1/35 Tamiya M4A3 Sherman: Build and Review

Рет қаралды 70,962

Күн бұрын

00:00 Introduction
02:01 Hull and Turret
07:57 Undercarriage
09:13 Painting
10:09 Markings/Miscellaneous
14:55 Presentation
16:21 Credits
*CORRECTION*: As pointed out by user Widthatnut, large hatch M4A3(75) tanks all possessed wet armor stowage, and thus the external appliqué armor pieces would not be put on at the factory. He has also helpfully posted a period photo of C-50 where we can clearly see it lacks the armor in question. His comment is pinned below. I personally like the look, but my execution of the vehicle reflects an oversight on my part.
The M4 Sherman was one of the tanks of World War Two, serving as the American workhorse for pretty much the entirety of America’s involvement. It holds a unique distinction as being one of very few vehicles to have served in every theatre of operations under many different flags. Further, it became an excellent platform from which to develop specialized AFVs, equipping everything from flamethrowers to howitzers to bridges and bulldozers and mine-clearing flails and rockets and - you get the point.
Part, if not most, of its success was owed to the fact that the Sherman was so adaptable and modular, allowing parts from one variant to easily fit onto another. This greatly simplifies things from a materiel and maintenance perspective, but really makes it difficult to identify variants from photos.
Anywho, the kit on the bench today is Tamiya’s M4A3, kit number 35250. This particular kit is a 2002 revamp of their 1981 M4A3 and it has not aged a day; the hull in my example is dated 1987 and has all the crisp detail and sharp edges of a tub manufactured a year ago. This release provides a large number of alternate parts, allowing you to build almost every iteration of A3 Sherman. I’ll try to break it down as we go, so let’s get to it!
SOURCES
1. • The American Tank Meme
2. • Video
3. • Inside the Chieftain's...
4. www.theshermantank.com/about/s...
5. the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_mi...
6. the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_mi...
7. www.theshermantank.com/about/t...
8. healthyhandyman.com/best-wood...
9. www.wwiiboxes.co.uk/Weapon%20R...

Пікірлер: 121

@Widthatnut 2 жыл бұрын

M4A3 were wet. No additional armor plates were welded on the lower hull. That's one of the major mistake made by Tamiya on this one.

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

I think I missed the mark on this one too. Most A3’s were wet, but a few early examples can be seen with dry stowage; it doesn’t appear that Ford made any with wet stowage, for example. That being said, I don’t think anything on the model is specific to Ford, and the turret details are mid-to-late production. Putting armor plates on “Caballero” and “Classy Peg” would be a mistake, since the few photos I’ve found lack them. It also doesn’t look like any M4A3(105)s were made with wet stowage, but apparently 105’s had extra internal armor to protect from getting “ammo racked”. Source: Sherman Minutia Site I rather like the look of the plates, myself. A Sherman without them just looks naked. C-50 is, as far as I can tell, not a tank that exists in photos (though I would be happy to be proven wrong) and so I took it as free reign to do what I want.

@Widthatnut 2 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks Here is C-50 (which confirms it was a wet no side armor) : 6tharmoreddivision.com/uploads/3d5896454165c68de6dedf54013cf424.jpg As for M4A3 featuring dry storage, they were small hatches early ones. It's a mistake from Tamiya. When they first issued their MM122 / 35122 kit in the 80s, the armor plates were included in the sprues and as 35250 is a reboxing of this one (with the same features and same mistakes), the main sprues didn't change. At least, the instruction manual now don't show how the armo plates mount, but their 80s instruction manual was wrong.

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

I’ll be damned. Thank you for the photo and the correction!

@Widthatnut 2 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks No problem. I did the same mistake in the 80s when I assembled ASA-MULE... ;-)

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

Description updated with correction! I appreciate it; that photo of C-50 especially is fantastic.

@jimcurry5684 2 жыл бұрын

Great build! I just ordered this kit and can't wait! My Dad was a Sherman driver and was in battles on Anguar, Peleliu and the Philippines. I'm doing it as a tribute to him-my life-long hero. Again, thank you!

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad you enjoyed it! I hope the build goes well!

@GrahamOrm Жыл бұрын

Mine too in Africa and Italy. I’m building it for my own grandson.

@joeshmoe9978 11 ай бұрын

I really like the combination of research information with the building process. 🎥🎬🏅

@cliffnelson1174 9 ай бұрын

I have been Tamiya kits for decades and thier attention to detail is just outstanding....love these kits from Planes to armor to ground pounders they are Unbelievable.

