In Box Review of Italeri 1/35th Scale
M4A3 Sherman With Calliope
Kit no. 288
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1995
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 1995
HISTORY:
The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It was also the basis of several other armored fighting vehicles including self-propelled artillery, tank destroyers, and armored recovery vehicles. Tens of thousands were distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. The tank was named by the British after the American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman.
The M4 Sherman evolved from the M3 Medium Tank,[a] which – for speed of development – had its main armament in a side sponson mount. The M4 retained much of the previous mechanical design, but moved the main 75 mm gun into a fully traversing central turret. One feature, a one-axis gyrostabilizer, was not precise enough to allow firing when moving but did help keep the gun aimed in roughly the right direction for when the tank stopped to fire. The designers stressed reliability, ease of production and maintenance, durability, standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants, and moderate size and weight (to facilitate shipping and for compatibility with existing bridging equipment size and weight limit restrictions.
These factors, combined with Sherman's then-superior armor and armament, outclassed German light and medium tanks fielded in 1939–42. The M4 was the most-produced tank in American history, with 49,324 produced (including variants). During World War II, the Sherman spearheaded many offensives by the Allies after 1942.
When the M4 tank went into combat in North Africa with the British Army at the Second Battle of El Alamein in late 1942, it increased the advantage of Allied armor over Axis armor and was superior to the lighter German and Italian tank designs. For this reason, the US Army believed that the M4 would be adequate to win the war, and relatively little pressure was initially exerted for further tank development.
Logistical and transport restrictions, such as limitations imposed by roads, ports, and bridges, also complicated the introduction of a more capable but heavier tank. Tank destroyer battalions using vehicles built on the M4 hull and chassis, but with open-topped turrets and more potent high-velocity guns, also entered widespread use in the Allied armies.Even by 1944, most M4 Shermans kept their dual-purpose 75 mm gun. By then, the M4 was inferior in firepower and armor to increasing numbers of German upgraded medium tanks and heavy tanks but was able to fight on with the help of considerable numerical superiority, greater mechanical reliability, better logistical support, and support from growing numbers of fighter-bombers and artillery pieces.
Later in the war, a more effective armor-piercing gun, the 76 mm gun M1, was incorporated into production vehicles. For anti-tank work, the British refitted Shermans with a 76.2 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun (as the Sherman Firefly). Some were fitted with a 105 mm gun to act as infantry support vehicles. The relative ease of production allowed large numbers of the M4 to be manufactured, and significant investment in tank recovery and repair units allowed disabled vehicles to be repaired and returned to service quickly. These factors combined to give the Allies numerical superiority in most battles, and many infantry divisions were provided with M4s and tank destroyers. By 1944, a typical U.S. infantry division had attached for armor support an M4 Sherman battalion, a tank destroyer battalion, or both.
After World War II, the Sherman, particularly the many improved and upgraded versions, continued to see combat service in many conflicts around the world, including the U.N forces in the Korean War, with Israel in the Arab–Israeli wars, briefly with South Vietnam in the Vietnam War, and on both sides of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: United States
In service: 1942–1957 (United States)
Used by: United States, and many others (see Foreign variants and use)
Wars: World War II, Indonesian National Revolution, Greek Civil War, First Indochina War, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Korean War, Cuban Revolution, Revolución Libertadora, Suez Crisis, 1958 Lebanon crisis, Nicaraguan Revolution, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Six-Day War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Yom Kippur War, Lebanese Civil War, Uganda–Tanzania War, Iran–Iraq War
Designer: U.S. Army Ordnance Department
Designed: 1940
Manufacturer: American Locomotive Company, Baldwin Locomotive Works, Detroit Tank Arsenal, Federal Machine and Welder Company, Fisher Tank Arsenal, Ford Motor Company, Lima Locomotive Works, Pacific Car and Foundry Company, Pressed Steel Car Company, Pullman-Standard Car Company
Unit cost: $44,556–64,455 in 1945 dollars, depending upon variant ($607,861–879,336 in 2017 dollars)
Produced: September 1941 (prototype), February 1942 – July 1945
No. built: 49,234, excluding prototype
Mass: 66,800–84,000 lb (33.4–42.0 short tons, 30.3–38.1 tonnes) depending upon variant
Length: 19 ft 2 in–20 ft 7 in (5.84–6.27 m) depending upon variant
Width: 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m) to 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) depending upon variant
Height: 9 ft 0 in–9 ft 9 in (2.74–2.97 m) depending upon variant
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver/bow gunner)
Armor: 12.7 to 177.8 mm (0.50 to 7.00 in) depending on location and variant
The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It was also the basis of several other armored fighting vehicles including self-propelled artillery, tank destroyers, and armored recovery vehicles. Tens of thousands were distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. The tank was named by the British after the American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman.
