Mate i was on the wall about this kit because I have a couple Sherman's in the stash but after reading your comment about New Zealand markings I went and bought. By the way you haven't truly lived until you have made Takom Panther tracks 😂
Nice model kit. As for older men, like myself I hate working with small parts. It's a nightmare ! 1/16 scale is perfect for me and more enjoyable to build. Great video Andy.
Hello mr Andy!boy!thats a lot of detail.but thats something I am expecting from Border.that one piece Barrel is nice.with sticky greetings from Brandenburg germany.faithfully yours.your modellmate.christian
VERY exciting news! I love the early 4A1 Shermans with the cast hull & turret! They showed up in North Africa, Sicily, Italy AND even Normandy This is why I've been hoping like heck that Andy will release a 4A1 AND a 4A2 in 1/16th scale. My only 'hmm?' moments came when I saw how thick the track skids are....waaaay too thick, so surgery will be required, as well as the fact that British & Commonwealth Shermans often used a different type of track and/or a cannon with a slightly different profile (it widened at the end & thickness along its length was different). BTW, the logs would not have been relevant in North Africa & Sicily. Furthermore, it was quite common for U.S. & British/Commonwealth Shermans in North Africa & Sicily to slap mud on their 4A1s as part of the camo sceme (including to cover up the bright yellow markings on U.S. Shermans..), so do your research, as some of these schemes MAY not have been 100% paint...) I really like the 3D--printed parts & photo-etch, as well as Border Models starting to provide clear parts. Overall, this looks like a great option to the very good Asuka & Dragon versions!
Hi Andy, cool another Sherman kit! A bit of competition for Asuka’s mid production kit. The skids look to be too thick and I personally would cut them off and change them, and it doesn’t look like the bogies are workable. Accessories are a great addition w/Barrel, 3D light guards and tow cable Inc. I hope they include optional duckbill end connectors for the T48 tracks. RFM still have the best kits! I hope that you’re doing a build at a later date?
Both ''Cricklade '' and ''Eternity'' had the early bogey's with the return roller on top. just saying. ''Cricklade'' also had direct vision slots for the driver and co-driver.
I love building the Sherman. But really, there’s a ton of Sherman models out there that are very nice. What makes this one different that stands out from the other’s ? Model companies need to start making more unique kits that haven’t been run through over and over.
Ikr , dragon pretty much filled the entire ww2 medium tank market a decade ago. Wonder why noones bothered to try some of the post-war variants like the HV-60mm
@EverettGajerski even a sherman variant is uncalled for at this stage... once you've seen one sherman, you've seen them all. It's a little boring to constantly see American, German or Russian tanks all the time... it'd be nice to see the weird and wacky of Japan, UK, France, Italy, hell even Hungary and Czech ones.
As for there is plenty of Sherman’s. There were a lot of variations, so there are still variants (not necessarily this one) that are not modeled. As for Asuka models: they are known to be the best researched and most accurate kits. But their molds are getting worn, so people are unhappy about that. Also they are not readily available and often sold out. Dragon models have their own issues - inaccuracies and then there are the tracks….. so they are not well liked RFM has basically 2 variants and so does Meng. They seem to be appreciated. This kit seems be a typical Border Models kit: Wow - metal barrel, 3d printed light guards Why - these really thick track skids. Not sure about the Cricklade decals
I imagine they're doing this for the diorama possibilities with the 1/35 airplanes they've been putting out. I'd like to seem them put out a 1/35 P-47 and P-51, then some late war German armor.
