In Box Review of Academy 1/35th Scale
U.S. Army M4A3E8 “Easy Eight”
Kit no, 13221
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2009
Out of production,
This kit was given to me when I was once on the staff of Cybermodeler.
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: 2009
Out of production,
This kit was given to me when I was once on the staff of Cybermodeler.
HISTORY:
The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, the 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, 17pdr SP Achilles and M36B1.
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 – 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 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, coming in at 49,324 produced. 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 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 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 armor-piercing gun, the 76 mm gun M1, refitted with a 76.2mm calibre Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun by the British (the Sherman Firefly), or given a 105mm 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.
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.
Nicknamed the "Easy Eight," officially known as M4A3(76)W HVSS - Introduced in 1944, this was upgraded with widetrack HVSS, fitted with the 76mm M1A2 cannon, improved armor and firepower and wet stowed ammunition. The tank was still in service well after 1945, seeing service in the Korean War, Vietnam War and under many other flags.
The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, the 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, 17pdr SP Achilles and M36B1.
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 – 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 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, coming in at 49,324 produced. 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 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 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 armor-piercing gun, the 76 mm gun M1, refitted with a 76.2mm calibre Ordnance QF 17-pounder gun by the British (the Sherman Firefly), or given a 105mm 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.
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.
Nicknamed the "Easy Eight," officially known as M4A3(76)W HVSS - Introduced in 1944, this was upgraded with widetrack HVSS, fitted with the 76mm M1A2 cannon, improved armor and firepower and wet stowed ammunition. The tank was still in service well after 1945, seeing service in the Korean War, Vietnam War and under many other flags.
THE KIT:
Academy is an old prolific model company based in Korea. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color photo of the model made up. It is parked on a grassy field at night, It is overall olive-drab with a white star on it’s nose, hull and turret sides and at the rear end of the sides of the hull there is a white stenciled serial no. 3070592.
Four U.S. infantrymen are around the tank. Three men are in front of it. One man has fallen and another man is helping him get up. The 3rd man is looking on. The 4th man is standing beside the tank and pointing with his left arm.
All four men wear khaki uniforms, steel helmets and have their trousers bloused into high tan stockings. All are armed with rifles and have full field gear on their belts.
Under the title of the kit on the box art it says: Production of the M4A3E8 was active in WWII and Korean War Masterbox infantry included. Highly accurate PE parts included.
One side corner of the box art has a black and white label that says: Special Edition with limited- availability, MB Masterbox’s infantry included. Another corner says: Paint not included. The kit includes one tank model. The pictures of the actual product may vary from the pictures shown on the box.
One side panel of the box begins with 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme. Followed by features of the kit in 10 languages, including English: Contains one unassembled model kit and easy to follow pictorial instructions. Paint and cement required to complete the model pictured on the box. Kit suitable for age 14 to adult. Scale 1/35th.
Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
Academy is an old prolific model company based in Korea. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit comes in shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box.
The box art shows a color photo of the model made up. It is parked on a grassy field at night, It is overall olive-drab with a white star on it’s nose, hull and turret sides and at the rear end of the sides of the hull there is a white stenciled serial no. 3070592.
Four U.S. infantrymen are around the tank. Three men are in front of it. One man has fallen and another man is helping him get up. The 3rd man is looking on. The 4th man is standing beside the tank and pointing with his left arm.
All four men wear khaki uniforms, steel helmets and have their trousers bloused into high tan stockings. All are armed with rifles and have full field gear on their belts.
Under the title of the kit on the box art it says: Production of the M4A3E8 was active in WWII and Korean War Masterbox infantry included. Highly accurate PE parts included.
One side corner of the box art has a black and white label that says: Special Edition with limited- availability, MB Masterbox’s infantry included. Another corner says: Paint not included. The kit includes one tank model. The pictures of the actual product may vary from the pictures shown on the box.
One side panel of the box begins with 3 color walk-around type photos of the model made up in the box art scheme. Followed by features of the kit in 10 languages, including English: Contains one unassembled model kit and easy to follow pictorial instructions. Paint and cement required to complete the model pictured on the box. Kit suitable for age 14 to adult. Scale 1/35th.
Each language is labeled with a color illustration of the flag of the country that speaks the language.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
The kit contains 9 medium-grey trees, a medium-grey hull tub part, an olive-drab tree, decal sheet and black vinyl treads. Nothing is in cello bags.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾”.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over a second smaller repeat of it, a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos, Mr. Color, Life Color Humbrol and Model Master brands of hobby paints, READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions and international assembly symbol explanations in 6 languages including English.
