Early m4a1

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Wow, Exhibitedbrute: I wish I had seen this build earlier! Wassamadderwitme? I just want you to know that I am impressed and jealous. Congratulations on a great modifica---nah, complete reconstruction.

[Exhibitedbrute]

Thanks professor. There are a few things I will change I think, such as the wheels

[Exhibitedbrute]

Haven’t worked on her for a while but after a blast of filler primer and adding a few smaller parts she’s looking good. Still lots to do though

[Kaczor]

a test fit of the newly printed recoil and elevation unit

Little late to the party - is this recoil unit is available somewhere, i.e Thingiverse?

[Exhibitedbrute]

It’s been a long time since any work has happened here, but it’s time to show the reason why.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

"It’s been a long time since any work has happened here, but it’s time to show the reason why." I hope I am not completely dense: it seems that you wanted to re-do the hatches and rear hull. What made you choose the change?

[Exhibitedbrute]

The rear of the hull remains the same but I have removed the armour plating.

The reason for it is a simple one really. I’m building an early a1 and from all my research on the a1 what was considered the early a1 had direct vision hatches on the hull and no extra armour. Some also had direct vision turrets as well but I can’t be bothered with that.

These hatch conversions have been designed as direct vision hatches, they are just the prototype they will in time be functional.

Some will also be made along with other parts I already have to convert hl A3 to the A2 early or late

[Herr Dr. Professor]

Yes, so far as I know from my reading, the earliest cast-hull M4A1s did not have the side armor or turret armor plate. However, I believe the plate could have been added in the field, but I would not know how to verify it. To me, the cast-hull Sherman is the quintessential Sherman, my favorite since I saw the Revell or Monogram model as a youngster. The old Mato Sherman has the cast hull, but a monster turret.

[Exhibitedbrute]

The mato Sherman also has large hatches so without a conversion would only be able to use as a late version,

With these conversions I am hoping they fit the mato but they have been designed to fit ludwigs resin cast. I have a set in development to fit the hl Sherman which if paired with my engine deck will make an early a2. I already have the engine cover and late small hatches for that but no direct vision yet

[Exhibitedbrute]

Remember this, well it’s been a while since I have done anything here. However in that time I have been a little busy on the old cad and printer thing and had a complete reimagining of it and this it what I have come up with