ARM: Review - DML 1/35 scale Sherman III DV Early Production

Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/35 Scale ?39-?45 Kit Number 6573; S herman III DV Early Production - Smart Kit; 548 parts (424 in grey styrene, 98 etched brass, 23 clear styrene, 2 DS plastic, 1 length of twisted steel wire); pre-order price US$49.95 via Dragon USA Online

Advantages: nice use of new and existing DML M4 series parts to produce a n ew variant; neatly covers the early M4A2 version

Disadvantages: some minor quirks here and there

Rating: Highly Recommended

Recommendation: for all Commonwealth armour and Sherman fans

I had not realized prior to receiving a note from Peter Brown that the two most prevalent Sherman versions available to the 8th British Army for El A lamein were the Sherman II (M4A1) and Sherman III (M4A2) versions. DML has now stepped up with the latter variant and used different bits and some new parts to replicate the early direct vision version of this tank.

What comes in the box is an M4/M4A1 direct vision hull with the sprue of M

4A2/M4A3 detail parts, the low bustle early production turret with optional M34 or M34A1 gun mounts (this requires the M34 with narrow mantlet), the g eneric early production M4 VVSS bogie sprues with the additional ?spoked ? welded wheel sets, a three-piece transmission cover or optional blunt c ast cover, T41 tracks (DS plastic single runs), and the British-added bustl e bin.

The hull is new top and bottom, and a ?slide molded? three-piece trans mission cover is also new to the family. Specific details are provided to g ive two options to the grouser bin vents at the rear of the hull and either an open or closed set of engine access doors at the rear of the hull with two styles of ?locking door? (but no interior components). The kit come s with the early ?square? air cleaners as well.

Since this kit covers the British version it comes with a full set of etch ed brass sand shields and fender racks, including one that appears to be fo r the British style petrol tins on the right front fender. New design headl ight guards (e.g. easier to fold and install) complete with a folding jib a s well as the commander?s ?blade? sight are provided.

Technical assistance was provided by Pawel Krupowicz.

Finishing directions and markings are included for five tanks: C Squadron, 4th County of London Yeomanry, Italy 1943 (sand/grey with flashes, circle) ; B Squadron, 4th County of London Yeomanry, Italy 1943 (sand/grey with fla shes, ?Bramham Moor?); HQ 3rd County of London Yeomanry, Sicily 1943 (s and/grey, bow flash, diamond marking); A Squadron 44th RTR, Sicily 1943 (sa nd/grey, flashes, triangle 5); A Squadron, 29th Armoured Brigade, Tunisia 1

943 (sand/grey, flashes, triangle). A sheet of colorful Cartograf decals ar e included which also provide the aerial recognition roundels. I have no id ea how accurate the markings as DML has had a problem in the past convertin g technical input into accurate markings.

Overall, with some aftermarket decals this variant will fill in the blanks for everything from late 1942 through 1943 in the Mediterranean theater.

Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.

Cookie Sewell

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AMPSOne
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