+64 06 3555515
Description
Pieces for both the Priest and Kangaroo options are included on the sprue. The model depicted is a 1944 production example, because it has the typical features: reinforced cast transmission cover, low mounted lights and brushguards, baskets on rear stowage boxes, heavy duty M4 style bogies and grille between air filters. For an intermediate production model it should retain the heavy duty M4 bogies and the side flaps for the ammo racks, but it should have the bolted tranmission cover instead, no grille in rear and high mounted lights. Earlier vehicles had M3 bogies and sometimes the early cast transmission cover, lacking the armoured side flaps (though some were upgraded with these devices in field). Very early vehicles had the MG “pulpit” narrower in height and the bolted “nose” from the M3, with a small cut for the front gun from this medium tank.
The running gear is almost the same as seen in their Sherman III Fast Build but the tracks are T51 plain rubber style. Though better that the strange track design seen in the Shermans, these are poor for a display model. The lower hull looks to be a copy of Dragon’s Shermans so I’m sure that Dragon running gears could nicely fit and thus greatly enhance the model. I think too that the spare bolted tranmission included in many M4A2 Dragon kits could fit with some work.
A pretty sparse floor is provided with a bulky and over simplified transmission, but being a separate piece I’m sure it could be improved. The worst part to me is the outer details. Not so much for the tools and side details, which are not so horrible (except maybe the tools), but for the spare track links boxes in the front, which are a bad joke! – plain and lifeless. The same could be said about the light and brush guards.