@ryannightingale2457 3 жыл бұрын

I enjoyed the historical reference and I think its a nice touch.

@penchant4 2 ай бұрын

Thoroughly enjoyable, informative, and high quality video. The bits of background were especially appreciated. Thank you, especially for not making us (or thinking we...well I anyway...would want to sit and watch someone else just build a model. You struck an excellent balance between information about this kit and the Sherman tank; and did so while remaining interesting and engaging. You have gained a subscriber. THANK YOU!

@larrywisniewski282 9 ай бұрын

This is a good solid video with lots of very useful information. I've modeled most of my life and even I picked up a tid bit or two from it. I certainly recommend it to everyone and wish that other video makers would clean up their acts and provide the meaty narrations like you have. Keep up the good work! It is much appreciated.

@maxsmotorsports1568 3 жыл бұрын

Came here for the kit, stayed for the history. Great video 👍

@daviddruxius8496 Жыл бұрын

Yes this Sherman website is just too perfect for detailing all kinds of different Sherman versions, ideal for 1/35th and 1/16th scale RC models.

@nomadprod.6211 4 жыл бұрын

How tf do you not have more subs? Superb work and history!!

@monkeyastronomy4088 3 жыл бұрын

Agreed

@DatBoi-us7zy 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, very underrated. I would argue that this is one of the most underrated channels ever.

@asdf9890 Ай бұрын

Nice review and tips! I’m finishing up the same kit, my first armor kit. I’ve found use for the ammo crates in my bombers though, cool extras. I’ve had fun painting the figures too,

@allgood6760 8 ай бұрын

Nice work!.. we have a Sherman moulded hull in a museum here in NZ 👍🇳🇿

@Doughillman 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed the historic information and your calling out of the various parts as you went over the kit. Nice video and nice build.

@cjkirkland2334 3 жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed the historic tidbits and the tank specs you shared during the build. Great job.

@frankenscale6549 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Love that you supply us with some historic facts along the way

@reikawahara770 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating work ! You have epic skill my man. Love the history woven in (and the innovative tarp - nice touch)

@kiwifruitpoo 3 жыл бұрын

I’ve watched this video and the Motörhead one. Fantastic work! Please keep it coming. Your presentation style is perfect.

@82ndAirborne505thRCT 4 жыл бұрын

Was thinking of building this kit, great video!

@johnshoosmith Жыл бұрын

Excellent! I'm most impressed with all of the details about what tanks had what.

@Zero6BravoZ6B 3 жыл бұрын

I've owned this kit for over 20 years! And, I'm just getting around to finishing it. haha great build.

@roboticpotato3974 2 жыл бұрын

It’s so cool that it has openable hatches

@TiberiusMaximus 2 жыл бұрын

good job. liked the photos I'm building the Asuka early cast style sherman now, was hard to find

@ronaldetherington480 Ай бұрын

Excellent video, answered lot of questions about the kit...why?...kid brother had a PILE of armour kits he was throwing out...stuck them all in a box. 15 years later, I need a challenge. Basically, take apart 3 half tracks to rebuild one. The Sherman is a nice SIMPLE kit BUT I don't like simple. So far, copula windows opened up, vehicle disassembled but parts missing. This kit could have had more interior items and the open area above the tracks plated. The interior of most U'S. vehicles was white inside(done). With a ton of spare parts, it will live again with a full crew...I keep looking to my side...at the Tamiya M26....NOT YET!. thanks again for the info and the links to the other sites sites.... still think the gun barrel is too thin.../R

@Geoduck. 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the detailed easy to understand video. Enjoyed the cat too! LOL I ordered this exact kit. It's been right about 50 years ago I built my last model kit. I"ll just use spray can paint and see how it works out. Thanks again...

@mark3208 2 жыл бұрын

Will definitely be ordering this kit after watching the video...

@user-oi4xx1jp6k 4 ай бұрын

Great job on the m4a3 sherman

@nelsonwalker7105 2 жыл бұрын

i enjoyed this video thank you for putting it together

@brianmcnevin1419 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent job. Looks good. And you are a cat lover. Fantastic!

@rs4467 2 жыл бұрын

I have this kit, the date stamped on it is 1983. Which I plan on building soon.

@rs4467 2 жыл бұрын

I made a mistake, it’s not 1983 it’s a 1981 kit.

@EmperorWu21 3 жыл бұрын

this deserves more views

@josecesar5952 Жыл бұрын

Excellent work

@Hjerte_Verke 17 күн бұрын

Rust-Oleum nozzles consistently deliver more paint per button squeeze than Krylon, If you can, use Krylon primer as it is the easiest to control in regards to paint delivery/amount

@lappin6482 3 жыл бұрын

great work 💯

@rettson22 2 жыл бұрын

Great info bro!

