My Gift To You - Mato Toys M4A1(76)W

[swathdiver]

Now that the cat is out of the bag so to speak I can talk about a project I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working on.  Some of you have noticed my decline in builds and participation in the forums, now you’ll know why!

I approached Mato Toys back in 2007 about bringing a VVSS Sherman to the hobby.  We surmised the reason it hadn’t been built before was because of the VVSS bogies themselves.  They would be complex and not durable enough in 1/16 scale.  I scratch built some and sent them off to the factory and decided on a compromise design to get the tank built.  Next, was which tank to depict?  I figured the M4A1(76)W should be the first one, as they were the great hope in breaking out of the Normandy bridgehead.  So this tank is from the initial batch (January-February ’44) though it does have the rear armored cover for the ventilator so it can be re-used for upcoming releases.

Speaking of releases, we have designed 16 versions of the Sherman including the different front covers, wheels, sprockets, M3 bogies, T54E1, T51 and T49 tracks with EECs, etc.  At some point we’ll be releasing kits and accessories.  The M4A3 with high and low bustle turrets, M4 Composite, M4 early, the M4A1 with direct vision slots, M3 Lee and Grant, M10, M36B1, M36B2, Jumbo, etc.  All are ready to go depending on how well this one is received.

Ohh, we didn’t forget our British friends either!  We have the Achilles Ic, Hybrid Fire Fly and the aforementioned Grant coming out for you guys too!

We’ve tried our best to get this as accurate looking as possible by consulting numerous drawings and photographs.  Wish I could have consulted more of you for assistance but secrecy prevailed.  Also, working through translators it was challenging to say the least!   

The photos that have been released are not of the finished product.  The casting texture, casting numbers and foundry marks were added after those prototypes were made.  The first run will have an airsoft unit; subsequent releases will get a whole new electronics system with an IR battle System which is in development.

We hope you’ll like it and buy a couple or a platoon!  The more we sell the quicker we can start releasing the others.

I would be remiss for not mentioning the fellow who really made this all possible, Murphy at Mato Toys!  My friend Murphy is the most enthusiastic tanker I know, without him this would not have happened!  Thanks Murphy!

[Plastic scouser]

Welldone Swathdiver!  Achilles now I'm a happy bunny 

Cheers Ian

[Woz]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

M-10 

[tiger205]

hi james, good to see you here, interesting what you've got done, but the important question, how much are they going to be when released

                      Tony

[DOG]

GRANT

[fv432]

WOW James you have been a busy boy

First up congratulations at the achievement now i know why youve been so preoccupied of late

many thanks for sharing this info here just the thought of a vvss sherman has got everyone screaming from there workshops

and with you in the picture this is sure going to be a good year for Tankers

[Matdragon]

all of the above, and thankyou very much for the info! great job you have done, and thankyou for remembering us British

i personally cant wait for all of the releases after, i will certainly be getting all the British ones, and some of the others!!

boy, tamiya have got there work cut out real big time now!!

oh and new electronics ... tasty!

cheers,

Matt

[BREL]

well done James, great work on your part in the original scratch build and then getting the manufactures to make them

[971wright]

Top Marks Swath Now can you get them to do a Churchill or Comet or Cromwell or even a T34 the wsn one is very fragile and the gearboxes are cr** .A couple of halftracks would be nice .I know we want to much but life is short and have to fit in as much as posible.


        regards pete

[swathdiver]

the Shermans and accessories will keep them busy for a while but we did talk about the Matilda A12.  Sorry, that was my favorite Brit tank after reading how 6 of them held off one of Rommel's divisions for a day!  Nothing definite yet though.