Many thanks for this review Pete, I had to search the web to find this review and I am already subscribed to to your channel, doh! There are very few reviews of this kit and yours is by far the best, everything I wanted to know, cheers mate from a grateful Pom.
Hi mate. Glad you liked this review. I always check to see how many reviews are out there when about to do mine, and, yeah, there aren't that many on this one. Odd considering how long she's been around! Cheers from Oz!
Thank you for going though the kit, sprue by sprue. I need to build an early production Sherman using the alternate front and rear sections, which to revealed as being present in this kit. Nobody else on RUclips, that I noticed, did such a thorough job - much appreciated!
Thank you. Really appreciate the compliment. Many "reviews" out there feature waving sprues, and vague references, and no sprue close ups, which definitely doesn't help when trying to decide whether to buy a kit or not. Very glad that you found my video helpful! Cheers mate! And thanks again!
Just joined a veterans modelling group and this is our first build. Was completely mystified by the ' alternative' back of the tan - B23 from memory - thanks for clearing up it is not for this version.
Hi Andrew. Actually since this is an Early Sherman, either type of wheel is fine to use, or even both on the same tank, since they were interchangeable, and having "mixed" wheels wasn't unusual, due to damage, and what was readily available in the field for repairs. The (welded) spoked wheels were the earliest type used, then to save production time etc., they went to a pressed steel wheel. BUT, both types were used throughout production of the Early Sherman, depending upon what was available in the factory store houses, and it also depended on which of the 8 factories the Sherman was built at. I believe the Fisher Tank Arsenal primarily used the pressed wheel. Hope this helps a little bit. Cheers!
@@PetesKits that is a really good reply Pete. I thought your review was good and especially liked the close up camera work of the sprues. Thank you for the time you took to do this.
@@andrewredman4551 No worries mate. Sometimes when I'm doing the reviews I forget some of the details I've learnt about the real vehicles. Questions like yours are good mind joggers, and besides, now I want to build the Sherman rather than have it sitting in the cupboard with my other kits. So Cheers! and Thanks!
Much nicer kit than the Battle of the Bulge version which doesn’t have the side skirts, which exposes a big issue with this kit, no under tracks hull, just empty air. With the side skirts on yours no issue and your versions back engine, exhausts etc will hide this. With the BoB version the absence of the under tracks hull and different rear it will be very obvious, it makes the kit not a starter kit as scratch building will be needed to address this. There is also a lot of under hull detail missing, crew escape hatch etc. I picked the BoB version over yours and regret it. Many of its parts have earlier dates to yours, and flash and seam lines are an issue. For myself I regret buying the Tamiya. I think they need to adopt a Classic Kit marque, like Airfix ended up doing, as these and other Tamiya kits are showing their age, and inadequacies. Buyers need clear indication of the age of the kits parts. I am building this currently, and fit is iffy in places, filler has been required.
Yes, the lack of a hull section sitting above the tracks is a common thing with Tamiya AFV's, especially the older kits, many of which still have the switch cut-outs etc underneath, harking from the '60s and early 70's when Tamiya produced motorised models (I still have a couple in a box somewhere). Generally with Tamiya, the cheaper the kit, the older the mould, at least here in Oz. And yes, those moulds are showing their age. Built an old 1970's mould, Tamiya Panther Ausf A, and must say, the fit was "okay" but definitely 1970's standard... Cheers mate!
@@PetesKits Having only recently started messing with 1/35 scale kits i have to say that the older Tamiya kits are at least noob friendly if you just want something nice to have sitting on a shelf at least. I literally picked up this M4 kit the other day and am working out just what i want to do with it
@@RedtailFox1 This is one of the reasons why Tamiya kits are so popular. They are well engineered, with easy to read instructions, and they just "work" right out of the box. My M4 is on the "To Do" list at the moment (along with 6 other kits!) and I'm hoping to start it fairly shortly. Cheers, and happy building!
I haven't built a model in 20-30 years. I really enjoyed this, excellent kit and with simple brush' painting it came out really nice. great kit IMO.
That's excellent. glad you enjoyed building the Sherman. Welcome back to the hobby! Cheers mate!
Many thanks for this review Pete, I had to search the web to find this review and I am already subscribed to to your channel, doh! There are very few reviews of this kit and yours is by far the best, everything I wanted to know, cheers mate from a grateful Pom.