@woodybear8298 5 ай бұрын

Great presentation.

@adamrhynehart9948 Жыл бұрын

Great video! I'm making the same one. The Sherman tracks didn't actually sag though. The Sherman tracks were one of the few tanks that were under tension. That's what the large gray wrench was for.

@advancehacker07 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. Thanks a lot.

@xRepoUKx 3 жыл бұрын

Nice build and the inclusion of the references was great. If only other model channels would do that! However, M4A3's had live tracks which do not sag! I'm surprised that this didn't come up in your research as it's clear from the pictures that very few Shermans had any noticeable track sag. Anyhoo, I've subscribed.

@ZTEWorks 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I kinda screwed up on the track sag. I’m working on a Firefly right now and I’m hoping to do the tracks better. FWIW, I’ve got a Field Manual saved that says the maximum acceptable sag between bogies is half an inch, which in 1/35 scale is... not a lot: roughly 14 or 15 thousandths of an inch, the thickness of 3 or 4 pieces of printer paper. So you *can* model that kind of sag, but I’m not sure if it would be noticeable at all.

@xRepoUKx 3 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks I've been building models on and off for 45 years and I'd never heard of live tracks until about 3 years ago when I did an updetailed build of Tamiya's old M41 kit and did the research. I've never built much US armour so hadn't encountered it before.

@Android-rz8mb Ай бұрын

Awesome job

@xdragonashx 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video

@GrahamOrm Жыл бұрын

Fantastic thanks. My dad was in one (UK) in Africa and Italy. I’m making this for my own grandson.

@douglasstreet7304 Жыл бұрын

I just finished my first diarama featuring an M3 Stuart in over 25 years, made many mistakes but on armor they are easy to hide. I have a large stash of M4's from A1 to M51 Isherman. I should be finished with them by 2095 and I'm only 64 years old.

@keithTCU 3 ай бұрын

Great video! I used Tamiya's Olive Drab and I found it rather dark. . maybe it was just that particular bottle.

@candisully8209 2 жыл бұрын

great video

@cursedmonkey1033 10 ай бұрын

Hi. One solution for the lack of track sag is to stick dress making pins through the lower hull where wou want the sag and hook the track under them. Once the pin is painted track color it's hard to see.

@stub2948 9 ай бұрын

Well done

@rewand4180 Жыл бұрын

Finally, damned good overview.

@marcosaugustosoares 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing!

@ricardoernestosotobarrios9519 Ай бұрын

The Browning 1919A1 Machineguns were added to the front of the commander cupola after February 1945, as a authorized modification to Shermans in the 12 Army Group (Bradley), The were often issued to up armored 76mm Shermans like the one in the photo that were, and Jumbo Shermans. Those were often used as point vehicles in armored columns. Sherman tracks did not sag as the ones in German or Russian tracks. Tamiya XF 62 is often the most accurate shade of OD. according to people who has compared to actuall paint cans from WW2.

@MottysMilitaryModels 3 жыл бұрын

Hi buddy , love it !!! But you forgot one thing ...... American Tank, not to bad but made so much better by the British.... Scared the wee tanks of the Riech....but got ran over by the bigger Tanks of the Gerrys ..... Enter the Brits and the mighty Firefly!!! Ha . This is honestly one of the best Model Videos I've seen, loved it. I really enjoyed how you built a part and then had a chat about it. Brill. When I get better and round to videos again, I'll give you a few shout outs. Your videos deserve to be seen by more and you are one talented chap. Brilliant. I'll share your video, if its OK , in a couple of Facebook Groups I run. Please keep these coming. P.s - I got this kit and the other that Tamiya released was it the 105mm or whatever . In my last stash . I still haven't got them again. I think the longer you are in and more you build in our Brill Hobby, you start to favour various sections of it. I know there's loads of folks that love, painting then weathering etc etc. I love the Build part. I'm sure I'm not alone here but after building so many Tamiya kit's that are simply in my eyes... the best. But don't tend to be kit's that takes your time away in building/construction of the kit, as they really are " shake the box " kit's that once shaken.....they come out built. Ha. I found myself doing more kit's that were perhaps more detailed ( All Tamiya kit's are detailed and awesome and the newer kit's are simply, awesome for detail. I can hear all of the Rivet Counters , queueing up ready to tell me how wrong I am ) . Lol , don't you just love them , bless !!! More detailed and more engineered, in Dragons case , at times they are " over engineered". More detailed because of how cramed the boxes are with plastic, in Dragons case more parts for your spares box . Anyway, really great video. Look forward to the next project of yours. Stay safe and health. Regards Steve

@dylanbrown8045 Жыл бұрын

hi, great model can you list what paints you used. thanks

@Kojak0 4 күн бұрын

Yeah, pretty good kit, the biggest flaws being the ginormous gaps in the hull over the tracks and iirc, the hollow idler wheels, not to mention that the light cages are way too thick... So as iconic as this later M4 model is, there are better kits out there, but given the option, this would be my goto beginner kit.