I noticed that there were only the Spoked, Welded Road Wheels included in this kit. Though they ARE correct for Early-to-Mid Production M4 and M4A1s, by the time of the Normandy Invasion, MANY M4A1s were equipped with the "solid" STAMPED Road Wheels, which I think SHOULD ALSO HAVE BEEN INCLUDED in this particular Sherman kit. Many manufacturers other than BORDER, such as DML/DRAGON, ITALERI, ACADEMY, ASUKA/TASCA, include both of these styles of Road Wheels in their Early-to-Mid Production Shermans, (M4 & M4A1) and SOME manufacturers even INCLUDE the "solid" DISHED Road Wheels. Also, this kit seems only to contain the STAMPED Drive Sprockets- Many M4s and M4A1s STILL had the earlier "STAR"-style "manufactured" Drive Sprockets. I did NOT happen to see which Rear Idlers BORDER included in this kit. I noticed an INITIAL-Production Main Gun Mantlet, but I DID NOT see any of the (M34/M34A1) MID or LATE-style Gun Mantlets included, either. These two other Gun Mantlets would ALSO have been seen on M4s and M4A1s by the time of the Normandy Invasion. However, the OTHER Manufacturers, (see above) include these different Gun Mantlets in their kits. Transmission Covers- There were THREE different styles of these, and I think BORDER SHOUD have included these, as well. Once again, all three of these different Transmission Covers, including the INITIAL 3-piece Cover, were in use by 1944 and after . I would like to take a closer "HANDS ON" look at the BORDER kit, though on the surface of things, I think it looks like a fine kit. Chalk me up for at least ONE or TWO of these.!!! 😃
Hi Andy .. As for Shermans, this kit seems to have been made up from a post war rebuild or something like someone didn't do their homework.. Those track skids are way out of scale .. the horn guard is wrong for an early M4A1 ... they should have given both mantlet types.. Both the mid and early transmission covers would have been a good option. Track type is one used more by the British and probably wrong for the markings... The cast hull looks good .. turret has a line that will need to be sanded out this losing some of the cast effects .. the spot light looks less detailed than that of the old Tamiya kit .. Some of the decal options might not be right for the parts you get in the kit. It's great to see more options when it comes to Shermans but I don't think I'll be selling my Asuka shermans quite yet.
Yellow stars were used in N. Africa. "Gold" stars were used on some vehicles in Normandy. The gold color was a gas detection coating that would change color if "gas" was used. Not sure which kind of gas though. And I don't think the gold stars were used very often or for more than a few days???
It's good to see the kit is not stupidly complicated. I still don't know if there are weld seams around the channels, U-bolt brackets, vent guards and so on. And I might be wrong, but those tracks? They look like neither the usual British nor US steel Chevron type. It'd be nice to know what the options actually ARE (unit, location etc), if Border tells us... not just to see the pictures.
So, I'm going to say this is an 'early' mid M4A1, because it has the mid production VVSS bogies but it hasn't got the applique armor the remanufactured mids had. Modelers might want to check their references carefully to avoid any inaccuracies with the decals. Otherwise, it looks great. The connection points on the track teeth look to be a pain but I suppose they can be lived with.
I've been following these border shermans on their FB page and all the mistakes it had to begin with wrong hatched and had a cupla but all the modellers got it sorted in the comments they have a couple more on their aswell
The YELLOW or GOLD star markings were used in North Africa primarily by 1st Armored Division. The gold band with those "odd" markings were for unit identification. I was in 1st Armored Division while in West Germany from 1985-1988 & Fort Riley, KS, from 1995-2001 so had to know that stuff from promotion boards and other "fun" stuff. The yellow/gold markings were quickly discontinued before the North African campaign ended. Also, other people have commented that a version of these same markings were used during D-Day. That was for CHEMICAL weapon detection. Should some type of chemical touch that material it would turn colors indicating the presence of a chemical weapon in the immediate area. Yep - did that stuff plenty of times while in the military by placing chemical detection tape on vehicles and/or clothing - still not "fun"/
I like Border Models and look foward to another player in the Sherman field. Even with all the Sherman kits out there, there's still a ton of versions not in styrene and many not in resin. That being said, after the disaster that this kit's planned sister looks like (which was a freaky fantasy frankenstein of Sherman types) like I'm definetly worried.
The early Shermans could be better represented with good and available kits. A British desert version would be nice. There is the Ram as a possibility ... I don't think it has ever been offered in 1/35.
This looks a lot like Dragon's M4A1's. And for me, I'll stick with the Dragon... Yeah, the Dragon Tracks are a pain, but they look right. And with all the extra Sprues in their Kits I can build about any version! Border needs to look into Asuka's Accuracy and Dragon's Parts assortment! Then they can have the new bomb Sherman Kit!!!
