Ok I have a question for all your Sherman experts. After I finish my Deuce build, I want to get a Tamiya tank, and I am leaning towards a Sherman, now the question I have is this, I like the M4A1 (cast hull, vvss) so with that being said. Should I get the Tamiya kit and use the Mato upper hull and then get the metal vvss? I know there is a lot of work to get the suspension onto the tamiya lower hull. Or get the mato tank without electronics from Phil and use the pershing DMD and MFU since I want recoil. If I go the Mato way, I will get the tamiya turret and the metal vvss. The cheaper way most likely would be using the mato as a base, but I want it to be a robust battler. So any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. I just realized I would also need gearboxes lol. So it wouldnt necessarily be cheaper. And while I am at it, will the mato metal sprockets fit the tamiya gearbox shafts?


Cheers,
Wade

As with all things Sheman, it depends...

Do you want to use metal tracks? = Tamiya hull and gearboxes
Do you want a superior model? = Tamiya hull and Nick Agular upper with a Tam turret
Do you want a cheap model? = Stock Mato with a Tam turret grafted on to the Mato base.
Do you want a more common small hatch / Dry Stowage M4A1 75mm (big hatch / wet stowage M4A1's like the Mato hull were rarely used for 75mm gun tanks) = Stock Mato + Profiline kit.

If you want to use Tamiya electronics, look out for the "Super Sherman" MFU rather than the Pershing - this has the correct radial engine sounds (and a recoil output that the original 105mm version lacks)

The metal Mato bogies are nice, but need a little work to the springs to make them sit right. I'm not yet convinced that they are a "must have" item, as I've been running stock chassis for a while now without issues (but with the plastic tracks). Same goes for gearboxes (with the same caveat).

Hope this helps point you in the right direction?
Mart

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</div><div>OK, here is a different angle on the same question.</div><div>
</div><div>My next tank is going to be a Sherman.  I would like to set it up as a battle tank to take over to Denver to spar with the FRAG folks.  The FRAG battle field is set up as a Normandy village.  </div><div>
</div><div>I have researched and it looks to me that the Mato Sherman is period correct for the time from North Africa to the end of the war (except for the main gun) and the Tamiya Sherman is only period correct for the last 6 months of the war.  So…  it seems to me that I should get a Mato  and put Tamiya guts in it so I can battle IR and fit in to the Normandy scene over in Denver.  </div><div>
</div><div>What parts would I need to pull that mod off?</div><div>How much should I expect to spend to make it happen?</div><div>Should I just go the easy way, buy the Tamiya, ignore the historical facts, and just battle?</div><div>
</div><div>I also think a Rhino would be cool on it and that rules out the Tamiya hull. </div><div>
</div><div>Why can’t the Sherman be easy?</div><div>
</div>

The M4A1 with large hatch (Mato hull) was not fitted with the 75mm gun, only the 76 mm. The M4A3 had both 75mm, 76 mm and 105 mm guns. See Hunnicutt's book.

First off - you lucky lucky b******!!! I'd love to play in their sand pit [&o]
The Mato Sherman is a M4A1 76W - Normandy and later, mostly issued to 2nd and 3rd US Armored for Operation Cobra, also the Polish 1st Armoured after Normandy, and in small numbers to Commonwealth troops in Italy in late 44 / early 45. (I'm sure there are exceptions - Panther F will be along shortly to enlighten us [8D] )

180ish built

Yes

Ok, in order:
If you want to go Tamiya electronics - see above. the turret needs a little work and if you want recoil thats a whole lot of hacking and whacking to make a Tam recoil unit fit - I've done it a few times but its not straight forward. By Rhino I think you mean the Cullen hedgerow cutter? That works for a Normandy tank
tank-modelbau.de sell a drop in replacement for the main gun that is set up for a recoil - I forget who stocks it in the US, either ETO or rctankwars (or both?).

Other than that and the Tamiya apple (Jason's store on ebay) you are all set. I've been running Mato chassis with out mods for a while and not broken them, so you should be good to go [8D]

Good luck!
mart

That's what I used to think, but then research by Panther F and others pointed out that there was at least one batch of 150ish big hatch 75mm's built to Sherman DD standard in Ohio - the slapton sands memorial tank is one of them

Thanks, I have been reading "Armored Thunderbolt" by Steven Zaloga in an attempt to sort out the Sherman puzzle.

And Yes, a Cullen Hedgerow cutter.

As we all know there is no such thing as owning 1 tank, my plans are to have a few "backyard" battle tanks, nothing too expensive for the in-laws and I, BUT I want at least one Tamiya built for "hard" battles. So the more I think about this, the Tamiya Pershing may be the way to go. And my thoughts on the Sherman, well, when time and money permits, I like the looks of the Profoline kit, metal vvss (just looks more scale IMO) and YHR's DBC3 with a benedini sound system. Where does one purchase the Profoline kit? I have been searching but came up empty.
Thanks for the replies.

Cheers,
Wade

The metal VVSS from Mato is in scale and functioning, making it a must have.

Realistically unless your going to build the Tamiya stock, I wouldn't bother buying the kit. No recoil in the Tamiya electronics either so you really want something different then the stock, unless you buy the Super Sherman. You will end up changing so much out there will be little left of the original. Just buy the parts you need from the various vendors and build what you want.

The Mato and Tamiya upper hulls graft together to make a nice Hybrid Firefly. I see no issues with using the Mato plastic tub either.

Electronics. There are a lot of different options around now

www.profiline-models.com

Just plan ahead and be patient, I ordered a Jagd IV (V) on May 11 and it finally shipped on June 5, which was faster than most. I hope to have it in the next week or so when I should be finishing what's already on the bench.

Thanks Dan for the suggestions, I am leaning more that way now. I agree that there would be very little left over. Ausf thank you for the link, I saw that, but thought there was a third party vendor that sold them also.

Cheers
Wade

Rumor has it a few 75mm Big Hatch M4A1 made it into the ETO as standard gun tanks. The only info I have is it was a small batch and they may have been attached to the 2nd AD.

Oh, 75mm gun turrets on big hatched A1 hulls? [X(]

Just a few of those were built and most went to conversions as the Duplex Drive tanks.





As a matter of fact, I believe ALL of those large hatched M4A1 75MM Shermans were used as DD tanks. That's why you don't see too many of them around. But I do have a photo or two around at home. When I get the time I'll look around for it/them.









~ Jeff

Correct me if I'm wrong, but would it be accurate to use a tamiya turret with a different mantlet and 75mm? And use the mato upper? When you say small/large hatch are you referring to the turret hatches or the hull hatches? Forgive me I am a noob when it comes to Shermans

It would HAVE to be the M34A1 mantlet as shown above.

The reference to hatches is all about what the hull has and nothing to do with the turret, which is another story all on its own.










~ Jeff

I need to read my Sherman's at War book lol. I like the Profiline kit but it's a pretty steep price. I will need to research the look I am going for and keeping the price tag within reason. Thanks Panther.

Cheers
Wade

While the Hunnicutt publication is an 'all tell' on the Sherman, I do not have it yet. But by the time I bought all the other books on the Sherman I just about have everything it contains. Get as many books as you can.

I do have the Profiline kit that you speak of and I'm on the fence on whether to get the Mato as the donor or wait to see if the HL rumor is true. I have issues with the Mato suspension and don't want to yank another 100 or so bucks into it just to "fix" a problem. It was good enough for the fun project ... my Oddball Sherman, but an early A1 I am serious about.

So I'll wait. I don't mind spending money (because these are money pits anyway once you start modifying and converting things) but why if you don't have to?










~ Jeff