M4A3E8 "Thunderbolt VII"Reviewed by Cookie Sewell
|
Stock Number and Description | Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale ‘39-‘45 Series Kit Number 6183; M4A3E8 "Thunderbolt VII" |
Scale: | 1/35 |
Media and Contents: | 633 parts (431 in grey styrene, 160 "Magic Link" T66 tracks, 18 clear styrene, 12 steel springs, 11 etched brass, 6 brass tubes, 1 turned aluminum barrel) |
Price: | USD$34.99 may be ordered online from Mission Models |
Review Type: | First Look |
Advantages: | DML "works off the gig sheet" on past kits with CORRECT weld beads and "slide molded" turret shapes; back detail on all wheels; very detailed parts breakdown to HVSS bogies; correct period T66 tracks |
Disadvantages: | May not be enough etched brass for some modelers (see text) |
Recommendation: | Highly Recommended for all US Armor fans and "Shermaholics" |
FirstLook
There is a document used by the United States Army which goes by its
printing reference number as Form DA 2404. It is used to list the
daily check faults on vehicles and as such is usually called either
a 2404 or "gig sheet." Essentially the majority of kit reviews or
build reviews many modelers write or see is pretty much along the
same lines, albeit some are more finicky than others as to what they
write up as "gigs".
For years fans of the Sherman tank – more properly the US Army M4
Medium Tank series – have been doing this to one kit or another for
many reasons. And nearly every major and several minor manufacturer
has done a 1/35 scale Sherman – Revell, Monogram, Tamiya, Italeri,
Nichimo, MP Models, Dragon Models Limited, and Academy with Sherman
based kits either coming out or available from AFV Club and
Trumpeter as well. All have been written up for their flaws,
mistakes or simple "gigs" and as a result have keep "experten" on
the Shermans (and a few real knowledgeable people like Steve Zaloga
and Joe Demarco) busy sorting them out for more than 25 years.
The major problems that are usually noted with the kits are these:
- The turret shapes are wrong, or wrong for the version being
modeled;
- The weld beads are wrong, as they show up as "trenches" rather
than weld bead which stands proud of the surface;
-The wheels come with no backing detail and are too thin;
- The tracks are not correct, either wrong width, wrong design,
wrong patter, or too flimsy;
- And, the details for a specific variant are not correct –
exhausts, vents, fenders, grilles, or hatches are not put in the
right place (the culprit usually being research of an incorrectly
restored vehicle.)
DML has taken much of the criticism of their kits to heart, and even
though they have produced the arguably best Sherman kits to date,
they have constantly been "gigged" for some or all of the above
errors. Now they have come back with a vengeance with this first in
a new series of M4 series tank kits, and most of the "gigs" have
been "worked off" or eliminated.
The subject of the new kit is the last WWII M4 tank used by Colonel
Creighton Abrams after he took off Combat Command B of the 4th
Armored Division. It represents an early production M4A3 with the
horizontal volute spring suspension, better known as either HVSS or
"Easy 8" after its test designation, single-pin T66 cast tracks, a
76mm gun with muzzle brake in the later version of the T23-derived
cast turret, and ordnance designed and fitted applique armor panels.
While not labeled as a "Smart Kit" like the new Panther Ausf. G, the
new M4A3E8 kit uses a minimum of multimedia parts – it comes with a
sparse brass sheet of only 11 items for use as the fenders for the
wider HVSS suspension and track, a turned aluminum barrel, and 12
springs and six brass tubes that may be fitted to the suspension to
permit it to "operate." While I personally am not a fan of
"frou-frou" features like this, at least it is a better and more
scalelike way to approach it than the toy-like vinyl or rubber
fittings used in some other kits from other manufacturers.
The name of the game with this kit is "slide molding" which permits
DML to get more onto the model in the right places and with less
distortion. The lower hull pan now sports a lot more detail than
past kits, including the assembly notching used on the real vehicle
and other niceties. The upper hull FINALLY sports something no other
kit has done up until now – RAISED weld bead instead of trenches
where the welded hull assembles. This by itself will win the
affection of many "Shermaholics" who tired of having to constantly
fill and reshape the weld beads.
