In Box Review of Italeri 1/35th Scale
U.S. Marines M4 Sherman
it no. 6389
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2001
Out of production
Available as a M4-A1 version in the 2004 re-boxing kit no. 225 from Megahobby for $34.19 or from 1001 Hobbies for $34.99 or from Kit Linx for $30.39 or from Sprue Bros. for $27.99 and at 9 locations overseas on the web.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2001
Out of production
Available as a M4-A1 version in the 2004 re-boxing kit no. 225 from Megahobby for $34.19 or from 1001 Hobbies for $34.99 or from Kit Linx for $30.39 or from Sprue Bros. for $27.99 and at 9 locations overseas on the web.
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 successful tank destroyers, such as the M10, Achilles and M36. Tens of thousands were distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. The tank was named by the British for the American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman.
The M4 Sherman evolved from the M3 Medium Tank, which 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 reticle on target, so that when the tank did stop to fire, the gun would be aimed in roughly the right direction.
The designers stressed mechanical reliability, ease of production and maintenance, durability, standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants, and moderate size and weight (its width and weight were designed to conform with the War Department restrictions at the time that aimed to ease shipping problems and ensure armored vehicles would be compatible with existing bridging equipment.
These factors, combined with the Sherman's then-superior armor and armament, outclassed German light and medium tanks fielded in 1939–42. The M4 went on to be produced in large numbers, being the most produced tank in American history.
The Soviets' T-34 medium tank (total of some 64,549 wartime-produced examples, split roughly 55%-45% between 76 mm and 85 mm gunned examples) was the only tank design produced in larger numbers during World War II. The Sherman spearheaded many offensives by the Western Allies after 1942.
When the M4 tank went into combat in North Africa with the British Army at 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 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.
Some Shermans were produced with a more capable gun, the 76 mm gun M1, or refitted with a 76.2mm calibre Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun by the British (the Sherman Firefly).
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.
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 UN 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, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Korean War, Cuban Revolution, Vietnam War, 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–9 ft 10 in (2.62–2.99 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 mm (0.5 in) minimum, Up to a maximum of 177.8 mm (7.0 in) depending upon variant.
Main armament: 75 mm gun M3 (90–104 rounds) or 76 mm gun M1A1, M1A1C, or M1A2 (71 rounds) or 105 mm howitzer M4 (66 rounds)
Secondary armament: .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine gun (300–600 rounds), 2×.30 caliber Browning M1919A4 machine guns (6,000–6,750 rounds)
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 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 U.S. gallons (522–662 litres) depending upon variant
Operational range: 100–150 miles (161–241 km) on road depending upon variant.
Maximum speed: 22–30 mph (35–48 km/h) on road, depending upon 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 successful tank destroyers, such as the M10, Achilles and M36. Tens of thousands were distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. The tank was named by the British for the American Civil War general William Tecumseh Sherman.
The M4 Sherman evolved from the M3 Medium Tank, which 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 reticle on target, so that when the tank did stop to fire, the gun would be aimed in roughly the right direction.
The designers stressed mechanical reliability, ease of production and maintenance, durability, standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants, and moderate size and weight (its width and weight were designed to conform with the War Department restrictions at the time that aimed to ease shipping problems and ensure armored vehicles would be compatible with existing bridging equipment.
These factors, combined with the Sherman's then-superior armor and armament, outclassed German light and medium tanks fielded in 1939–42. The M4 went on to be produced in large numbers, being the most produced tank in American history.
The Soviets' T-34 medium tank (total of some 64,549 wartime-produced examples, split roughly 55%-45% between 76 mm and 85 mm gunned examples) was the only tank design produced in larger numbers during World War II. The Sherman spearheaded many offensives by the Western Allies after 1942.
When the M4 tank went into combat in North Africa with the British Army at 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 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.
Some Shermans were produced with a more capable gun, the 76 mm gun M1, or refitted with a 76.2mm calibre Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun by the British (the Sherman Firefly).
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.
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 UN 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, 1948 Arab–Israeli War, Korean War, Cuban Revolution, Vietnam War, 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–9 ft 10 in (2.62–2.99 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 mm (0.5 in) minimum, Up to a maximum of 177.8 mm (7.0 in) depending upon variant.
Main armament: 75 mm gun M3 (90–104 rounds) or 76 mm gun M1A1, M1A1C, or M1A2 (71 rounds) or 105 mm howitzer M4 (66 rounds)
Secondary armament: .50 caliber Browning M2HB machine gun (300–600 rounds), 2×.30 caliber Browning M1919A4 machine guns (6,000–6,750 rounds)
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 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 U.S. gallons (522–662 litres) depending upon variant
Operational range: 100–150 miles (161–241 km) on road depending upon variant.
Maximum speed: 22–30 mph (35–48 km/h) on road, depending upon variant.
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 comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The tray of my kit is rather flimsy and badly crushed over the years in the stack of kits I had it in.
The box art shows a M4 on a sandy beach.