Nobody is gonna mention that the instructions only show the split commanders hatch (which I think is correct) but all of the decals options show the 360 vision cupola? 🤔
They done a fury type accessorie for it with the German gasmask on front it's on accessorie sprue and they copied asukas gerry can design the best way with just the top needing added
@Ife_As Andy is America, if someone waves the American flag in front of him, he'd salute it. Of course he's happy about it... It seems some people forget countries other than America exist and have fascinating histories
@@Enemy0fMine1415 Your complaint should be directed to the manufacturer not the retailer, Andy obviously had nothing to do with the production of the kit, and as a buyer you have first right of refusal - don't like it, don't buy it but don't be churlish about it in the meantime.
We realy miss your build video andy
yes
Good to see they have New Zealand markings. Over all a good looking kit, have some doubts about those tracks though.
Mate i was on the wall about this kit because I have a couple Sherman's in the stash but after reading your comment about New Zealand markings I went and bought. By the way you haven't truly lived until you have made Takom Panther tracks 😂
Sure do wish they would make one in 1/16 scale. This is one of my favorite versions.
Ya, me too. I’d love to see a 1/16 version!
Nice model kit. As for older men, like myself I hate working with small parts. It's a nightmare ! 1/16 scale is perfect for me and more enjoyable to build. Great video Andy.
Every new video from you means joy to me
Hello mr Andy!boy!thats a lot of detail.but thats something I am expecting from Border.that one piece Barrel is nice.with sticky greetings from Brandenburg germany.faithfully yours.your modellmate.christian
Good to see you back doing 1/35 scale review for us Andy
VERY exciting news! I love the early 4A1 Shermans with the cast hull & turret! They showed up in North Africa, Sicily, Italy AND even Normandy This is why I've been hoping like heck that Andy will release a 4A1 AND a 4A2 in 1/16th scale. My only 'hmm?' moments came when I saw how thick the track skids are....waaaay too thick, so surgery will be required, as well as the fact that British & Commonwealth Shermans often used a different type of track and/or a cannon with a slightly different profile (it widened at the end & thickness along its length was different).
BTW, the logs would not have been relevant in North Africa & Sicily. Furthermore, it was quite common for U.S. & British/Commonwealth Shermans in North Africa & Sicily to slap mud on their 4A1s as part of the camo sceme (including to cover up the bright yellow markings on U.S. Shermans..), so do your research, as some of these schemes MAY not have been 100% paint...) I really like the 3D--printed parts & photo-etch, as well as Border Models starting to provide clear parts. Overall, this looks like a great option to the very good Asuka & Dragon versions!
Hi Andy, cool another Sherman kit!
A bit of competition for Asuka’s mid production kit.
The skids look to be too thick and I personally would cut them off and change them, and it doesn’t look like the bogies are workable.
Accessories are a great addition w/Barrel, 3D light guards and tow cable Inc.
I hope they include optional duckbill end connectors for the T48 tracks.
RFM still have the best kits!
I hope that you’re doing a build at a later date?
Both ''Cricklade '' and ''Eternity'' had the early bogey's with the return roller on top. just saying. ''Cricklade'' also had direct vision slots for the driver and co-driver.
Great looking detail, love the cast hull and turret, could be a winner
The "yellow" stars were Initially used in North Afrika
Andy needs to do a 1/16 scale M4A1 with VVSS
Since have the m10 chassis would be a great add on.
My favorite Sherman variant! Now if only a 1/16 AHHQ version….
If you ever visit a factory I’m sure every viewer would love to know how the molds are designed and then made!!
I love building the Sherman. But really, there’s a ton of Sherman models out there that are very nice. What makes this one different that stands out from the other’s ? Model companies need to start making more unique kits that haven’t been run through over and over.
I was thinking it was just me wanting this... but good to know there are others out there too lol
Ikr , dragon pretty much filled the entire ww2 medium tank market a decade ago. Wonder why noones bothered to try some of the post-war variants like the HV-60mm
@EverettGajerski even a sherman variant is uncalled for at this stage... once you've seen one sherman, you've seen them all. It's a little boring to constantly see American, German or Russian tanks all the time... it'd be nice to see the weird and wacky of Japan, UK, France, Italy, hell even Hungary and Czech ones.
