The M4 Sherman was the most widely produced American tank of WWII, and it equipped several Allied armies. The diesel-engine M4A2 was never used in combat by the U.S. Army, but it was fielded by the USMC, the UK, France, Poland and the Soviet Union. A great many M4A2 Shermans were supplied as Lend Lease vehicles to the USSR during its time of desperate need as it fought for survival. In fact, with approximately 4250 M4A2 tanks sent to Russia, it was supplied in larger numbers than any other British or American tank. Around half of this figure had 75mm guns.

Naturally, it would be normal that some of these would be captured by the Germans and put to use. In fact, I think that nearly all the Axis countries used captured vehicles in battle to help make up for losses that could not easily be replaced.

This is another of Dragon's many Sherman variants in 1/72. All are quite well detailed and all will require a bit of care in construction as the tolerances are pretty close. Thanks to slide-mold technology, the parts are superbly molded and this version uses the dished road wheels instead of the usual spoked variety. There is some modification needed to the kit parts, including the need to remove a ring of rivets from around the main gun opening on the turret.

There is a small photo etch fret that is for headlight guards, some small braces on the inside of the front fenders and a pair of oval access panels on the rear of the upper body. Part of this kit is Dragon's flexible styrene T49 tracks. These have a different pattern from those one normally associates with a Sherman.

Instructions are well drawn and there are markings for a single tank as shown on the box art, from the14.Pz.Dv in Russia during 1944.  The small decal sheet is well printed and should provide no surprises.

Another of the myriad of interesting Sherman variants for those building a collection and thanks to the German camouflage, something that will definitely stand out.

My thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. Get yours today at your local shop or on-line store.

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