1/35 USMC Iwo Jima M4A3 Sherman / Asuka Model and PanzerArt resin

Sorry for my inactivity of late. Life has been a bit busy of late. But thankfully all has settled down and its back to the Sherman madness!.
In this post build breakdown I will take you through how I went about creating this USMC M4A3 as it would have appeared on the island of Iwo Jima in 1945

[@HamilkarBarkasScaleModelling]

Agreed, that is one cool looking Sherman! All those adaptions for close combat with Japanese infantry make it unique and stand out. I painted the same Marine tanker figure a while ago and was amazed by the detail of that resin figure, very impressive indeed what the level of quality is like these days. Great work so far, i am looking forward seeing this receiving some paint and badass weathering!!

[@longlance67]

Thanks Michi! It's one of the things that drew me to the Marine Corps Shermans, their unique and novel adaptions to meet the war they found themselves engaged. I have to say I love the PanzerArt figures they are crammed full of detail without being too busy!

[@ljscalemodels526]

Hey Shane stunning, look forward to seeing the painting and weathering, cheers Liam

[@brucethemodelnoob]

Shane you’re a maniac! What a beautifully-detailed build of a great subject. Most modellers wouldn’t attempt a build like this, and most who did wouldn’t be able to pull it off as convincingly as you have. Can’t wait to see it in paint.

[@longlance67]

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

[@goforitpainting]

Have a great paint job.

[@themajesticmagnificent386]

Beautiful build mate..That looks one mean marine machine..Can’t wait to see the painting.👍

[@longlance67]

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

[@gamedude412]

Red fox And Archer transfer still make the Decal. Archer was reopened a few months ago. New owner

[@stevie65able]

Looking really good Shane. Those additional details certainly bring the model to life. The Pacific theatre Shermans sure are distinctive.

[@longlance67]

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!

[@paintingpanzers]

Awesome! Superb intro buddy and welcome back. I look forward to seeing what you do with this beauty.

[@longlance67]

@@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

[@CRAIGCHRIST83]

Absolutely fantastic build, Shane!

[@mexicanboy8]

Nice. Lots of extra details. Should look good once painted and all the stowage get their colors. Take your time. Looks like you have one hell of a paint session coming up!

[@longlance67]

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

[@scottmccloud9029]

Awesome work young man.

[@longlance67]

@scottmccloud9029 thank you good sir!

[@detlevwalter7495]

Well done 👍

[@longlance67]

Thank you 👍

[@gary33558]

Hi shane, your sherman looks fantastic. I do like the iwo jima shermans, and you have done a cracking job. How about doing a tarawa sherman buddy. also, it's fantastic your back, mate. Cheers, Gary UK 🇬🇧

[@paulus1412]

He even got a mosquito from the pacific :P 9:34

[@longlance67]

Imported specially from Iwo 😉

[@robertgraham1511]

Is Archer transfer using the same email address?

[@rickmoreno6858]

Nice work shame, but, yes their is a but, the USMC didn't use m4a3, as they were gasoline engine tanks, the usmc only used the diesel version of the sherman m4a2. I believe they may have used the Chrysler version but I'm not 100% sure on that

[@albundy8139]

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

[@longlance67]

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

[@longlance67]

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