M4 Sherman Crocodile
Conversion

Reviewed by Brett Green

Summary

Hauler's 1/48 scale Conversions & Accessories are available online from Mission Models
 

FirstLook

Hauler is at the forefront of the 1/48 scale military modelling boom with a large selection of useful photo-etched detail sets released every month.

Increasingly, Hauler is also entering the multi-media conversion market.

Their most recent and, I believe, their most ambitious conversion to date is a 1/48 scale set for the M4 Sherman Crocodile flamethrower tank and trailer.

This set comprises 22 parts in grey resin and a small photo-etched fret packed into a sturdy but compact box.

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

The resin parts are cast flawlessly. Detail is very crisply rendered. The large solid trailer casting is the big attention-grabber, but I was especially impressed with the exceptionally sharp detail on the tyres and wheel hubs.

In addition to the trailer, the resin parts include tow shackles, fittings for the tank hull and the flame head.

These resin parts are supplemented with a photo-etched set, which supplies small details such as clamps, feet for the hard stands, handles and butterfly nuts.

Most of the parts are cast onto blocks via thin attachment strips and should be fast and easy to remove prior to assembly. The only exception is the trailer body, which has a large block on most of its undersurface. Some careful work with a razor saw or a few minutes with a grinder attachment in a Motor Tool (make sure you wear a face mask though - it will kick up a lot of resin dust) will be required for this.

Instructions are supplied on a small double-sided sheet with seven separate illustrations plus a parts list. The instructions are quite adequate to the task.

Hauler's M4 Crocodile conversion will certainly create a unique 1/48 scale Sherman from either Tamya's or Hobby Boss's M4 kits.

Highly Recommended