Improvised Assault Sherman-M4A3DS(ETO)

Here is my current Sherman build a Ford early production M4A3 Dry Stowage with a field conversion into an Improvised Assault Tank.
My approach for this build is to use only items from my spare parts box. The Hull and Turret are from the Tamiya M4 and the engine
deck and rear plate are from an old Dragon M4A3E8(76)W kit. The suspension is from an academy kit, though I don’t recall which one.
The rear engine plate bottom edge was rounded with styrene tubing cut along its length and fitted.

The added plate armor on the front of the hull is sheet styrene. Stretched sprue from an old car kit was used for the weld work. I chose
red to make it easier to see when working it…It took about week and half to do all the welding. Mr. Sufacer 500 was used to add some
interest to the hull sides. The tools are from Formations. Lastly I added the engine deck filler area. This Item is 3D printed in resin from
Click2Detail.com. This company has several interesting Items, mostly U.S. subjects, which are made to order. Also check out Shapeways.com
for more Sherman goodness too!!

I started with the turret by first giving it a cast texture. I used a technique I picked up from our very own Big-John. I’m really happy with
the results and highly recommend using this method when a good texture effect is needed. The turret plates are from an old dragon M4A4 kit.
The Dragon turret was cut in sections and then thinned from the inside with a motor tool and fitted to the Tamiya turret and then “welded” it
up with Magic Sculp epoxy putty.

Ok enough blabbing from me lets get to the pictures….First is the Primary Reference Photos



I usually do up a Photo Analysis in PowerPoint so I can pick out the details I want to add during the construction phase.

Now on to the Construction…









































Here is a sneak-peek of the display base in the early stages...



Thanks for stopping in for a look-see. let me know if you have any questions.