@ja37d-34 2 жыл бұрын

Great job. :)

@OneofInfinity. 4 ай бұрын

"Jerry"cans: another example of German engineering ingenuity.

@Hjerte_Verke 17 күн бұрын

The tarps are "fun" and provide visual interest and break up the monotony of olive drab, but you put it right over the radiator. That'a a nono and a recipe for overheating but only if the tank is depicted as running in a diorama. Also, if expected to get into action soon the tarp likely wouldn't be there.

@kimjongoof5000 4 жыл бұрын

in my opinion, I like rubber tracks because they make it easier to motorize the tank theoretically

@ZTEWorks 4 жыл бұрын

Kim Jong 005 Agreed. I haven’t used any workable track links before (though I would like to) but I can’t imagine they would stick together very well, especially over any kind of rough terrain. Maybe that’s a video for another time.

@kimjongoof5000 4 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks I guess you're right in this case. What I wish manufacturers would make are fully closed rubber tracks so the tank can roll around with no trouble. Unfortunately, these things are only reserved for 1/16 RC tanks and a few small scaled extinct antiques from decades ago.

@brentgilley7208 2 жыл бұрын

I don't usually worry about aftermarket tracks for most of the allied vehicles. They don't have the sag like the German armour.

@whiskypops 3 жыл бұрын

I have a few sherman kits I want this kit to make a Kelly Heros sherman tank..

@kenstockman8494 3 жыл бұрын

Good job. We'll done. K

@user-ve2zq2te8f 4 ай бұрын

I like to see Tamiya do a M7 1/35 model

@gamerhalim4717 2 жыл бұрын

I need your help. About 1/35 m4a3 75 welded hull. History and which battle they did? And what year? So I can build diorama accuracy.

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

It looks like the M4A3(75) started showing up in Normandy in mid-1944, having started production in February of that year. My advice would be to pick a battle in that time frame and browse photos, looking for an M4A3(75). France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany are all good bets for Northern Europe. I don’t know enough about the Italian front or Marine armor in the Pacific, but I would assume mid- to late-1944 as well. Once again, best bet is to browse photos. Source: The Sherman Minutia Site

@gamerhalim4717 2 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks terima kasih banyak for information 🙏 from Indonesia 🇮🇩

@amixedbag5964 3 жыл бұрын

A hidden gem and already so good and just over 500 subs what the fuck youtube

@allanstott6999 11 ай бұрын

I have an 88 finished but missing the gunner. My dog chewed it to bits when I left them on my table. Nobody ever asked me why there's no gunner 😂

@umutcetin3119 4 жыл бұрын

How does the track system work. How can i make it movable like in 11:56 . Thanks

@emilbt7588 3 жыл бұрын

You will have to be careful of what parts you glue

@scibus2593 3 жыл бұрын

They're rubber band tracks. You might not have noticed, because they're really high quality ones, so they look a lot like link-and-length

@pbldiaz28 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative! Shamefully underviewed video.

@alpteknbaser7773 2 жыл бұрын

✌️

@mrchister7351 2 жыл бұрын

How did the wheel tracks go together on I'm building this and it doesn't work

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

What problems are you experiencing?

@mrchister7351 2 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks nvm i was using the wrong part sorry mate

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

No problem, I’m glad you got it sorted out!

@thearmoredgeorgian2736 3 жыл бұрын

Really satisfy to not hear everything referred to as “thingy” XD

@emilbt7588 4 жыл бұрын

I love it! Did the kit come with any sandskirts as an option?

@ZTEWorks 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you! No skirts for this one; I don’t think A3’s equipped skirts but I could be wrong.

@emilbt7588 4 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks i have seen some a3's with em' and was thinking of getting this kit and since i might be lazy and not want to cover the sponsons, the skirts would have hidden the gaps.

@ZTEWorks 4 жыл бұрын

Emil Scale Modelling Yeah, now that I’ve found the right combination of google search terms I see loads of them. Might be able to knock some together with 0.5 mm styrene, though the curve of the front fender might be tough to wrangle.

