There is a standing joke amongst those of us who go to contests that the armor section is full of 'Shermans and Germans'. Well that isn't really that far from the truth as the Sherman tank has to be the most modeled US tank of all time. Many shows have categories for nothing but the Sherman and its popularity continues unabated. I doubt if there are many who even dabble in armor who haven't built at least one of these tanks.

This book by eminent armor author Steven J. Zaloga is on the US 76mm M4 as it was used during WW2.

The book opens with a 'quick and dirty' description of the M4 Sherman (76mm) and the differences between the various sub-variants, mostly determined by when and where the tank was built. This section then goes into the various kits that have been produced (all 1/35) and the plusses and minuses of each of them.

Then we get to the build articles. There are four of them, three in 1/35 and one in 1/48.

First is an M4A1 as used in Operation Cobra based on the Dragon kit and listed as Intermediate

Next an M4A3E8 'sandbagged' Sherman, also based on the Dragon kit but listed as Advanced

The last 1/35 build is an M4A2E3 based on the Tamiya kit and also listed as Advanced.

The 1/48 build is a 'two-fer' that includes a Firefly and is based on the Hobby Boss kit. It is also listed as advanced.

All of the articles are superbly done with nice color photos showing how the builder went from base kit and a pile of aftermarket to the end product. It is full of informative hints and tips and how-to pieces that can be used by modelers of just about any genre in addition to armor builders. These builds are more than just the construction of the tank in that they are also part of dioramas so the building of this additional material as well as subsections on making sand bags or casting new turrets or painting figures is also included in the articles.  In the back of the book are pages on museums, references and available kits/accessories. There is also a page of color rectangles which you may find useful for your projects.

Overall, it is another fine addition to the Osprey Modelling series and is something that modelers of all interest levels will find useful.

November 2007

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