Cyber Hobby 1/35 BEUTEPANZER M4A2 75

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.

The Cyberhobby/Dragon 1/35 Sherman's have gotten good feedback about fidelity to scale and the pleasure they are to build. This is especially true of the more recent moldings. Just a week ago, you read Blair Stewart's build article on the Normandy boxing of their M4 version and he was very pleased with the kit. You see, unlike many of Dragon's tanks, this one is not a mass of small parts. In fact, the instruction sheet is almost a pamphlet compared to something like their Tiger. Much of this is due to the simplicity of the Sherman itself, and the rest can be put down to the excellent DS single piece tracks that Cyberhobby/Dragon uses.

Dragon provides just enough in terms of photo etch to make it useful, but not overbearing, something many of us like. As for the features of the kit, here is what Dragon lists:

• Highly detailed M4A2 upper hull w/weld seams
• Photo-etched front fenders
• Sprockets molded in detail
• Low-bustle turret produced w/cast texture
• Appliqué armor plates on upper-hull sides
• Foldable rack on rear plate of hull
• One-piece lower hull w/bolt detail
• Bolted connecting plate for gun-shield attachment rendered in fine detail
• Cupola molded in detail
• Commander's hatch w/periscope assembly
• Accurately detailed engine-deck panel and grills
• Racks w/spare track links
• Realistically reproduced VVSS suspension
• Detailed loader's hatch can be assembled open/closed
• Cover of periscopes can be positioned open/closed
• Hull side plates accurately reproduced w/horizontal upper edge
• Finely rendered headlight and horn guards
• OVM delicately recreated
• Newly tooled dished road wheels and idlers
• New one-piece T49 tracks made of DS

As mentioned, the instructions are not as large as the norm and from what Blair stated in his article on another boxing, there was no problem with mis-numbered parts. All the color info is Gunze and Model Master. The lone markings option is pretty much basic insignia with a fetching three color camouflage scheme.

As this is a limited release kit, if you want one you'll have to grab it quick as Shermans are quite popular. It is stated by pundits that the armor tables at model contests are full of "Shermans and Germans". Well now you can have both in one kit!

http://en.wikipedia.org

April 2009

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

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