). Well, let's be honest, details are not great, the VVSS unit are not much better than the Heng Long, the choice of tracks is... weird (mainly used by common wealth but decals are US tank, go figure). Anyway this is the only available small hatch M4A1 hull so I had to buy it ! And it comes with 2 turrets.
The hull and the turrets are not that bad by themself. I can assure you that when I compare them to my M4A1 I made from photogrammetry they did a great job. Much better than most of the M4A1 available in 1/35 (incl Tasca/Asuka, Tamiya). They will look the parts with not that much work.
First step was to cut the front and rear mudguards and the side perforated stripe. That went well, unfortunatly I cut 2 of my fingers in the process, incl a tendon. I had to have surgery.
I removed them because Im planning to mold and cast both the hull and turret, so I could build even more M4A1 !!
The second modification was to enlarge the hatch opening so I can use my own hatches, which are better than the kit ones both in details and shape.
I also sanded the side front angles of the hull, the angles were too sharp, like on the M4A1 large hatch, the curves and much smoother on the small hatch.
Next step will be to sand the awfull casting texture and do my own.
The kit includes the early and the late rotor shield and mantelet, which is great. The armor appliqué of the turret is separate so it's great for the very early M4A1.
I gonna use one of the casting to convert it to a direct vision hull.
- M4A1-early.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 1120 times
- M4A1-early2.jpg (1.19 MiB) Viewed 1120 times
- M4A1-early4.jpg (1.23 MiB) Viewed 1120 times
- M4A1-early5.jpg (1.1 MiB) Viewed 1120 times
I also 3D modeled the early VVSS bogies for it, they will be 3D printed (please disregard the incorrect wheels, they are place holders) :
- early VVSS 1.jpg (529.28 KiB) Viewed 1120 times
- early VVSS 2.jpg (486.98 KiB) Viewed 1120 times
- early VVSS 3.jpg (410.14 KiB) Viewed 1120 times
- early VVSS 4.jpg (492.03 KiB) Viewed 1120 times