I had a 1/72 Airfix Sherman but turned it into a Calliope took some doing but it looked good
As for there is plenty of Sherman’s. There were a lot of variations, so there are still variants (not necessarily this one) that are not modeled.
As for Asuka models: they are known to be the best researched and most accurate kits. But their molds are getting worn, so people are unhappy about that. Also they are not readily available and often sold out.
Dragon models have their own issues - inaccuracies and then there are the tracks….. so they are not well liked
RFM has basically 2 variants and so does Meng. They seem to be appreciated.
This kit seems be a typical Border Models kit:
Wow - metal barrel, 3d printed light guards
Why - these really thick track skids. Not sure about the Cricklade decals
I imagine they're doing this for the diorama possibilities with the 1/35 airplanes they've been putting out. I'd like to seem them put out a 1/35 P-47 and P-51, then some late war German armor.
I noticed that there were only the Spoked, Welded Road Wheels included in this kit. Though they ARE correct for Early-to-Mid Production M4 and M4A1s, by the time of the Normandy Invasion, MANY M4A1s were equipped with the "solid" STAMPED Road Wheels, which I think SHOULD ALSO HAVE BEEN INCLUDED in this particular Sherman kit. Many manufacturers other than BORDER, such as DML/DRAGON, ITALERI, ACADEMY, ASUKA/TASCA, include both of these styles of Road Wheels in their Early-to-Mid Production Shermans, (M4 & M4A1) and SOME manufacturers even INCLUDE the "solid" DISHED Road Wheels. Also, this kit seems only to contain the STAMPED Drive Sprockets- Many M4s and M4A1s STILL had the earlier "STAR"-style "manufactured" Drive Sprockets. I did NOT happen to see which Rear Idlers BORDER included in this kit. I noticed an INITIAL-Production Main Gun Mantlet, but I DID NOT see any of the (M34/M34A1) MID or LATE-style Gun Mantlets included, either. These two other Gun Mantlets would ALSO have been seen on M4s and M4A1s by the time of the Normandy Invasion. However, the OTHER Manufacturers, (see above) include these different Gun Mantlets in their kits. Transmission Covers- There were THREE different styles of these, and I think BORDER SHOUD have included these, as well. Once again, all three of these different Transmission Covers, including the INITIAL 3-piece Cover, were in use by 1944 and after . I would like to take a closer "HANDS ON" look at the BORDER kit, though on the surface of things, I think it looks like a fine kit. Chalk me up for at least ONE or TWO of these.!!! 😃
Ha ha, if you buy two, probably a subsequent release will give you all those alternative parts 😅
Andy build this please :) be nice to see some 35th again :)
Hi Andy .. As for Shermans, this kit seems to have been made up from a post war rebuild or something like someone didn't do their homework.. Those track skids are way out of scale .. the horn guard is wrong for an early M4A1 ... they should have given both mantlet types.. Both the mid and early transmission covers would have been a good option. Track type is one used more by the British and probably wrong for the markings... The cast hull looks good .. turret has a line that will need to be sanded out this losing some of the cast effects .. the spot light looks less detailed than that of the old Tamiya kit .. Some of the decal options might not be right for the parts you get in the kit.
It's great to see more options when it comes to Shermans but I don't think I'll be selling my Asuka shermans quite yet.
Yellow stars were used in N. Africa. "Gold" stars were used on some vehicles in Normandy. The gold color was a gas detection coating that would change color if "gas" was used. Not sure which kind of gas though. And I don't think the gold stars were used very often or for more than a few days???
It's good to see the kit is not stupidly complicated.
I still don't know if there are weld seams around the channels, U-bolt brackets, vent guards and so on. And I might be wrong, but those tracks? They look like neither the usual British nor US steel Chevron type.
It'd be nice to know what the options actually ARE (unit, location etc), if Border tells us... not just to see the pictures.
I have an old Dragon kit and the mouldings for the hull, turret and tracks look the same.
I was surprised they didn't include a resin figure or a cool Tankers patch with the kit like they done with all the German stuff!
Sherman experts; how does this kit look accuracy wise?
