Rubicon M4A3E8 Sherman IV part three

So this tank is going to be carrying spare fuel and water so the crew is using the blanket shelf to carry the jerry cans. This comprises two jerry cans from the kit sprue and the four can moulding plus two cans from a sawn up four can moulding from the Allied Stowage sprue.

Because the four can moulding is hollow with an open bottom, I used a 6.3mm wide strip of Evergreen strip as a base and glued the cans to that.

This has been placed on the basket carrier to test it. The base plate is then trimmed to fit.

The kit is lacking turret lift rings. These were added using 0.7mm brass rod bent to shape. These were then fitted into holes drilled in the turret sides.

The turret sides will be smoothed where they have been marked by the glue.

The bow machine gun has not been added because it is vulnerable damage due to handling.

Side view.

The upper hull and the chassis are not glued at this point (I keep it separate for painting), hence the gap on the left of the photograph just above the transmission cover joint.

Side view showing the pistol port added but the joint underneath requiring smoothing.

Rear view. The turret ventilator needs to be added. The heavy machine gun cradle is a bit too vulnerable, so will not be added.  The fixing points will be removed from the corners of the bustle.

The infantry telephone box from the Warlord Games Sherman V kit has been added to the rear of the backplate.

Three quarter rear view.

The heavy machine gun  position behind the commander's position made the use of the gun difficult, especially if you want to fire it forward. Later the heavy machine gun was moved forward. I have plugged the hole and will remove the bracket. A replacement bracket will need to be added.

The blanket shelf has been added and the jerry cans have been placed on the shelf. A strap has been added to hold them all together.

Rubicon M4A3E8 Sherman IV part two

So the chassis is now complete. The use of Tamiya  Extra Thin Cement appears to make a lot better bond of the plastic used by Rubicon. The gun mantlet is a bit difficult to assemble, the contact points are rather small if you want the barrel to pivot up and down. Some work was required to blend in the top and bottom halves of the turret body.

The kit has three different suspension options, normal Vertical Volute suspension (VVSS), extended  (duckbill) track with VVSS and Horizontal Volute Suspension (HVSS). This kit is being assembled with the HVSS.

While I was working on the upper hull, I had placed the turret on the lower hull.

I was struck by how it resembled the US T23 prototype.

Rubicon M4A3E8 Sherman IV

So, having bought this way back at Salute  (this year I do point out), it has reached my workbench.

This is a four sprue kit in the slightly larger Rubicon box.

Sprue A is the standard lower hull and Vertical Volute suspension

Sprue B has the M4A3 hull and accessories.

Sprue D has the T23 76mm turret and the extended edge connectors track.

 Sprue E is the Horizontal Volute Suspension

Instructions and decal sheet.

So far I have assembled the basic structure of the turret.

William Killian for scale.