The M4 Sherman evolved from the M3 Medium Tank,[a] which – for speed of development – had its main armament in a side sponson mount. The M4 retained much of the previous mechanical design, but moved the main 75 mm gun into a fully traversing central turret. One feature, a one-axis gyrostabilizer, was not precise enough to allow firing when moving but did help keep the gun aimed in roughly the right direction for when the tank stopped to fire. The designers stressed reliability, ease of production and maintenance, durability, standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants, and moderate size and weight (to facilitate shipping and for compatibility with existing bridging equipment size and weight limit restrictions.
These factors, combined with Sherman's then-superior armor and armament, outclassed German light and medium tanks fielded in 1939–42. The M4 was the most-produced tank in American history, with 49,324 produced (including variants). During World War II, the Sherman spearheaded many offensives by the Allies after 1942.
When the M4 tank went into combat in North Africa with the British Army at the Second Battle of El Alamein in late 1942, it increased the advantage of Allied armor over Axis armor and was superior to the lighter German and Italian tank designs. For this reason, the US Army believed that the M4 would be adequate to win the war, and relatively little pressure was initially exerted for further tank development.
Logistical and transport restrictions, such as limitations imposed by roads, ports, and bridges, also complicated the introduction of a more capable but heavier tank. Tank destroyer battalions using vehicles built on the M4 hull and chassis, but with open-topped turrets and more potent high-velocity guns, also entered widespread use in the Allied armies.Even by 1944, most M4 Shermans kept their dual-purpose 75 mm gun. By then, the M4 was inferior in firepower and armor to increasing numbers of German upgraded medium tanks and heavy tanks but was able to fight on with the help of considerable numerical superiority, greater mechanical reliability, better logistical support, and support from growing numbers of fighter-bombers and artillery pieces.
Later in the war, a more effective armor-piercing gun, the 76 mm gun M1, was incorporated into production vehicles. For anti-tank work, the British refitted Shermans with a 76.2 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun (as the Sherman Firefly). Some were fitted with a 105 mm gun to act as infantry support vehicles. The relative ease of production allowed large numbers of the M4 to be manufactured, and significant investment in tank recovery and repair units allowed disabled vehicles to be repaired and returned to service quickly. These factors combined to give the Allies numerical superiority in most battles, and many infantry divisions were provided with M4s and tank destroyers. By 1944, a typical U.S. infantry division had attached for armor support an M4 Sherman battalion, a tank destroyer battalion, or both.
