Post by Lance on Aug 31, 2015 3:47:14 GMT -5
Background
This build started after Dragon Released their totally retooled Sherman 1C kit (no 6228). The inspiration for the build came from a photo and the cover art from Geoff Plowman’s Book – ‘Camouflage & markings of the Shermans in New Zealand Service 1943-45”.
This photo was my inspiration. The build is aimed at producing a model based on the photo below of a very interesting vehicle used for a short time in 1944 by The New Zealand 20th Armoured Regiment in Italy.
The kit came out around 2010 and thus pre-dated the Tasca/Asuka equivalent. It was a big step up from Dragon’s older 1C kit in all respects and although the project started well it got stalled for a variety of reasons.
The vehicle is interesting to me as it has a number of unusual features. As I only have a single view of the original some extrapolation as to the invisible details must be made. I am grateful for the information that has come to light on the Sherman Minutia site regarding Hybrid M4’s produced by ALCO. Prior to this it was largely assumed that all hybrids were Chrysler products. Following the reasoning presented there lead me to the firm conclusion that my subject is clearly an ALCO product. Key identifying features visible in the photo are the ‘plain’ sprocket, side skirt brackets with no indentation and horizontal return roller brackets. The photo also shows open-spoked road wheels on the rear bogie. I elected to take that as a sign that all road wheels were open-spoked. There is a photo of a Polish example (ZADLO - which happens to be one of the kit’s decal options) with this configuration which I take as corroborative evidence for my choice.
The tank also mounts an early low bustle turret with applique armour which is another very rare thing. The barrel is adorned with a fake muzzle brake which adds visual interest. As the kit comes with a later turret with cast in bulge I decided to use a Fire fly conversion set from Formations I had lying around
This build started after Dragon Released their totally retooled Sherman 1C kit (no 6228). The inspiration for the build came from a photo and the cover art from Geoff Plowman’s Book – ‘Camouflage & markings of the Shermans in New Zealand Service 1943-45”.
This photo was my inspiration. The build is aimed at producing a model based on the photo below of a very interesting vehicle used for a short time in 1944 by The New Zealand 20th Armoured Regiment in Italy.
The kit came out around 2010 and thus pre-dated the Tasca/Asuka equivalent. It was a big step up from Dragon’s older 1C kit in all respects and although the project started well it got stalled for a variety of reasons.
The vehicle is interesting to me as it has a number of unusual features. As I only have a single view of the original some extrapolation as to the invisible details must be made. I am grateful for the information that has come to light on the Sherman Minutia site regarding Hybrid M4’s produced by ALCO. Prior to this it was largely assumed that all hybrids were Chrysler products. Following the reasoning presented there lead me to the firm conclusion that my subject is clearly an ALCO product. Key identifying features visible in the photo are the ‘plain’ sprocket, side skirt brackets with no indentation and horizontal return roller brackets. The photo also shows open-spoked road wheels on the rear bogie. I elected to take that as a sign that all road wheels were open-spoked. There is a photo of a Polish example (ZADLO - which happens to be one of the kit’s decal options) with this configuration which I take as corroborative evidence for my choice.
The tank also mounts an early low bustle turret with applique armour which is another very rare thing. The barrel is adorned with a fake muzzle brake which adds visual interest. As the kit comes with a later turret with cast in bulge I decided to use a Fire fly conversion set from Formations I had lying around
