). With rounded nose piece, and M34A1 gun shield. Turret has no loader's hatch. Comes with etched brass details and turned metal gun barrel. Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
M4A3 (75)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview
M4A3 (76)W Al.By Resin Conversion for ESCI. Highly improved copy of ESCI M4A3 hull for use with the M4A1 kit. Turret converted from Hasegawa.  
M4A3 (76)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview
M4A3 (105)W MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI).  
M4A3E2 Jumbo Leva Resin Conversion for Hasegawa.  
M4A3E2 Jumbo MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for ESCI. Preview
M4A3E2 Jumbo Turret Ca.Ma. Resin    
M4A4 MR Modellbau Resin   Preview
M4A6 MR Modellbau Resin    
Firefly IC ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
Firefly IC Hybrid ARMO Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Converted from ESCI Sherman kits.  
Firefly IC Hybrid MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview or Review
Firefly VC MR Modellbau Resin Conversion for Italeri (ESCI). Preview
Sherman ARV Mk. I Modell Trans Resin Conversion for Italeri/ESCI.  
M50 Super Sherman Turret Modell Trans Resin Conversion for Italeri/ESCI.  
M51 Super Sherman First Aire Model Factory Resin Conversion for Hasegawa.  
76mm T23 Turret Al.By Resin Turret is hollow-cast, with open hatches. Converted from Hasegawa turret. Preview
76mm T23 Turret ARMO Resin Early version with split loader's hatch. Comes with metal gun barrel and etched brass details.  
76mm T23 Turret ARMO Resin Late version with oval loader's hatch. Comes with metal gun barrel and etched brass details. Preview
76mm T23 Turret Ca.Ma. Resin    
76mm T23 Turret Leva Resin    
105mm Turret Al.By Resin Turret is hollow-cast, with open hatches. Preview
105mm Turret Ca.Ma. Resin    
105mm Turret [D-Day] Leva Resin    
Firefly Turret Al.By Resin Turret is hollow-cast, with open hatches. Preview
Firefly Turret Leva Resin   Preview
Firefly Turret w/Late Cupola Leva Resin   Preview
M4 Turret w/Whiz Bang Rockets Leva Resin   Preview
 
Detail Sets and Accessories
 
Variant Manufacturer Medium Comments Links
Sherman Accessories MR Modellbau Resin Various stowage items for a variety of M4 variants, including American and Commonwealth. Preview
M4A1 Equipment Set Goffy Resin For Revell. Sandbag armor and stowage.  
Aunt Gemima Mine Exploder Al.By Resin    
Aunt Gemima Mine Exploder Fine Scale Factory Resin    
Cullin Hedgerow Cutter Fine Scale Factory Resin    
Cullin Hedgerow Cutters Leva Resin    
Bulldozer Blade Fine Scale Factory Resin Designed for mounting on ESCI (Italeri) Sherman hulls. Preview
Deep Wading Trunks Modell Trans Resin    
75mm Gun Barrel Aber Aluminum Turned aluminum barrel with drilled end. Preview
75mm Gun Barrel ARMO Aluminum Turned aluminum barrel with drilled end. 1/76th scale for Airfix kits. Preview
76mm Gun Barrel ARMO Aluminum Turned aluminum barrel with drilled end. Old samples were a direct copy of the Revell gun barrel, which is incorrectly shaped, but this piece has since been revised to an accurate size and shape.  
76mm Ammunition Extratech Resin Includes cannon shells, shipping tubes and storage boxes. Preview
76mm Ammo Boxes Goffy Resin   Preview
M4A1 Brass Detail Set Eduard Etched Brass Designed for the Revell M4A1. OOP Preview
M4A1 Brass Detail Set Extratech Etched Brass Designed for the Revell M4A1, but in reality, most of the parts can be used for almost any Sherman kit. Preview
M4A1 Brass Detail Set PART Etched Brass For Italeri/ESCI kit.  
M4A1 Brass Detail Set PART Etched Brass For Revell kit.  
T54 Winter Tracks Fine Scale Factory White Metal T54 track (from ESCI kits) fitted with extended end connectors. Preview
T51 Rubber Block Track MR Modellbau Resin    
T49 Steel Track MR Modellbau Resin    
T54E1 Steel Track MR Modellbau Resin    
WE210 Rubber Block Track MR Modellbau Resin    
T-80 HVSS Tracks Fine Scale Factory White Metal    
Tow Cables & Eyes for US Tanks WW2 MR Modellbau Resin    
 
References
  • British and American Tanks of World War Two . Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis. Cassell & Co., Great Britain. 1969.
  • M3 and M4 Tanks in Pacific Combat 1942-1945 . Andre Zbiegniewski. Kagero Studio, Lublin, Poland. 2004.
  • M4 (76mm) Sherman Medium Tank 1943-65 . Steven Zaloga. Osprey Publishing Co., Oxford, United Kingdom. 2003.
  • M4 Sherman Walk Around . Jim Mesko. Squadron/Signal Publications, Carrollton, TX. 2000.
  • Medium Tank M4 (76mm & 105mm) Sherman & Firefly . Terry Gander. Ian Allen Publishing, Hersham, United Kingdom. 2003.
  • Sherman - A History of the American Medium Tank . 2nd ed. Richard P. Hunnicutt. Presidio Press, California, USA. 1978.
  • Sherman in Action . Bruce Culver. Squadron/Signal Publications, Carrollton, TX. 1977.
  • The Sherman at War, The European Theater 1942-1945 . Steven Zaloga. Concord Publications, Hong Kong. 1994.
  • The Sherman at War, (2) The US Army in The European Theater 1943-1945 . Steven Zaloga. Concord Publications, Hong Kong. 2000.
  • Sherman Firefly . Mark Hayward. Barbarossa Books, Essex, England. 2001.
  • Sherman Medium Tank 1942-45 . Steven Zaloga. Osprey Publishing Co., Oxford, United Kingdom. 1978.
  • The Sherman Tank in British Service 1942-45 . John Sanders. Osprey Publishing Co., Oxford, United Kingdom. 1982.
  • War Machines No. 4, Israeli M4 Sherman and Derivatives . Francois Verlinden, Willy Peeters and Michael Mass. Verlinden Publications, Lier, Belgium. 1990.
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