September 2019 - Model Military International 23
EA
T
he M4A2 Sherman was the most
numerous production variant of the
Sherman Tank produced by the US
during WWII with 8,053 75mm armed
variants and 2,915 76mm armed variants being
produced. It was also the Sherman that served
with the most number of user nations. The UK,
Canada, France, Poland, New Zealand, USSR
and the US Marines used them in action.
The diesel powered M4A2 had many sub
variants. The so-called Cast Hood version now
follows on from Tasca’s excellent 1:35 scale
DV kits. This kit represents a mid-production
vehicle and has a hull configuration likely to
have been produced by either Pullman or
Federal Machine & Welder.
The M4A2 Shermans were, with the
exception of the USMC and US Army stateside
training, reserved for Lend Lease. The UK was a
major beneficiary, taking deliveries of thousands
of M4A2’s. The M4A2 was the backbone of
Commonwealth & Polish tank strength in the
Mediterranean until replaced by the late M4A1
76 mm variants in British and South African
armoured formations. It remained the principal
tank in New Zealand and Polish formations in
Italy until the war’s end. Two British and one
Canadian Brigade were equipped with the M4A2
for the invasion of Europe. Many also landed
with the French and served with the USSR.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX
The kit is based on Tasca’s earlier released
1:35 scale M4A2 DV and shares the majority of
parts from this kit and other Tasca Shermans,
although this one is moulded in olive coloured
styrene.
The major differences are the new hull part,
which has a late configuration mid-production
glacis with the cast hoods. These are superbly
moulded and Tasca has captured the complex
shape of the modified DV Hood castings
exceptionally well including the correct cast
numbers and foundry marks.
Other differences are the tracks, which
represent the T49 – three bar cleated steel
track - and the new pattern British turret
stowage box which was frequently seen on UK
and Commonwealth M4A2s.
Similar to the earlier releases, this kit offers
the clear parts in the form of periscopes and
lenses for the driving lights. It also includes the
excellent Tasca .50 cal M2 machine gun, which
has both the small and later larger ammo cans.
British smoke dischargers, antenna mounts and
even biscuit 7 oil tins are included although the
US style jerry cans are not.
Photo-etch is again offered for the light
guards (also supplied as an option in plastic)
along with the jig introduced in their first
Sherman kit the VC Firefly.
Historical background and in-box summary by Al Bowie
he M4A2 Sherman was the most
numerous production variant of the
Sherman Tank produced by the US
during WWII with 8,053 75mm armed
variants and 2,915 76mm armed variants being
produced. It was also the Sherman that served
All that you need to
produce a wading
Sherman III.
The chunky exhaust
stack mount is
supplied in resin.
Here we can see the
parts from both the
Dragon and Tasca
conversion sets.
Resicast offers the
option of using the
tall wading stacks
or leaving them off
(or stowing them on
board). Alternative
engine deck vents
are supplied to
permit this option.
Resicast provides
both narrow and
wide covered
mantlets.
Smaller resin parts
for the conversion.
The big photo-etched
fret includes the
wading stacks,
A frames and mesh.