It is overall olive-drab with a white slogan on the wood planks bolted on its side that says “NiteMare II, L.A. Bound” over “VIA Kitano Point”.
It has 2 thick wooden beams bolted on its sides and 2 tall deep water engine air intakes on its rear engine deck.
One side panel gives the length of the model made up as being 16.8cm (a little over 6 1/2”). This is followed by one paragraph histories in 8 languages, including English. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
Italeri is an old prolific model company based in Italy.
They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in a shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. The tray of my kit is rather flimsy and badly crushed over the years in the stack of kits I had it in.
The box art shows a M4 on a sandy beach.
It is overall olive-drab with a white slogan on the wood planks bolted on its side that says “NiteMare II, L.A. Bound” over “VIA Kitano Point”.
It has 2 thick wooden beams bolted on its sides and 2 tall deep water engine air intakes on its rear engine deck.
One side panel gives the length of the model made up as being 16.8cm (a little over 6 1/2”). This is followed by one paragraph histories in 8 languages, including English. Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
The other side panel repeats the length of the finished model. Followed by the statement that the box contains one unassembled plastic model kit. Paint and cement are required to assemble the model as shown on the box. Multilingual instruction sheet and decals included. Suitable for children age 10 and older. Not suitable for children under 3 due to small and sharp parts. In multiple languages, including English.
Kit was made in Italy and Italeri address there and their web address are provided.
This is followed by 3 small color photos of the model made up in overall olive-drab with no markings shown.
Kit was made in Italy and Italeri address there and their web address are provided.
This is followed by 3 small color photos of the model made up in overall olive-drab with no markings shown.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 5 olive drab parts trees, black vinyl rubber band type treads and a sheet of black screen. Nothing is cello bagged.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 8 ½” x 13” page format.
Page 1 has one-paragraph histories of the M4 in 10 languages on it, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION: USEFUL ADVICE, over after market service coupons and international assembly symbol explanations in multiple languages, including English.
Page 3 and the top of page 4 have the parts trees illustrations.
The bottom of page 4 through to page 8 gives a grand total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 9 is a painting and marking guide, showing two 4-views of the M4 Sherman.
The 1st one is the box art scheme (already described above). As shown with the U.S. Marine Corps, Pacific Theatre 1945.
The 2nd one is overall olive-drab with a white no. 27 on its turret sides. It was in the same unit as the 1st scheme.
The bottom of page 9 is the decal application instructions in 9 languages, including English.
Page 10 has IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS KIT, in multiple languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Olive-drab letter A tree holds: the hull top, tools, front & rear hull walls, hatches, muffler, tow cable, air intake grill, etc. (99 parts) 39 parts are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
This kit contains 5 olive drab parts trees, black vinyl rubber band type treads and a sheet of black screen. Nothing is cello bagged.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet that accordion-folds out into 10 pages in 8 ½” x 13” page format.
Page 1 has one-paragraph histories of the M4 in 10 languages on it, including English.
Page 2 begins with ATTENTION: USEFUL ADVICE, over after market service coupons and international assembly symbol explanations in multiple languages, including English.
Page 3 and the top of page 4 have the parts trees illustrations.
The bottom of page 4 through to page 8 gives a grand total of 10 assembly steps.
Page 9 is a painting and marking guide, showing two 4-views of the M4 Sherman.
The 1st one is the box art scheme (already described above). As shown with the U.S. Marine Corps, Pacific Theatre 1945.
The 2nd one is overall olive-drab with a white no. 27 on its turret sides. It was in the same unit as the 1st scheme.
The bottom of page 9 is the decal application instructions in 9 languages, including English.
Page 10 has IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS KIT, in multiple languages, including English.
Trees are alphabetized.
Olive-drab letter A tree holds: the hull top, tools, front & rear hull walls, hatches, muffler, tow cable, air intake grill, etc. (99 parts) 39 parts are shaded out in the parts trees illustrations as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Olive-drab letter B tree holds: the hull tub, bogies, drive sprockets, idler wheels, road wheels etc. (78 parts) 13 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter C tree holds: turret parts, main gun barrel, mantle, alternate road wheels etc. (41 parts) 14 parts are excess.
Olive-drab letter D tree holds: the engine deck roof, turret top & hatch lid, machine gun, coiled tow cable, individual track links etc. (44 parts) 1 part is excess.
Olive-drab letter E tree holds: the wood sides, deep water air intake parts etc. (29 parts)
The black vinyl rubber-band type treads are next (2 lengths)
A small sheet of black screen is included in the kit. The screen is meant to be cut to size and used at the tops of the deep water air intakes.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents. There are no figures included in the kit.
I have added one of my company’s (Armor Research Co.) PE set no. 1001 of headlight, taillight, siren and periscope guards to the kit.
There is also a review that was sent to me by a modeling friend about this kit. He is a real bolt counter and he found numerous problems with this kit if it is built in the box art scheme. He sites photos of this tank in Concord’s #7004 book “Tank Battles of the Pacific War” on page 65 by Steve Zaloga that show differences. This all does not bother me all that much.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.