M4A2 Medium Tank Sherman III, Markings of the
Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Tanks in Syria (1943)
|
Stock Number and Description | Echelon Fine Details ALT352002, M4A2 Medium Tank Sherman III, Markings of the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry Tanks in Syria (1943) |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | Water slide decals |
Price: | USD$14.00 includes shipping |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | Beautifully printed; large selection of interesting markings; excellent instructions |
Disadvantages: | |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended |
FirstLook
When it comes to modeling Sherman tanks, anything that makes it
easier to depict a colorfully-marked M4 is always welcome. Indeed,
the M4A2 (known to the British as the Sherman III) probably carried
the most colorful markings of any of the breed. Users of the earlier
M4A2s included Poland, France, the US Marine Corps, and in the case
of the subjects of this decal sheet, the United Kingdom.
The
eight subject tanks are all based on those seen in use by the Royal
Wiltshire Yeomanry during training in Syria. All, except one, of the
specific markings sets provided are for M4A2s; the odd-man out is a
single M4A1 (Sherman II). It is painted in Desert Pink with Dark
Green patches, while all of the A2s are painted in Light Mud with
Blue-Black disruptive patterns. Each subject is depicted in two
views, while the drawings and a chart will serve to provide
information on specific vehicle features such as hull, suspension,
track and road-wheel type (among other details).
Specific markings are provided for:
There are also, as usual from this
manufacturer, plenty of extra items that can be used to create
models of other tanks from this unit. A detailed chart is provided,
which will be very helpful to modelers who wish to venture further a
field. Aside from the tank’s names, other items such as divisional
insignia, squadron signs, AoS flashes, census numbers, antenna
pennants and aerial recognition roundels are provided.
The decals are printed by Microscale in the USA and are typical of
the high quality one expects from them. All details are crisply
rendered, color saturation is excellent and registration is
“spot-on”. These decals are very thin, so care must be exercised in
their use. As a user of water-slide decals exclusively, I heartily
recommend that the modeler use the Microscale system, which
instructs him to gloss-coat the surface and use Micro-Sol and
Micro-Set solutions for best results. Seal these with a dull coat
and they will look great for years. The instructions are in full
color and are, in my opinion, among the best of their kind in the
industry. Each Sherman is pictured in two views in a size large
enough to be easily used. Where the designer’s are un-sure of a
specific detail, they say so, or they provide an alternative. This
is quite commendable. References are given as are color notes and
notes on detail differences between the sheet’s subjects.
For those who work on other scales,
these markings are available in 1/72nd, 1/48th and 1/16th-scales, so
don’t feel “left out”.
As usual from this manufacturer, we have yet another highly useful,
well-researched and beautifully-produced product.
Highly Recommended
Echelon Fine Details are available from retail and mail-order shops,
or direct through their website at:
http://pachome1.pacific.net.sg/kriegsketten/ , e-mail:
kreigsketten@pacific.net.sg
Text and Images by Frank V. De
Sisto
Page Created 28 January, 2006
Page Last Updated
27 January, 2006