@emilbt7588 4 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks try this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a9KBqLZes7i0epc.html

@brandonbrockwell4997 4 жыл бұрын

ZTE Works Little late to the convo but every model of Sherman left the factory with the skirts fitted, the reason why you see so many with them missing is because they were thin sheet metal and prone to breaking off, plus crews would often remove them since they made bogie maintenance a hassle.

@heedlessbigal2157 2 жыл бұрын

Manowar😮🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻

@MrSpook1968 Жыл бұрын

What does the shelf on the front glue onto ?

@ZTEWorks Жыл бұрын

Sherman fenders often had little brackets on them to facilitate the placement of these boards. Tamiya doesn’t supply them however, so it’s glued to the fenders and front slope.

@MrSpook1968 Жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks Thank you very much

@TiberiusMaximus 2 жыл бұрын

are mineral spirits the same as enamel thinner?>

@ZTEWorks 2 жыл бұрын

I believe so, they smell identical and Google says you can thin enamels with mineral spirits. I’m not a chemist though, so maybe they’ve got slight differences.

@TiberiusMaximus 2 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks kzfaq.info/love/YXW9J-5vYg1puACKEYIakw

@hidalgohouse3815 3 жыл бұрын

no music=better videos:)

@jdrake8738 9 ай бұрын

The sponsons ARE a pain... you can see daylight through the hatches, and Tamiya repeated the same omission on their 1/48 scale Sherman (an excellent little kit BTW) as well... if you don't want to fool with making sponsons, I just popped a piece of black-painted cardboard into the bottom of the turret... cover over that hole from the inside and the problem goes away with seeing daylight from the top.... for what it's worth......

@statoilbensin2190 2 күн бұрын

Is it just me or did I see album cover of power metal band Manowar?

@vin10954 3 жыл бұрын

What?? you can get replacements parts for Tamiya kits? Where? How?

@ZTEWorks 3 жыл бұрын

Tamiya customer service! They’re very helpful. Call or email and be sure to have the Tamiya product number (for 1/35 kits, it’s usually a 5 digit number starting with 35) and which sprue you’re ordering. They’ll give you a price and it gets shipped out soon after you pay. I think the sprue I ordered was like $5 plus s&h.

@vin10954 3 жыл бұрын

@@ZTEWorks Thanks! I'll give it a try even though I'm not in the United States.

@ZTEWorks 3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully they’ve got regional service locations. Tamiya isn’t a small company, I hope they’ll be able to help!

@lawsonbeaty4859 Жыл бұрын

I am never using liquid glue ever again

@michealjones3297 5 ай бұрын

Ventilated fumes eh, I bet rule # 1 of tanks crews was never fart inside the tank

@claytonmcclain182 Жыл бұрын

Odd that now I get this video? Anyway awesome build. Very informative video. You helped a lot of guys forsure. I've built probably 25 Tamiya Sherman's and quite a few Dragon Sherman's over the years. Love that web site you have that's my go to for info. Anyway I'll look up you page check your other videos. 👍

@AFV85 2 жыл бұрын

I can't use pencil for graphite it always vanishes with me so just a waste! I tried to varnish it in only to find something interesting, varnish dissolves the graphite from pencil! That was co to watch but not good lol

@Kojak0 4 жыл бұрын

Hm. And here I thought that was a relatively new kit with new tooling - those gaps under the hull are NOT attractive. Sure they can be fixed with plasticard, but that shouldn't be necessary in this day and age... Sure Tamiya kits have always been good as far as the engineering of the kits goes, but they do lack a little in the detail department.

@tokyochannel2020 2 жыл бұрын

Modeling is an art, every modeler can put into their model what he or she wants to. Unless you are making it for a museum or trying for 100% accuracy. It's a hobby, people hopefully do it for fun and as an art, if you want to put extra armor panels on it, then go for it. End of the day if the modeler is happy then that's all that really matters. I've made a bunch of models before from ships to tanks, not all entirely 100% accurate to history, but that's never my personal goal, I like to do "what ifs" because it gets my imagination going.

@C00kingwithsam181 4 ай бұрын

Hey I saw the image of a Sherman with German symbols

@C00kingwithsam181 4 ай бұрын

Why does it have that

@ZTEWorks 4 ай бұрын

Beutepanzer! It was captured by the Germans in working enough condition to be pressed into German service. Happened more on the Eastern Front but it happened in the West as well.

@C00kingwithsam181 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for educating me about that