The turret is an evolution of the recent moldings from DML , and is
again "slide molded" with texture, built-in pistol port mount, and
the subtle angles of the original cast turret captured far better
than past efforts by all companies.
The bogies are very complex, but are detailed on all sides and look
quite impressive. Each one consists of two seven-piece subassemblies
(the tires are separate) and a 12-piece center assembly using the
springs and brass tube to provide for spring operation of the bogie
if carefully assembled. There is no "non-working" option so care
will have to be taken to get the parts aligned correctly.
This is the "early model" and comes with the original "three-vane"
exhaust deflector at th rear of the hull as well as the T66
single-link tracks. While DML had a great set of T66 tracks that
they came out with ten years ago, the new ones are "Magic Track" and
snap together. Each one has four tiny ejection pin marks on it,
partially to permit the correct molding of the center guide horn as
hollow; but they stand "proud" and will be easily trimmed off. (The
real ones were short-lived as they proved fragile; if you want to go
with the late war T80 tracks, the AFV Club ones would be your best
bet as they are less fussy than the old DML ones that need their
connectors drilled out and center guides glued in place.) Suffice to
say that they did not opt out for what appears to have been the
wrong T80 tracks as they did with their DX05 "Allen F. Irzyk" M4A3E8
kit last year (to which this kit is only related by generic type and
not moldings.)
The kit is the first one that captures subtle details (usually not
seen) such as the APU exhaust (part B35) under the left sponson. (I
don't highlight that as all DML Shermans have always had sponson
floors, unlike some other kits.) The idlers are also detailed on
both sides and nicely done. Also, DML has engineered the proper
fittings for the tow shackles at the front of the hull with the
double brackets.
Most of the rest of the details are new and nicely done – even the
tools are more substantial than in past kits. All gun barrels are
hollow-bored and all "glass" is provided with a clear plastic viewer
or lens.
The one major grouse some will have with this kit – as with the
"Smart Kit" Panther – is that it is engineered to only use a small
amount of etched brass. In this kit that translates to only two
items – a complete set of fenders (albeit with styrene braces) and a
bracket for the additional .30 caliber Browning used by Abrams.
(Note that the direct6ions do not really cover the specific fit for
"Thunderbolt VII" as opposed to other late war M4A3E8 tanks, but do
show it in the finishing instructions.) All of the "normal" etched
parts – brackets, viewer guards, headlight and taillight guards,
etc. – are all very thin and petite styrene moldings. (I feel there
will be a cyber-hobby.com "Upgrade" set coming...) However, there
are more than enough etched sets available to please the most
demanding soul, and for those who do not like etched metal this kit
will more than meet the need.
Four finishing options are provided: "Thunderbolt VII" with all of
its upgrades and fittings, 4th AD Germany 1945; another 4th AD tank,
Germany 1945; 35th Tank Battalion, 4th AD, Bastogne 1945; and 41st
Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division, Germany 1945. All are basic
OD with the minimal amount of codes and lettering, which is a bit
odd as at this stage of the war many of the vehicles began to sprout
full sets of lettering, coding, numbers and stars. One would have
though DML would have selected one of them, but they chose to go
with "minimalist" subjects.
Overall this is another great effort from DML, and while some will
no doubt complain about the lack of etched brass, the fact of having
a great and solid base kit is of more interest to the average
modeler and will be more appreciated in the long run.
Highly Recommended
A 96 M4A2/A3 Late upper hull with
A2 engine deck
B 37 Late T23 style turret
C 18 clear styrene
D 8 Applique armor panels
G 24 M4A3 engine deck and VVSS details
H 24 Early T23 style turret
J 24 Road wheel tires
K 4 Idler tires
Q 35x2 Drive wheels
Q 48x3 HVSS road wheels and bogies
X 1 Lower hull pan
Y 160 Magic Track - T66 links
MA 11 etched brass fenders
MB 12 steel springs
MB 6 brass tubes
MB 1 turned aluminum barrel
Thanks to
Freddie Leung for the review sample.