Academy's 1/35 US Medium Tank M4A3 Sherman (105mm) with M1 Dozer Blade By Kent Kirkpatrick

M4A3 Sherman (105mm) with M1 Dozer Blade

The venerable old Sherman medium tank, backbone of the Allies in World War II and the Korean War, came in many variants for different uses. One of these variants was armed with a 105mm howitzer for mobile artillery support and bunker busting. As an engineering vehicle some were fitted with a hydraulic bulldozer blade designated M1. These were used for clearing obstacles and grading ground for improved transportation.

The Kit

The boxart rendering is an 105mm U.S. M4A3 Sherman in action in Korea that will make for good painting and decal reference. There are some color photos of a finished model on the sides of the box. Inside the box is a twelve-page instruction manual. The instructions are very well illustrated and should be easy to follow with no difficulty. There are nineteen subassembly steps to complete this model. Kit instructions have a symbol legend for filing, gluing, cutting, etc. to assist you through assembly. If you have trouble finding a part there is a parts location diagram page.

There are multiple sealed bags containing part sprues and one containing the decals. The sprues are molded in a dark green styrene. Upon initial inspection I do not see any visible flash on any of the styrene parts. Injection pin markings are mostly hidden on the back side of large parts and there are none on the small parts. The one-piece steel chevron tracks are molded in a gun metal vinyl. They are somewhat stiff but very well detailed. Some pre-flexing of the tracks might make them easier to mount when the time comes.

Keep in mind some parts may be unused. Make note to review the 'Unused Parts' listing at the bottom of the parts location diagram.

Assembling the 105mm M4A3 Sherman begins with suspension assemblies, drive sprockets, and idlers wheels in step 1. The suspension assemblies are made up of 9 parts. You will also mount the idlers to the lower hull. Note that you are informed to remove two bolt heads per suspension attachment points. In step 3, you will mount and detail the rear of the lower hull with exhausts, towing pintle, and mount the rear idlers wheels to the lower hull. The suspension assemblies, drive sprockets and transmission housing are mated to the lower hull in steps 4 and 5.

The upper hull is detailed in steps 6 through 10. I might point out that this kit would allow a modeler to add a complete after-market engine compartment and interior as all hatches and covers are separate. No need to get photo-etch periscope guards as the separately molded ones are very nice. You have a choice of having an open or closed gun travel lock if you wish. The hatches are a subassembly in themselves as they are made up of 7 nicely details parts. Too bad they didn't mold the periscopes in clear styrene for added realism. Head and tail light guards are nicely molded as well. I would suggest using a round bit with a motor tool to grind out the molded headlights and replace with MV lenses for additional realism.

In steps 11 through 13 the 105mm howitzer main gun and turret are assembly. One thing I noticed is the lack of surface texture on the cast turret. It seems like other manufacturers are paying more attention to these details so I am surprised this was missed or ignored. Step 14 will assemble the .50 caliber machine gun and pintle mount. The 7 piece weapon is very well detailed and should look great when dry brushed. The 29 piece M1 Dozer blade is assembled in step 15. It looks pretty straight forward and is nicely detailed down to the bolt heads. Don't forget to show some nice shiny worn steel on the lower blade. A silver pencil would do the trick.

In step 16 you will mate the turret and upper hull to the lower hull. You will also connect the one piece tracks end to end and mount them to the suspension system. I should mention the dozer blade mounting brackets are also attached to the front suspension assemblies. Finally, steps 17 through 19 finish up assembly with the mounting of the M1 dozer blade. Overall, assembly does not appear to be difficult in any assembly of this kit. The only area lacking is the texture of the casted turret and transmission housing. This can be remedied with a motor tool and a round bit with some steel wool for clean up.

When you are ready for painting and decal placement you will have the choice between two US 105mm M4A3 Shermans, both from the Korean War, but with no unit identification. With many kits from the US Army, you only have one color choice and that is olive drab. The decals represent vehicle IDs and stars in white. The quality is very nice. Dry brushing on this model would really enhance its appearance.

Conclusion

Although there has been many Sherman kits released in 1/35 this one would be a unique variant to add to one's collection of Shermans. Academy has been very consistent with the high quality of their new releases and this 105 mm M4A3 Sherman with dozer blade is no exception. I highly recommend this kit to any modeler of US armor. I would like to thank MRC for the review kit.