M4A1 concept for now

[Speedbird193]

Im thinking of making a m4a1 with the late vision cupola and mantlet and no loaders hatch using the m51 upper hull as a base anyone got tips info and especialy instructions on how to mount the early gun mantlet

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[Tiger6]

As you are probably aware, the tank in your picture is right old 'museum mongrel' that is not representative of anything actually used in the war.
The Chieftain covered this particular tank on his channel a while back and notes most of the 'oh hey this ain't right' features:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udnEpV160zU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld8UGWBdU5E

Frankie has made several small hatch conversions based on the plastic Mato M4A1 big hatch hull that come close, but he doesn't change the angle of the hull - 'close enough for government work' as my American friends would say go check his work out for ideas.

The mantlet on the turret in the video is the late type M34A1, if you want an early then you need to look at the M34 mantlet - not easy to get hold of, Nick Agular makes a resin one which you would have to bodge on some how. Also if you want to make that specific tank in the video you'd need his low bustle turret and splice on the vision coupola from a HL or Mato sherman...

Some more info on turrets here:
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minu ... types.html

Hope this somehow makes sense?

[Speedbird193]

I understand and i want o make a m4a1 i only used the photo as it was all i had at the time thanks for the info can you recomend some tracks that would suete it

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[Speedbird193]

Also do you think an m51 cast upper hull would surfice

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[Speedbird193]

I will modify the HL turret by removing the loaders hatch and other tweaks as a low bustle turret is out of my price range and use it being a late war refited tank as an excuse

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[Tiger6]

The production M51 was based on late model M4A1 'big hatch' examples that the IDF obtained from French surplus in the late 50's / early '60's. As such I'd contact Forgebear and see if he still has some Mato M4A1 upper hulls. Failing that Nick makes some very nice resin casts, but they are considerably more expensive. As I said, Frankie here on this board is the master of making small hatch M4A1's from the big hatch hulls - so long as you don't want to get to picky about the angle If you want a 'correct' small hatch cast hull, then you are basically out of luck at this point in time

The bar cleat tracks in your photo are also out of production to the best of my knowladge, and in short supply -, again if you are in the UK/EU, check with Forgebear as he may still have some knocking about?

Sorry I don't have better news, but small hatch, early turret/mantlet Shermans are off the beaten track right now

[Tiger6]

I will modify the HL turret by removing the loaders hatch and other tweaks as a low bustle turret is out of my price range and use it being a late war refited tank as an excuse

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Check that turret link I posted, its not that much work to lower the rear bustle if you have a razor saw and an eye for detail

[Speedbird193]

Oh i see i thaught the whole turret would have to be lowered

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[Speedbird193]

The m4 had a welded hull what were the diferances between this and the m4a3 upper hull

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[Tiger6]

Ok so the difference between M4 and M4A3 is in the power pack. The front part of the hull is identical between late M4, late M4A2 and Late M4A3.

The late 'big hatch' M4 as sold by Tamiya has the air cooled R975 radial motor in it, with an armoured hatch over the intake. BUT it is only relevant for M4 105 models, as there were no other versions of the Sherman built in that configuration. All other M4's were small hatch.

The Heng Long and Tiagen uppers are M4A3's. They have the large grills over the engine (water cooled Ford GAA), as well as the more angled rear hull that accomodated the radiator pack. You can convert a Tamiya upper hull into a M4A3 by angling the rear plate and grafting on the correct engine deck, but these days its easier just to buy a Heng Long

Hope this helps?