Ordnance Factory

M4A2 75mm (Dry) Early (DV)

Conversion set for Tamiya M4
Preview by Terry Ashley

---

This is a quick preview of the resin M4A2 Early DV hull conversion designed to use in conjunction with the Tamiya M4 (Kit #35190) and I should point out this sample kit is a pre-production set received without any boxart, decals (if there is going to be any?) or instructions so the final kit may have some refinements and slight tweaks to the parts shown here, so please keep this in mind as you view the images.

The parts are cast in a light cream resin and are cast quite cleanly overall apart from some areas where there is a bit of excess resin ‘flash’ to be removed and around the hull lower edges which are a little ‘furry’ but this can be easily dealt with by a few passes with wet and dry. The insides of the hatch openings were also a problem but this may well be rectified on the final product and of course there is the usual casting blocks to be removed which we are quite used to with resin parts although there was no casting blocks on the hull as the pouring points were on the inside and this reduces the cleanup needed on this part but may contribute to the ‘furry’ lower edges?

While there was a bit of excess resin to clean up the thing I did notice about the parts was the flawless finish with no evidence of any airholes and the nice crisp detail included.
There was also no warpage or distortion on any parts especially the large hull casting which is perfectly square from all angles and makes using the set much easier.

The detail on the parts is excellent with the large hull having the correct rear plate angle as well as the many smaller details such as raised weld seams around the hull top and glacis to the drain holes in the various splash guards and the front and back lifting rings moulded in place with only a fine resin film to remove from the insides.
There are separate fuel filler caps and rear engine deck doors with these featuring louver grill details on both sides so they look the part if shown open and there is also separate alternate bolted flanges fitted centrally behind the turret ring with the early and later bolt pattern for a nice touch.

At the front the DV port covers are separate parts for good detail definition and allows them to be positioned open of closed as you wish and the two separate crew hatches are nicely done with additional separate periscopes and represent the early style hatch without the spring supports which is correct for this early vehicle.

Also included in the set is a new rear lower hull plate with the correct exhaust arrangement for the M4A2 which replaces the Tamiya kit part and to which you fit the kit idler mountings and other fittings.

For the turret there is the early style cast gun shield and thin rotor shield to which you fit the Tamiya kit gun or any metal barrel you wish. The gun shield fit was spot on to the Tamiya turret without the need for any trimming and the details include subtle cast texture, lifting eyes included (which are cleanly cast) and casting numbers down one side of the shield.

The new transmission cover assembly is also very well done with a nice cast texture plus towing shackles and casting numbers included as well as inner bulkhead detail if you wish to add an interior to the model. The final drive covers are also included on each side and again the part is cast perfectly square and fits precisely to the Tamiya hull once you cut off the forward side extensions from the Tamiya lower hull part.

A set of early M3 style suspension bogies are included which consist of the central bogie, separate suspension arms and upper return roller, the detail on the these parts is very good but some careful cleanup is needed on the top of the bogies as the sides are cast quite thin and easily damaged during cleanup.

The Tamiya kit open spoked wheels are to be used with the bogies and the design of the resin parts allows the units to be assembled without actually using any glue which shows the good engineering of the parts but of course you would glue the return roller and the two suspension arms together but by clipping the arms into the upper bogies without glue will allow them to articulate slightly for a bit of animation.

And finally there are two large sponson gap fillers to fill that large gaping hole under the Tamiya sponsons which also include the rear hull and fender gap fillers.

The kit is due for release late November.

Conclusion:
Overall this is a nicely cast and detailed M4A2 early DV hull set that has excellent details included on the hull and smaller parts and as stated this is only a pre-production set it all looks very good for the final production set which hopefully I will be able to get hold of as soon as available to update this preview with additional info on any alterations as well as the instructions.

Thanks to Ordnance Factory for the preview sample.

References:

SHERMAN A History of the American Medium Tank R.P.Hunnicutt. Presidio Books ISBN 0-89141-080-5

Modeler's Guide to the Sherman MMIR Special. Ampersand Publishing Company, Inc

Page created 21 November 2004