Tamiya 1/48 M1A4 Sherman Normandy 1944

[Danthegoat]

So on Monday I returned from Normandy after a family holiday. We stayed to the west of the peninsula just south of Cherbourg and visited Utah Beach and Ponte Du Hoc on one of the days. These things are pretty inspirational for modellers. As we walked towards the Utah Beach Museum we were met by this monster.

Easy 8 Utah Beach by Dan Cook, on Flickr
I thought get in will model this and sent the image to the Hangout chat for some ideas for what to build. I then found out that this in fact was not even a D-Day Sherman and in fact was an 'Easy Eight' version from later in the war with an uprated gun etc. I was told the Shermans on D-Day and the ensuing battle for Normandy were M4A1's. Consequently I then asked what 35th model is best. However, other than an Italieri model the best is an Asuka Sherman. But, that was a little expensive and I remembered the 1/48th Tamiya armour I had fancied doing a yer ago and never got round to having a go. I have part build the Dragon 1/35 Tiger '131' and Pazer III. They are lovely kits but the builds have stalled and found themselves on the pile of doom. So Inspired by PLASMO's small armour builds and recommendation from Paul I bought the Tamiya Sherman from my local model shop in Newark.
There is not much to it as you can see but its is cripple moulded and will be a quick build. I also thought I could easily put it on a little diorama base of a beach or a hedge lined road from Normandy. Never done one of those either and fancy that too.
Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr
Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr

Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr
Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr
Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr
Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr
Tamiya 1:48 M1A1 Sherman by Dan Cook, on Flickr
So, I am going to give this little tank a go and hopefully not stall.....

[Danthegoat]

So at my mother in laws and cracking on with the build. Falls together. Lovely little kit. Just a little bit of flash that can be scrapped off. Will need a smidgen if filler on the barrel at the top and at the rear of the turret. Only issue I had is that I forgot my superglue to attach pieces to the cast metal base.

[Danthegoat]

So I had some time and some locktite superglue.
I put the plastic on the metal on the front and back.
Fits nice.

[Danthegoat]

Done a bit more on the running gear tonight. Superglued parts on to the metal hull

[TheNordus]

I've been meaning to build a D-day sherman myself. M4 and M4A1 are actually the same tank, just the A1 means that it has a cast hull.

You seem to be progressing well, keep at it! Also take care to sand the seam(s) on the gun of the tank, it's a good skill to have.

[Danthegoat]

Just a little bit of filler on the gun barrel and at the back of the turret. Sanded it back and I think she’s ready for primer

[Danthegoat]

Primed the beast with the Ultimate Apex and Ultimate Black primer. Need to sand the end of the barrel a bit but happy.