If your open to a sherman, that I would suggest reserving a little thought for the Pershing. That tank is sick! Fun build and the only thing required is for mere aesthetic purposes such as the must have periscope guards and turret rain/dust canopy brackets. That is the one tank I know for certain needs nothing to improve performance......well, maybe the metal elevation arm, but you can get all that at Eto. If and when you do decide to get a tamiya, PM or email Bob at Eto and he'll send you on the right direction......and no, he won't try to sell you fleas off a dogs back, he's pretty honest and straight forward about mandatory and unnecessary stuff.