Page 2 to page 10 gives a grand total Of 18 assembly steps. Step 18 is assembly and painting instructions for the 4 figures.
Page 11 shows three 2-views of the Easy 8.
All are overall olive-drab.
The first one is the box art subject (already described above).
It is how it looked with the U.S. Army in 1944.
The second one has a stenciled white star in a circle on its nose, sides and top of the engine deck. Also as it looked with the U.S. Army in 1844.
The third one has a SHARK MOUTH on its nose and white stars on the sides of its turret and hull.
Page 12 is the parts-trees illustrations. Some parts are listed as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the hull top, fenders, main gun barrel road travel lock, air intakes, headlight guards, hatches etc. (86 parts) 3 parts are excess
The kit contains 9 medium-grey trees, a medium-grey hull tub part, an olive-drab tree, decal sheet and black vinyl treads. Nothing is in cello bags.
The instructions consists of a staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾”.
Page 1 begins with a black and white repeat of the box art, over a second smaller repeat of it, a suggested paint color listing of GSI Creos, Mr. Color, Life Color Humbrol and Model Master brands of hobby paints, READ THIS BEFORE YOU BEGIN instructions and international assembly symbol explanations in 6 languages including English.
Page 2 to page 10 gives a grand total Of 18 assembly steps. Step 18 is assembly and painting instructions for the 4 figures.
Page 11 shows three 2-views of the Easy 8.
All are overall olive-drab.
The first one is the box art subject (already described above).
It is how it looked with the U.S. Army in 1944.
The second one has a stenciled white star in a circle on its nose, sides and top of the engine deck. Also as it looked with the U.S. Army in 1844.
The third one has a SHARK MOUTH on its nose and white stars on the sides of its turret and hull.
Page 12 is the parts-trees illustrations. Some parts are listed as being excess and not needed to complete the model.
Trees are alphabetized.
Medium-grey letter A tree holds: the hull top, fenders, main gun barrel road travel lock, air intakes, headlight guards, hatches etc. (86 parts) 3 parts are excess
Medium-grey letter B tree holds: the mantle, jerry cans, spare track links, 2 machine guns, battery, shovel, engine crank tool, antennas etc. (89 parts0 22 parts excess.
There are no letter C or D trees.
There are no letter C or D trees.
There are 2 identical medium-grey letter E trees. The first one holds: road wheels, drive wheels, return rollers, bogies etc. (59 parts)
The second one holds: the turret Commander's cupola and Loader's hatch etc. (33 parts) The cupola part is excess.
The second one holds: the turret Commander's cupola and Loader's hatch etc. (33 parts) The cupola part is excess.
Medium-grey letter F tree holds: the hull nose, final transfer covers, drive sprocket, another turret cupola and hatch etc. (97 parts) 44 parts are excess.
Lettering jumps to the medium-grey letter I tree. It holds: turret parts, main gun barrel etc. (42 parts) 2 parts are excess.
Lettering jumps again to the co-joined medium-grey letter Y and Z trees.
The letter Y tree holds: ammo boxes, 2 machine guns etc. (25 parts) 1 part is excess.
The letter Z tree holds: another machine gun, ammo box, jerry cans etc. (15 parts) 7 parts are excess.
The letter Y tree holds: ammo boxes, 2 machine guns etc. (25 parts) 1 part is excess.
The letter Z tree holds: another machine gun, ammo box, jerry cans etc. (15 parts) 7 parts are excess.
The hull tub part completes the medium-grey parts. It is not alphabetized.
The olive-drab parts tree is NOT alphabetized. It holds: the 4 figures (divided into separate heads, torsos, arms and legs), 3 rifles, 3 shovels, one Thompson submachine gun, 4 steel helmets, a pistol holster, 3 canvas sacks, 5 canteens, ammo pouches etc. (54 parts)
The small photo etch sheet holds the light guard frames, rear light guard frames, etc. (13 parts)
The large photo etch sheet contains the front and side track guards light guards, etc. (33 parts)
The 2 runs of black vinyl treads and the decal sheet complete the kits' contents.
There are no clear parts included in the kit.
Detail is great in the interior and exterior.
Highly Recommended.
Detail is great in the interior and exterior.
Highly Recommended.