@danhat69 Hey Dan, what a great project and a lovely tribute to your grandfather. So off the top of my head, North African Sherman being deployed with the British in 1941. That would be some of the very first deliveries of early production M4A1 (Sherman I) and M4A2 (Sherman III), respectively. Both of these variants would have the direct vision ports for the drive/co drivers. Early bogies for the M4A1 and possibly for the M4A2, though I've seen A2s with the later return roller on the bogies issued, too. I'll double-check my references when I get home from work. As for kits, ASUKA has both of those types in their range. And i would highly recommend them. I'll get back to you with more information later this evening. Hope this helps as a starting point

@ thanks lance. Asuka m4a1 it is then. I was looking at dragon El Alamein Sherman kit but if I find an Asuka with correct markings I think I’ll go for that. Never done a dragon or asuka to be honest (I have a couple of Miniart kits and a Border models crusader so I’m really branching out. I’ve got lots of kits to hone my skills on b4 I attempt the tribute diorama to my grandfather. I’m very much a novice at the moment. It’ll prob be at least 18-24 months before I have completed all my ‘practice’ kits (I have over 35!!)

@TheModelGuy haha that is awesome mate! I'm gonna really look forwards to seeing your build mate!

Greeting from Ireland! Just subscribed to you! Keep up the great work on your channel!

@@longlance67 thanks you so much 👍👍👍

Thanks so much for subbing! I'm really looking forward to getting back into this project once I complete my workspace overhaul!

If only we had a Lord Flashart figure ;)

Unfortunately the Asuka/Tasca kits tend to only have limited English text if any. This like wire grab handles seems to be haul mark of their kits which I also find annoying too. Best thing to is to check out the Sherman in Minutia website for reference if the instructions lead you astray. Its a fantastic resource !

I'm half way done. it is what it is I guess. I like to really read instructions so I don't screw up. it will get done. thanks for your answer

For the traps I used Milliput epoxy putty

for highlights I just mixed in a small amount of vallejo german camo beige into the fieldgrey

Thanks for your help

thanks for clarification! I don't know why I got the 90's for his recovery in my head! Glad you enjoyed the video!

nice! I really should build mine at some point!

So the base kit was by Asuka Model. Their M4A2 75mm kit. As for the wading and other gear it is all supplied in the PanzerArt resin upgrade set

@@longlance67 Thanks a lot!

Glad it was helpful!

unfortunately this kit got lost in a move sadly

@@longlance67 that sucks mate, I’ll send you mine you can build & paint it, post it to you tube then send it back to me lol 😂

@cawimmer430 their thinner seems to be very finicky at the best of times. But the flow improver doesn't seem to break down the paint like their thinner. I also find that AKs Gen3 acrylic thinner works well too I've discovered

@@longlance67 nice info, thanks!

cheers mate! really glad I could be of help!

thanks mate! I hope it helped in your project!

Glad you enjoy it! insanity and the Sherman are best of friends lol

Thanks mate! I really enjoyed creating all the extra details for this build. Really made it something special!

Thanks mate! I hope it give you some ideas for your own build with your jeep!

@@Unyielding_Modeller thanks mate!

I'm so happy you said that! As this humble truck was so much fun to work on and I find it has a character all to itself!

Yes it seems that people like to overlook that simple fact. You cannot engage what you cannot see and you cannot hit a side you have no angle on. I understand why the British claim this event to the level they do. Especially when you consider the debacle of Villers Bocage and the oversights in not forming a defensive perimeter in hostile territory. It was an embarrassment paid in many life's that needed a win to make right. But the ground is the ground. I get many angry comments from those coming in to bat from the Yeomanry. And full credit to their crews that day, as they most of the heavy lifting in destroying the Tigers was indeed done by them. And no small achievement. But the Tiger in question I feel belongs to the Sherbrookes. As they seem forget that this was company level deployment with multiple troops(platoons) engaging and all containing Fireflys as Commonwealth Armored doctrine would have demanded. Though at the close ranges found at the end of the ambush on the Sherbrooke's side, the humble 75mm would too have been lethal. I find that sometimes peoples logic often likes to overlook this, and instead on focusing on supposed truths like the wall was too high to see Wittmann's Tiger even though the surviving Canadian crews talk about knocking firing loops, and run of bricks off the wall to clear their lanes of fire.

@@longlance67 Best summation of the discussion in 80 years! Excellent points, including some I’d never considered, the shame the Brits felt for Villers Bocage. Thank you for the long and thorough reply.

thanks mate! glad it was worth the wait!

@OzzysScaleModelerSecret hey Ozzy great to hear from you mate! Tis great to be back at it again. Have a great weekend too mate!

@scottmccloud9029 thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed it!

@@paintingpanzers thanks my friend! It is great to be back as I was missing my hobby time. Painting and weathering this M4 will be a fun challenge

@longlance67 I can't wait to see it painted mate. Good to have you back!

@longlance67 I can't wait to see it painted mate. Good to have you back!

@johncrimmins1540 cheers mate! The Firefly is pretty nice looking Sherman for sure! Are you building the VC ? If you run into issues or need information on the build let me know

Thanks a lot ! Yes , the VC. Did you have good luck with the tracks? Been awhile since I have done that type.

Thanks Bruce! It was a lot of fun to go down the detailing insanity rabbit hole on this build!

Imported specially from Iwo 😉

Thank you 👍

Close but not correct, the Marines did use M4A3s at both Okinawa and Iwo Jima, they generally took whatever they could get.

You are indeed on the money. First deployment of M4A3s for the USMC was Iwo Jima with two Marine Tank Battalions along with a battalion of M4A2 landing on the Island

Ah but there is a but to your but. So before Iwo Jima the USMC did indeed use M4A2s such as the Fisher built examples that landed on Tarawa. However their first deployment of M4A3(also Fisher built of memory serves) would be on Iwo Jima. With the Fourth and Fifth Marine Tank Battalions deploying the M4A3 and Third Marine Tank Battalion deploying M4A2 to the Island. Source is Squadron Publishing's book dedicated to the Marine Shermans on Iwo. Well worth a read if you can get your hands on it. hope this helps

@ljscalemodels526 thanks Liam! I'm looking forward to weathering this one!

They really do add so much character and life to the models! As well as having a much more imposing presence to the Sherman of the ETO!

@mexicanboy8 thanks mate! It should be a very striking Sherman if I can pull it off

Thanks mate! These USMC M4s truly punch much differently to their ETO cousins! Really looking forward to weathering this bad boy up!