Sherman Mk. III

Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
 

Summary

FirstLook

DML continues to march on the small scale Shermans with a new kit of the M4A2 (Sherman Mk III). This kit comes with some of the more common features of the British vehicles, such as the T54 type steel cleat tracks, three-piece transmission, and finally a set of sand shields and stowage brackets.

The entire hull is new with a 56 degree "small hatch" upper hull, M4A2 deck gratings, and a lower hull with the mounts for the twin exhausts. But the upper hull is missing the radiator filler cap on the "flat" part of the engine decking which was common on the early model M4A2 tanks.

The turret is the "early model" or low-bustle turret with only a commander's split hatch and a choice of mantelets, either the early M34 or modified M34 or an M34A1 wide model. The latter can go in the parts bin but it will take a photo match to see what the specific vehicle you selected has – the narrow early M34 or the "eared" one with protective cover for the coaxial machine gun. Note that there are no slots for either the gunner's sight or the machine in the face of the inner mantelet (part A42.)

The biggest problem with the kit is the fact that it simply reuses their normally excellent Sherman suspension. But while quite accurate as an M4 suspension, most of the M4A2 tanks (especially the Sherman III) were built with the five-spoke welded wheels and not the "six spoke" pressed steel/welded wheels. Note that they did use the pressed steel/welded idlers however.

The kit offers three different finishing options: A Sqn the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Syria 1943 ("The Old Bell"); same unit, Syria 1943 ("Barford St Martin"), or C Sqn the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry, Syria 1943 ("Corston"). All are shown in a dark grey/sand camouflage pattern. A very nice set of Cartograf decals accompanies the kit.

Overall it is nice to see that DML has not forgotten the Commonwealth fans, but it is disappointing to make some unfortunate reuse of molds rather than create a separate set of wheels for at least this kit; had they done that many modelers would have been happy to be able to "mix and match" wheels and kits.

Sprue Breakdown

A 29 M4 low-bustle turret with M34/M34A1 gun mount
B 41 M4/M4A1 detail components
C 32 M4 pressed/welded road wheel "straight top" VVSS suspension
D 32 M4A2 hull rear, three-piece transmission housing, sand shields
G 2 M4A2 56 degree hull
X 2 DS plastic T54 type track
MA 19 Etched brass
 

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.