It's not faring too well over on Missing Lynx.
SpruesnBrews does an in-depth tutorial on all variants of the M4.
i wish border would give the info of the shermans in there painting guide...saying that it does look a great kit..
Ok I'll have to have one. When I build it who knows. But add to the stash. 😉😄
Nice looking model..the Brit North Africa marking ''Crickade'' isn't much use without the sand guards that were used on those vehicles
Very nice 😎
The instructions say not to glue the guide horns onto the track links, so it appears it may be a workable track.
So, I'm going to say this is an 'early' mid M4A1, because it has the mid production VVSS bogies but it hasn't got the applique armor the remanufactured mids had. Modelers might want to check their references carefully to avoid any inaccuracies with the decals. Otherwise, it looks great. The connection points on the track teeth look to be a pain but I suppose they can be lived with.
I've been following these border shermans on their FB page and all the mistakes it had to begin with wrong hatched and had a cupla but all the modellers got it sorted in the comments they have a couple more on their aswell
"Preview"
But I want it now !
The YELLOW or GOLD star markings were used in North Africa primarily by 1st Armored Division. The gold band with those "odd" markings were for unit identification. I was in 1st Armored Division while in West Germany from 1985-1988 & Fort Riley, KS, from 1995-2001 so had to know that stuff from promotion boards and other "fun" stuff. The yellow/gold markings were quickly discontinued before the North African campaign ended. Also, other people have commented that a version of these same markings were used during D-Day. That was for CHEMICAL weapon detection. Should some type of chemical touch that material it would turn colors indicating the presence of a chemical weapon in the immediate area. Yep - did that stuff plenty of times while in the military by placing chemical detection tape on vehicles and/or clothing - still not "fun"/
Looks nice
I like Border Models and look foward to another player in the Sherman field. Even with all the Sherman kits out there, there's still a ton of versions not in styrene and many not in resin. That being said, after the disaster that this kit's planned sister looks like (which was a freaky fantasy frankenstein of Sherman types) like I'm definetly worried.
The early Shermans could be better represented with good and available kits. A British desert version would be nice. There is the Ram as a possibility ... I don't think it has ever been offered in 1/35.
This looks a lot like Dragon's M4A1's. And for me, I'll stick with the Dragon... Yeah, the Dragon Tracks are a pain, but they look right. And with all the extra Sprues in their Kits I can build about any version!
Border needs to look into Asuka's Accuracy and Dragon's Parts assortment! Then they can have the new bomb Sherman Kit!!!
Hiya Andy - what's the route you use to contact Border? I've tried their 2 email addresses, X, FB and YT with no luck getting a response. Cheers
Are they going to make one with interior in it and engine?
Nobody is gonna mention that the instructions only show the split commanders hatch (which I think is correct) but all of the decals options show the 360 vision cupola?
🤔
I'll have to put this one on the wish list! Been looking for a M4A1 kit for a while.
They done a fury type accessorie for it with the German gasmask on front it's on accessorie sprue and they copied asukas gerry can design the best way with just the top needing added
Yay !!! Something that's not 1/16 scale.
are they coming out the the "fury" kit?
Just a comment for the algorithm
Exciting? Mid at best. It's a Sherman.
Border need to include better instructions
Oh joy, another sherman kit, goodie... said no one ever.
Seriously, there are tanks that barely get a look in for kits, why not focus on those?
Literally a couple of people happy about this release in the comments section. Even Andy seems excited 😅
@Ife_As Andy is America, if someone waves the American flag in front of him, he'd salute it. Of course he's happy about it...
It seems some people forget countries other than America exist and have fascinating histories
@@Enemy0fMine1415 Your complaint should be directed to the manufacturer not the retailer, Andy obviously had nothing to do with the production of the kit, and as a buyer you have first right of refusal - don't like it, don't buy it but don't be churlish about it in the meantime.
@@Enemy0fMine1415 What an odd comment.
@@Enemy0fMine1415: Give me a break! Andy has gotten excited about and built plenty of non-American subjects.
WOW!!! KEEP EM COMING ANDY !!!
I WAS WONDERING WHEN THEY WOULD DO THAT!!!!