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Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 12:26 am
by Estnische
Well, I hadn't expected to be back here for a while due to work commitments. My unfinished projects need some thinking through. But I had an itch I needed to scratch and figured a new Heng Long Sherman project could be done in small increments.

I’m not a fan of Fireflys – I prefer the aesthetics of the cast hull M4A1 combined with the round turret of the 75mm. So M4A1(75) it is. It's not a common project but a few have been made, like Frankie's example. The cast upper hull can be had in resin from Nick Aguilar, or I could modify a Mato version. A third option could be to find an old stock Mato M4A1(76) and change out the turret, however I preferred getting hold of the newer Heng Long 6.0 MFU.

My local hobby store are RC specialists and have started selling Heng Long tanks, and when I say local, they are 20 min walk from home. I decided to purchase from them despite the extra cost compared to an online seller. I was a little wary as to whether they knew exactly what the distributor was giving them. The picture they use on their website is of a Promotion version, but there was every chance the distributor was giving them old stock with an old MFU system. After a phone call to enquire, they indicated the running gear would be plastic, and it is modified so as not to fire BBs, but it is 6.0.

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It arrived in quick fashion, and as you can see the box packaging adds to the confusion. Despite the label that says it fires BBs, there is a tiny sticker down the bottom that says its ‘not available’. Under the commander’s hatch is a blanking plate so there is no tube to load the BBs. Taking off the upper hull I see zinc gearboxes. Now, I’m happy with my purchase, but I can see that some people might insist that the naïve store supply the pictured goods at the advertised price.

To make the conversion, I purchase bits from Forgebear and Ozarmour – the main piece was the Mato upper hull. The Heng Long turret, turret ring and motor case slipped straight in. The Mato hull wiring was very messy compared to the latest iteration of the Heng Long Sherman, which shows how much they have progress since the days when people complained about the Glue Monkey.

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Although the Mato upper hull will take some tidying up to get it to fit, its not going to be a big job. The hull sides line up and the length looks about right. Importantly, once I had plugged everything back in, it all works as before.

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If anyone has any advice about Shermans, I’ll gladly take it.

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 12:52 am
by HERMAN BIX
Glad youre back mate, what is the name of this Aladdin's cave you speak of !?

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 12:57 am
by Estnische

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 7:41 am
by Estnische
While I get things underway, I've been looking about for ideas to form the finish of the Sherman. Here are a few ideas - let me know what you think.

I like the dusty look of this Italy campaign version. Its the right timeframe for a early-mid model M4A1. I'd certainly do it if I could find an Italian wine basket!

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This would also be different - what appears to be a trio British M4A1s? belonging to the 3rd County of London Yeomanry.

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Then there is this from left-field...

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And finally something more orthodox, that I'd like if I could do the Boomerang for a touch of Australiana.

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Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 12:35 pm
by PershingLover
I agree with you, I love the look of the M4A1. I prefer it with T23 turret and the 76mm though, and definitely no DV ports. You make me want to start a Sherman! I'm excited to see how this turns out!

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 1:21 pm
by Exhibitedbrute
Rather interestingly I am awaiting a low bustle turret to make the El Alamein version of this very tank

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:45 pm
by 43rdRecceReg
Glad to see you back, Brett. :thumbup: I'm just wondering whether the current, dreadful, global pestilence might allow you more time on the Sherman project than you'd anticipated? :problem: Something's definitely needed to handle the 'lockdown blues', I guess. :problem:
The pic of the line of Shermans (below the Italy campaign photo) really demonstrates the need for smokers in model tanks. Well, in the Sherman, at the very least. Or, perhaps, that the regiment in the pic had got hold of a goodly supply of relaxing 'loco weed'. Given that the Germans fought many of their campaigns under the influence of 'Pervitin' (Crystal meth, no less :O ), that's perhaps not quite as absurd as it sounds. :lolno: :wave:

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 4:48 pm
by c.rainford73
The boomerang is a very nice one following along

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Mon Mar 30, 2020 5:54 pm
by Exhibitedbrute
So as a question from an individual doing the same build. Which mantle you going for as you will have noticed from your photos there are 2 that could be used

Re: Heng Long Sherman M4A1 (75)

Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2020 3:07 am
by Estnische
Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Yes Roy, it will one way or another.

I'm planning to go with the M34A1 mantlet, mostly because it is readily available. I got mine from Forgebear.

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Exhibited Brute - have you seen this thread? Lee's desert Sherman has a build thread for it somewhere on t'internet.

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=27089

Where are you getting your low bustle turret? I'm planning on doing something like this (not sure where I got the pics).

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