After World War II, the Sherman, particularly the many improved and upgraded versions, continued to see combat service in many conflicts around the world, including the U.N forces in the Korean War, with Israel in the Arab–Israeli wars, briefly with South Vietnam in the Vietnam War, and on both sides of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Medium tank
Place of origin: United States
In service: 1942–1957 (United States)
Used by: United States, and many others (see Foreign variants and use)
Wars: World War II, Indonesian National Revolution, Greek Civil War, First Indochina War, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Korean War, Cuban Revolution, Revolución Libertadora, Suez Crisis, 1958 Lebanon crisis, Nicaraguan Revolution, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Six-Day War, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Yom Kippur War, Lebanese Civil War, Uganda–Tanzania War, Iran–Iraq War
Designer: U.S. Army Ordnance Department
Designed: 1940
Manufacturer: American Locomotive Company, Baldwin Locomotive Works, Detroit Tank Arsenal, Federal Machine and Welder Company, Fisher Tank Arsenal, Ford Motor Company, Lima Locomotive Works, Pacific Car and Foundry Company, Pressed Steel Car Company, Pullman-Standard Car Company
Unit cost: $44,556–64,455 in 1945 dollars, depending upon variant ($607,861–879,336 in 2017 dollars)
Produced: September 1941 (prototype), February 1942 – July 1945
No. built: 49,234, excluding prototype
Mass: 66,800–84,000 lb (33.4–42.0 short tons, 30.3–38.1 tonnes) depending upon variant
Length: 19 ft 2 in–20 ft 7 in (5.84–6.27 m) depending upon variant
Width: 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m) to 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m) depending upon variant
Height: 9 ft 0 in–9 ft 9 in (2.74–2.97 m) depending upon variant
Crew: 5 (commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver/bow gunner)
Armor: 12.7 to 177.8 mm (0.50 to 7.00 in) depending on location and variant
Main armament: 75 mm gun M3 (90–104 rounds) or 76 mm gun M1A1, M1A1C, or M1A2 (71 rounds) or105 mm howitzer M4 (66 rounds)
Secondary armament: .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine gun (300–600 rounds), 2-4.30 caliber Browning M1919A4 machine guns (6,000–6,750 rounds) depending on variant
Engine: M4 and M4A1 model:Continental R975-C1 or -C4 9 cylinder radial gasoline engine,350 or 400 hp (261 or 298 kW) at 2,400 rpm, M4A2 model: General Motors 6046 twin inline diesel engine; 375 hp (280 kW) at 2,100 rpm, M4A3 model: Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine; 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,600 rpm, M4A4 model: Chrysler A57 multibank ~(30 cylinder) gasoline engine; 370 hp (276 kW) at 2,400 rpm, M4A6 model: Caterpillar D-200A (Wright RD-1820) 9 cylinder radial diesel engine; 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,400 rpm
Power/weight: 10.46–13.49 hp/short ton (8.60–11.09 kW/t) depending upon variant
Transmission: Spicer manual synchromesh transmission, 5 forward and 1 reverse gears
Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS) or horizontal volute spring suspension (HVSS)
Fuel capacity: 138–175 US gal (520–660 L; 115–146 imp gal) depending upon variant
Operational range: Road: 100–150 mi (160–240 km) depending upon variant, Cross-country: 60–100 mi (97–161 km) depending upon variant
Maximum speed: 22–30 mph (35–48 km/h) on road, depending upon variant.
The Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope) was a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher used by the United States Army during World War II. The launcher was placed atop the M4 Sherman, with its prominent vertical side frames anchored to the turret's sides and fired a barrage of 4.5-inch (110 mm) M8 rockets from 60 launch tubes. It was developed in 1943; small numbers were produced and were used by various US armor units in 1944–45. Its name comes from the calliope, a musical instrument also known as a steam organ, which has similar parallel or clustered pipes.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank-mounted rocket launcher (rocket-artillery tank)
Place of origin: United States
Wars: World War II
Designer: Victor Hawkins
Designed: 1943
Main armament: 60 × 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets (T34), 64 × 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets (T34E1)
Secondary armament: .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine gun (300–600 rounds), 2-4.30 caliber Browning M1919A4 machine guns (6,000–6,750 rounds) depending on variant
Engine: M4 and M4A1 model:Continental R975-C1 or -C4 9 cylinder radial gasoline engine,350 or 400 hp (261 or 298 kW) at 2,400 rpm, M4A2 model: General Motors 6046 twin inline diesel engine; 375 hp (280 kW) at 2,100 rpm, M4A3 model: Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine; 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,600 rpm, M4A4 model: Chrysler A57 multibank ~(30 cylinder) gasoline engine; 370 hp (276 kW) at 2,400 rpm, M4A6 model: Caterpillar D-200A (Wright RD-1820) 9 cylinder radial diesel engine; 450 hp (336 kW) at 2,400 rpm
Power/weight: 10.46–13.49 hp/short ton (8.60–11.09 kW/t) depending upon variant
Transmission: Spicer manual synchromesh transmission, 5 forward and 1 reverse gears
Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS) or horizontal volute spring suspension (HVSS)
Fuel capacity: 138–175 US gal (520–660 L; 115–146 imp gal) depending upon variant
Operational range: Road: 100–150 mi (160–240 km) depending upon variant, Cross-country: 60–100 mi (97–161 km) depending upon variant
Maximum speed: 22–30 mph (35–48 km/h) on road, depending upon variant.
The Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope) was a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher used by the United States Army during World War II. The launcher was placed atop the M4 Sherman, with its prominent vertical side frames anchored to the turret's sides and fired a barrage of 4.5-inch (110 mm) M8 rockets from 60 launch tubes. It was developed in 1943; small numbers were produced and were used by various US armor units in 1944–45. Its name comes from the calliope, a musical instrument also known as a steam organ, which has similar parallel or clustered pipes.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Type: Tank-mounted rocket launcher (rocket-artillery tank)
Place of origin: United States
Wars: World War II
Designer: Victor Hawkins
Designed: 1943
Main armament: 60 × 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets (T34), 64 × 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets (T34E1)
THE KIT:
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a M4A3 Sherman with Calliope on a surface that has small remains of snow on it. It is at night. The tank is firing the Calliope. It is overall olive-drab with no markings shown.
One side panel has 8 one-paragraph histories in that many languages, including English. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
It is said that the model makes up to be 179 mm long (7”).
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color illustration of a M4A3 Sherman with Calliope on a surface that has small remains of snow on it. It is at night. The tank is firing the Calliope. It is overall olive-drab with no markings shown.
One side panel has 8 one-paragraph histories in that many languages, including English. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
It is said that the model makes up to be 179 mm long (7”).
The other side panel has 4 more histories, also marked with the flags of the countries that speak those languages too.
The kit is not suitable for children under 3 years of age because of sharp parts. It is designed for modelers over the age of 10.
Copyright of the kit is 1997 and Italeri’s street address in Italy is provided. In multiple languages, including English.
A suggested list of Model Master brand paints and their numbers are listed.
The kit is not suitable for children under 3 years of age because of sharp parts. It is designed for modelers over the age of 10.
Copyright of the kit is 1997 and Italeri’s street address in Italy is provided. In multiple languages, including English.
A suggested list of Model Master brand paints and their numbers are listed.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit holds 4 olive-drab parts trees, black vinyl tracks, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 6 ¾” x 12 ¾” page format.
Page 1 gives one paragraph histories of the Sherman in 10 languages, including English. Over decal application instructions in 8 languages, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit in the 8 languages, over READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 8 gives a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 8 shows a side view of the M4A3 Sherman with Calliope in overall olive-drab, with an illustration of a white chevron with a blank shield below it on its sides.
It was with the U.S. Army, Belgium, Winter 1944.
At the bottom is a 4-view of the M4A3, again in overall olive-drab, with white star on the sides of the turret and hull.
Nothing is cello bagged.
Trees are alphabetized.
Olive-drab letter A tree holds: the hull top, the nose front wall, rear wall, rolled tarp, hatch doors, tools, Thompson machine gun, tow cables etc. (44 parts) 15 parts are excess.
The kit holds 4 olive-drab parts trees, black vinyl tracks, the decal sheet and the instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet that accordion-folds out into 8 pages in 6 ¾” x 12 ¾” page format.
Page 1 gives one paragraph histories of the Sherman in 10 languages, including English. Over decal application instructions in 8 languages, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTIONS about the kit in the 8 languages, over READ BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions.
The bottom of page 2 through to the top of page 8 gives a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
The bottom of page 8 shows a side view of the M4A3 Sherman with Calliope in overall olive-drab, with an illustration of a white chevron with a blank shield below it on its sides.
It was with the U.S. Army, Belgium, Winter 1944.
At the bottom is a 4-view of the M4A3, again in overall olive-drab, with white star on the sides of the turret and hull.
Nothing is cello bagged.
Trees are alphabetized.
Olive-drab letter A tree holds: the hull top, the nose front wall, rear wall, rolled tarp, hatch doors, tools, Thompson machine gun, tow cables etc. (44 parts) 15 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter B tree holds: the hull tub, drive sprockets, axles, final transfer covers, etc. (71 parts) 14 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter C tree holds: turret parts, mantle, main gun barrel, road wheels, hatch doors etc. (42 parts)
Olive-drab letter D tree holds the parts of the Calliope (36 parts)
The vinyl 1 piece tracks are next.
The decal sheet completes the kit contents.
There are no figures included in the kit.
The detail is quite nice.
Recommended.
The detail is quite nice.
Recommended.