Here is a list of Sherman versions that the boyz say that can be made with the model that Gabriel is making.
Sherman M4A1 Gun 75mm and 76 mm
Sherman M4A1 w/turret T-23
Sherman M4A1 w/bulldozer
Sherman M4A1 DD Amphibious
Sherman M4A1 Cullin
Sherman M4A1 Calliope
Sherman M4A1 Landing Normandy
Sherman M4A1 Landing Sicily
Sherman M4A1 Composite hull 75mm
Sherman M4A1 Composite Firefly
OK, what you are showing is basically the "large hatch" version of the M4A1. Let me address your list (assuming that this is the only hull you are using);
M4A1 with 76mm gun - this is the same as the "M4A1 w/ turret T23. Yes, you should be on a good track for this one.
M4A1 with 75mm gun - Sorry, but this version as a 75mm gun tank is VERY VERY rare! Almost all of the M4A1s with this hull and 75mm gun for conversion to DD tanks. To show this tank as an "average" M4A1 would be INCORRECT.
M4A1 with Bulldozer, M4A1Calliope - see above comments on 75mm tanks, there weren't many dozer kits put on 76mm tanks until almost the end of WW2.
M4A1 "Cullin" - this COULD be an ex-DD tank that was stripped of its fittings and used in the breakout. There are several photos that show these, but again - a VERY RARE tank.
M4A1 DD amphibious - yes, here you would have a nice model using that hull and a later 75mm turret, HOWEVER - a DD tank was distinctively modified, the floatation screen can be built, but they are not easy!
M4A1 Landing Normandy - I assume you mean the DD, then you are OK. If you mean the gun tanks with 75mm guns then you are incorrect. THere were LOTS of M4A1s in Normandy, but they were the earlier "small hatch" hulls, with applique armor and other late features.
M4A1 Invasion Sicily - ABSOLUTELY NOT! That hull is much later than the Sicily operation. The tanks on Sicily were M4A1s with "small hatch" hulls, early turrets, and no applique armor patches. Some were the earliest versions, similar to what the US sent the British Eigth Army before Alamein.
Composite hull 75mm - here you are wonderfully correct, as long as your sculptor remembers that the rear 2/3 of the hull was welded. These were NOT "M4A1" but late production M4 types. The "composite" hull M4 was used by the US in Europe (in limited numbers) by the British and Canadians in Europe and by the US Army in the Phillipines and on Okinawa.
Sherman M4A1 Composite Firefly - many of the above tanks supplied to the UK were converted to "Firefly" tanks, so they are common. A number of the tanks the US Army sent for Firefly conversion were this type, but the war ended before any could see service.
I am not trying to rain on anyone's parade here, but I have been studying Shermans for 30 years. On many of the modeling sites the question often arises about hwhat else can be done with this hull as many modelers want to do conversions on them. You will find the same answers - the hull you have shown us is basically just used for 76mm gunned M4A1 tanks, which the US used only in Europe from 7/44 onwards. The British received some and used some in Europe and a few in Italy late in the war. The French had a few in WW2 and used a lot post-war and the Iraelis also used them in original form in 1956 and they were later rebuilt into Super Shermans. The tank you can create with the hull shown would be like the recent K&C Strictly Limited tank without its sandbags.
If your sculptor will provide with an earlier "small hatch" M4A1 for the 75mm gun version then you can do the other variants PLUS a few others (like the M32 recovery vehicle).
I am very interested in your Sherman project and would certainly be willing to advise or support you as I can.
Gary Binder
