In building an M4A3E2 Tasca Kit there is a long rod that appears to hang from the bottom of the left sponson at the rear. From Tasca's drawing I can place it but I would like to know what its purpose is and for sure if it is just magically hung there with no apparent fastening system. Anyone know its function??
That is a great picture and it shows me that they had cut the bottom of the triangle plate hanging from the side of the exhaust deflector off. I can add that plate which I have to assume was added to protect the exhaust from rocks and dirt thrown up by the track coming around at higher speeds. Great reference thanks for the help.
Also that shot of the tracks raises some more options for me if needed.
Well Im glad someone knows otherwise I would still be in the dark because I find there is so much I don't know not to mention so much I forget anymore.
I don't know why they (the model company) cannot put the name of the part on the instructions like Tamiya use to do. It would be very educational for the modeler!
Post by Allied-Eric on Oct 23, 2013 9:29:07 GMT -5
Hey Bones I would caution using this jumbo example as a definitive reference. This particular Jumbo may never have made it over to the ETO and remained state side during the war as the majority of Shermans never returned home. Also as a memorial it has got some unusual features. While I believe the APU exhaust port is indicative of late model A3s just be cautious with some of the other features.
I agree that there are a lot of things that could be better in the kit instructions or things included in the kit, in fairness to the maker there is the item of kit cost to market because I am sure we all have seen the blog about the high cost of the kits so there is a balancing point there some place. My self I would like to see that makers sell small kits that included the interior parts and kits for the engines for those who want to add them.
Eric
Thanks for the heads up, there is always a problem with where did it come from but I think the exhaust would be OK and the kit instructions make the cut off piece optional so I would think it was not liked for some reason and very often cut off. It is too bad that the Shermans finest hour was not better preserved.
Another question has raised its ugly head on detailing the JUMBO and that is which side of the Bulkhead/Firewall were the air-cleaners for the JUMBO it seems that from Toadman's pictures the cleaners were in the engine compartment, from the Army TM they could have been on either side. In researching this I am amazed at how many pictures of the exterior there are on the web but so few interior pics. As builders get better kits I am sure that interior detail will be the future as time goes by and we sure could stand some plans or pics of what went on inside with some accuracy.