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1/35th M4A3E10 Sherman (1949)


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With the projected delivery and costs of the M46 Patton posing a potential problem, the M4A3E10 Medium Tank was a one-off post-war testbed to economically extend the lifespan of late-model Sherman tanks for US Army National Guard units, by fitting them with the 76mm M32 main gun and Continental’s Type AOS-895-3 powerplant of the T37 (later, M41 Walker Bulldog) Light Tank.

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This is another two decade old reclamation project during our time of quarantine, an MP Models M50 "Super Sherman / Isherman" (see https://www.scalemates.com/kits/mp-models-10101-m-50-sherman--186346  and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Sherman ) that I just didn't feel like building up as-issued.

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I wanted a re-Americanized look, with an end-state like this -
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... but with relevant additions, like a searchlight and extended range fuel drums (as found later on the M48 and M103).
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Further detail reference and style inspiration came from this site 
http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/manufacturer/m4a376w/m4a3_76w.html

1) The easy parts - bore evacuator cut from a LINDBERG T-55 main gun, searchlight cobbled up from the same source. Fuel drums from a DML T-80. Fuel drum rack from spare parts box.

Note that the simpler answer for a searchlight is A194 US Army M46 Patton Searchlight £8.50 https://accurate-armour.com/aa-products/135th-accessories/a194

2) The hard parts - parts loss over time. Can't locate the Sherman-specific headlights and the MP MODELS tracks are individual links. I'd rather use the plastic band-type from the M48 series (like this https://www.amazon.com/Bronco-Models-T97E2-Workable-Building/dp/B00DM6IWQ8 ) and while I have a pair of donor drive sprockets, only one track.  ???

Tracks like these - note also the amount of green canvas and dust-collecting on the real things.
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Thus illustrates the frustrations that place projects back on the Shelf of Procrastination.

Anyone have any of the kit-issued rubber-band style M48 tracks in their spares stash?  Or Sherman headlights?

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Proud Kraut

I love Sherman variants! I´m aware of the Isherman but this E10 type is new to me. I´m looking forward to follow this very well researched modeling project!

Lars

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3 hours ago, Proud Kraut said:

I love Sherman variants! I´m aware of the Isherman but this E10 type is new to me. I´m looking forward to follow this very well researched modeling project!

Lars

Totally a "What If", Lars. ?  

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Currently stuck, need rubber band style tracks as the individual links don't cut it for me.

 

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