Russian Sherman M4 Easy 8?

[MrChef]

I knew Russia got a good amount of our armor through the "lend-lease" agreement. I even knew they got Shermans, but I never knew they got the Easy 8. I saw Kaczor mentioning something about this in the group build but never saw the pic. Well there I found one pic-

Can anyone elaborate on this? Which exact model of the myriad of Shermans is it? Which of the available RC RTR tanks could be a suitable starter/donor? Heng Long 105?

Discuss-

[Kaczor]

It's M4A2(76)W. The best start kit is Taigen M4A3(76)W and only major change is different engine deck. The turret itself can also be purchased separately and mounted on the Heng Long hull. And it's standard VVSS suspension NOT HVSS like in E8. (E8 mean new suspension, not the turret).

Most of the Shermans they received were exactly as pictured (M4A2(76)W VVSS). They received a number of Shermans with HVSS suspension starting in March 1945. They did not have time to fight in Europe and saw action only in the fights with the Japanese in Manchuria.

Here you have great Sherman info page:
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/index.html

Also there is a book about Soviet Shermans:

[MrChef]

Freaking Awesome! Thank you for sharing this information. I am not a Sherman fan but Now I've found one that I'd be interested in.

Do you know Where could the "Engine deck" be sourced from? Is this the same thing that Adam is doing for his M4AE38 in the group build?

[Ecam]

HL and Taigen have the correct deck for the Ford powered M4A3 and M4A3E8. Unless you are starting with a different hull (M4A1 or M4 - cast and welded).

[Kaczor]

Do you know Where could the "Engine deck" be sourced from? Is this the same thing that Adam is doing for his M4AE38 in the group build?

Mine was scratchbuilded using sytrene and some 3D printing parts for engine doors and additional fuel caps.

IMG_20211008_174440.jpg (503.17 KiB) Viewed 348 times

There is proper deck on Shapeways:
https://www.shapeways.com/product/62D2U ... ngine-deck

[Son of a gun-ner]

HL and Taigen have the correct deck for the Ford powered M4A3 and M4A3E8. Unless you are starting with a different hull (M4A1 or M4 - cast and welded).

No, he needs to convert either the Taigen M4A3 (76) VVSS or the Heng Long M4A3 (105) VVSS to an M4A2 (76) VVSS for his project.
The Taigen already has an acceptable turret with 76mm barrel. It's just a case of transforming or changing the engine deck. And sadly the Taigen will be at a premium. Unless a Taigen top half can be acquired and will fit a Heng Long rolling chassis. Otherwise it's an expensive resin turret that is manufactured to fit a Tamiya hull. Or lastly a Mato Turret fitted on the Heng Long, which is the least accurate turret.

[Ecam]

Oh, I didn't realize it was a diesel.

[Son of a gun-ner]

Oh, I didn't realize it was a diesel.

Yeah, the one time a heavy smoker will be authentic lol.

[Ecam]

More coffee on the keyboard, thanks Mick!

[Son of a gun-ner]

More coffee on the keyboard, thanks Mick!

You're welcome lol.