Hi mate. Glad you liked this review. I always check to see how many reviews are out there when about to do mine, and, yeah, there aren't that many on this one. Odd considering how long she's been around! Cheers from Oz!
Thank you for going though the kit, sprue by sprue. I need to build an early production Sherman using the alternate front and rear sections, which to revealed as being present in this kit. Nobody else on RUclips, that I noticed, did such a thorough job - much appreciated!
Thank you. Really appreciate the compliment. Many "reviews" out there feature waving sprues, and vague references, and no sprue close ups, which definitely doesn't help when trying to decide whether to buy a kit or not. Very glad that you found my video helpful! Cheers mate! And thanks again!
Great review. Hope for a great build
Just joined a veterans modelling group and this is our first build. Was completely mystified by the ' alternative' back of the tan - B23 from memory - thanks for clearing up it is not for this version.
Excellent. Glad you found the review helpful! Cheers and happy modelling !
Nice review Pete!
Thanks mate. Love the IPMS vids. So much talent out there. Cheers
@@PetesKits Cool, I agree!
Excellent review
Thanks Nick, much appreciated. Cheers!
Nice review and it looks like a decent kit. 👍
Hi John. Yes, Tamiya just has a knack of producing some very nice kits. Thanks for watching and the comment. Appreciated. Cheers
Another kit in the stash
The review seems a bit confused with regard to which road wheels to use?
Hi Andrew. Actually since this is an Early Sherman, either type of wheel is fine to use, or even both on the same tank, since they were interchangeable, and having "mixed" wheels wasn't unusual, due to damage, and what was readily available in the field for repairs. The (welded) spoked wheels were the earliest type used, then to save production time etc., they went to a pressed steel wheel. BUT, both types were used throughout production of the Early Sherman, depending upon what was available in the factory store houses, and it also depended on which of the 8 factories the Sherman was built at. I believe the Fisher Tank Arsenal primarily used the pressed wheel. Hope this helps a little bit. Cheers!
@@PetesKits that is a really good reply Pete. I thought your review was good and especially liked the close up camera work of the sprues. Thank you for the time you took to do this.
@@andrewredman4551 No worries mate. Sometimes when I'm doing the reviews I forget some of the details I've learnt about the real vehicles. Questions like yours are good mind joggers, and besides, now I want to build the Sherman rather than have it sitting in the cupboard with my other kits. So Cheers! and Thanks!
@@PetesKits - I am building this one along side the Tasca M4A1, interesting dual build. 👍🏻
@@andrewredman4551 Nice one. Tasca is a maker I'm not familiar with but will definitely have a look into their gear. Cheers.
Much nicer kit than the Battle of the Bulge version which doesn’t have the side skirts, which exposes a big issue with this kit, no under tracks hull, just empty air. With the side skirts on yours no issue and your versions back engine, exhausts etc will hide this. With the BoB version the absence of the under tracks hull and different rear it will be very obvious, it makes the kit not a starter kit as scratch building will be needed to address this. There is also a lot of under hull detail missing, crew escape hatch etc. I picked the BoB version over yours and regret it. Many of its parts have earlier dates to yours, and flash and seam lines are an issue. For myself I regret buying the Tamiya. I think they need to adopt a Classic Kit marque, like Airfix ended up doing, as these and other Tamiya kits are showing their age, and inadequacies. Buyers need clear indication of the age of the kits parts. I am building this currently, and fit is iffy in places, filler has been required.
Yes, the lack of a hull section sitting above the tracks is a common thing with Tamiya AFV's, especially the older kits, many of which still have the switch cut-outs etc underneath, harking from the '60s and early 70's when Tamiya produced motorised models (I still have a couple in a box somewhere). Generally with Tamiya, the cheaper the kit, the older the mould, at least here in Oz. And yes, those moulds are showing their age. Built an old 1970's mould, Tamiya Panther Ausf A, and must say, the fit was "okay" but definitely 1970's standard... Cheers mate!
@@PetesKits Having only recently started messing with 1/35 scale kits i have to say that the older Tamiya kits are at least noob friendly if you just want something nice to have sitting on a shelf at least. I literally picked up this M4 kit the other day and am working out just what i want to do with it
@@RedtailFox1 This is one of the reasons why Tamiya kits are so popular. They are well engineered, with easy to read instructions, and they just "work" right out of the box. My M4 is on the "To Do" list at the moment (along with 6 other kits!) and I'm hoping to start it fairly shortly. Cheers, and happy building!