M4A3 Large Hatch 75mm (W) Sherman (2 Viewers)

[WBritain]

Here are a couple of images of the upcoming M4A3 large hatch, 75mm armed, wet stowage Sherman tank. I sent up a small diorama within a customized Hudson & Allen single family dwelling and cobblestone road section, our new backdrop, and a preview of our European farm cart with accessories, village pump and a new U.S. tank crewman.
We currently have three variants of the tank in production with several more to follow. The first version will be arriving soon, I hope you like the pictures.
All the best,
Ken Osen

 

[Grey Heron]

Nice work WBritains. The farm cart and water pump will be a lovely addition. I'm looking forward to reading "The Standard"when you despatch the magazine next week to your international members and your photos of your adventure to Texas for the show this weekend.

Cheers,
Grey

 

[wayne556517]

I'm in love Kens all the variants.setups and the farm cart will be coming home as well awesome mate look forward to

 

[Mark IV]

Do like the crew figure

 

[WBritain]

Note that we have included two removable stowage packages for our first release of the U.S. M4A3 Large Hatch Medium tank. One includes the WWII AL-141 Yellow (international orange) Air Recognition Panel. This style of recognition panel was specified as part of the on board stowage for most all armored vehicles, as well as many soft skinned vehicles if they were near the front lines. Once the US acquired air superiority in Europe after the Invasion, most all vehicles operating near the front lines used these panels. Many WWII Signal Corps photos show these panels, but because of the black and white photography they do not stand out unless you really look for them in the photo. The easiest way to spot them is to look for the darker edge binding on the panel. Usually they just look like a piece of canvas draped over things on the rear deck, but on closer inspection you can spot the edging and ID it as the panel. This style of panel with the CS-150 bag is usually the one specified in the vehicle manuals for "On Board Stowage", although the panels that roll up into their attached cover were also used. There were two panels per set, AL-140 Red, and AL-141 Yellow. Both are white on one side and the appropriate color on the other. Vehicles were to display the particular color called for that day, so that the enemy would not know which color to display and avoid air attack by US aircraft.
A second completely different removable rear stowage is included with this release (25136) that does not have the Air Recognition panel deployed for those that prefer not to use it.
All the best,
Ken

 

[WBritain]

In addition to the three versions of the M4A3 Medium tank, we sculpted new tankers to use with them. 25136 is the first version of the M4A3 Large Hatch to be released and comes with the tanker standing in the split commander’s hatch in the turret. The seated figure in this picture comes with the second version of the Sherman (25208) that has the one piece all vision hatch. He is designed to sit on the edge of the open hatch, but works well in other positions of the tank. The driver in the left front operational hatch is a partial figure that will be available as part of an accessory set so he can be purchased to use with any of the vehicles. The figure walking with the ammo cans and standing gesturing crewman are available as individual figures. The standing figure in the bib overalls is an exclusive W. Britain Collector’s Club figure. I had a friend here in town pose in clothing from my personal collection to use as a guide in sculpting all of these figures. It really helps to accurately sculpt in the various wrinkles and folds to give the figures a realistic feel.
All the best,
Ken

 

[jazzeum]

Pardon my confusion Ken but is this the one already released or one to come? If to come, do you know when that will be? Thanks.

 

[WBritain]

No problem at all. 25136 is in stock and has the split hatch and two different rear stowage options. The stowage on the front is fixed, and the rear is removable. There is a standing commander figure with 25136. This Sherman has pressed road wheels.

The second on 25208 has an all vision single piece hatch and a different seated commander figure. The front and rear stowage on this one is in a different configuration than 25136. This version also has pressed road wheels.

25207 is a split hatch with smooth road wheels and, again a different set of stowage on the front and rear.

*Note that the rear stowage package on all three variants of the M4A3 Large hatch are interchangeable. All three have an operating drivers hatch so the driver torso in the crew add-on set can be used.
I hope this answers your questions
Ken

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks Ken. Is the weathering different on all of these or the same? The tank shown at the beginning of this thread seems weathered compared to other photos I’d seen of 25136. Is it 25136 or one of the other ones you mentioned.

Brad

 

[WBritain]

Hi Brad,
We chose to keep their weathering on the light side as you can always add more. It is limited to some dust and minor paint wear, and a little gas staining around the filler caps. This is a photo of the last in the series of 75mm armed tanks 25207. Note that we painted the tops of the gas cans red on this one, something done on unit level…

 

[WBritain]

I thought you might like to see the difference in the two styles of road wheels, smooth and stamped, we have chosen to reproduce. These examples were used during our research and design stage for the lower hull.
Ken

 

[jazzeum]

Thanks Ken. When will 25207 be coming out?

 

[WesternOutlaw]

This is a photo of the last in the series of 75mm armed tanks 25207. Note that we painted the tops of the gas cans red on this one, something done on unit level…

Excellent!

 

[WBritain]

Thanks Ken. When will 25207 be coming out?

We should have that by late October, the M18 and Halftrack will be in before the end of the year too.

 

[jazzeum]

We should have that by late October, the M18 and Halftrack will be in before the end of the year too.

Thank you Ken. Looking forward to those. Do you have plans for German armor?

 

[Hunter Rose]

This is a photo of the last in the series of 75mm armed tanks 25207.

So can we assume there is a series of 76mm armed tanks in development? :salute::

 

[mestell]

I keep getting "drawn in" on the Sherman and now with the anticipated release of the half-tracks even more so. I have not had much of an interest in collecting WWII armour until now with the release of WB's Armored Division sets. Gotta luv this habit . . . er, I mean hobby. Must keep disciplined, I don't have the space, must keep disciplined . . . Yeh, right (after all, at this point in my life I'm just spending my children's inheritance)

Mike

 

[Go for Broke]

I keep getting "drawn in" on the Sherman and now with the anticipated release of the half-tracks even more so. I have not had much of an interest in collecting WWII armour until now with the release of WB's Armored Division sets. Gotta luv this habit . . . er, I mean hobby. Must keep disciplined, I don't have the space, must keep disciplined . . . Yeh, right (after all, at this point in my life I'm just spending my children's inheritance)

Mike

At least your kids will inherit some wonderful toys.

 

[RISORGIMENTO]

hi mates. may I ask if anyone can kindly post some comparison pictures between the Britains Sherman and those of K&C (like DD045 or DD093)?
Many thanks

 

[mestell]

Well I did it. I ordered the 9th Armour Division Sherman #25208 this morning. Expected delivery is this Friday. Looking forward to it . . . Photos to follow . . .

Mike