Special Shermans (1 Viewer)

[Ana Donzino]

Rob - I think so. The boyz wanted me to post the poll and now they have the results. Let's see what they do with them

Thanks to all guys!

Ana

 

[Rob]

Thank you Ana,i have a feeling your Calliope is going to be one cool Tank!

Rob

 

[OzDigger]

Several companies have made a model Calliope. No one has done a Duplex Drive with curtain - that I know of.

 

[Rob]

Several companies have made a model Calliope. No one has done a Duplex Drive with curtain - that I know of.

Agreed Oz,but think of a Calliope made by one of the top producers such as HB,K&C or Figarti,would be so cool.As for the Duplex drive,i was surprised it didn't get more votes.

Rob

 

[binder001]

Several companies have made a model Calliope. No one has done a Duplex Drive with curtain - that I know of.

The only DD tanks that I am aware of are Resicasts kits in 1/35th (I don't think they are currently available) and some war gamer models. The DD screens and gear would require a lot of hand assembly, but that is something that HB is good at. IMHO they should look at two versions, screen up for swimming, screen down to travel and combat. I did a screen down version in 1/72nd scale from the older ESCI/Italeri M4A1 kit. Lots of little details to address (and mine was nowhere near a contest model). Still a very interesting tank. The US version (based on the M4A1) was also used by some British units. The British version (based on M4A2 or M4A4) were used by the UK and for some of the training of US units. The DD's were used in Operation Neptune (the naval phase of Overlord), in Operation Dragoon (Southern France) and in the Rhine crossings (3rd Army and by 21 Army Group).

The "Calliope" is an interesting gadget that adds detail and interest to a model. The wiring harness is an interesting piece of detail. I think it would be interesting to have figures shown reloading the launcher, unpacking rockets,etc. Otherwise there aren't many figure opportunities with a Calliope. Some details are the use of blame barriers by some units to keep rocket exhaust from entering the engine compartment, or the use of boxes on the back of the tank for stowage (to keep the stuff from getting scorched). The radio antenna was moved on some tanks to clear the launcher. The original mounting had the launcher elevation arm attached to the main gun, but crews didn't like the interference with using the cannon, so later the elevation arm was mounted to the gun shield. I don't think the launcher was terribly militarily effective, but it makes a very interesting model.

Gary

 

[Rob]

Thanks for another very interesting post Gary.I thought if the HB crew are not loading the Calliope i might just get the Tank and maybe use K&C's new Tank crew with it.

Rob

 

[OzDigger]

With all the existing D-Day vehicles and figure sets my feeling is that something related to D-Day would be more popular in the market place. As I said before I do like ALL of the suggestions including the Calliope. However I reckon it wouldn't be as popular as say a D-D Sherman or one with exhaust stacks as used on D-Day. Of course an 'operating curtain' would be to fiddly and expensive but you could have separate options with raised or lowered curtain cast in resin or similar.

 

[Rob]

With all the existing D-Day vehicles and figure sets my feeling is that something related to D-Day would be more popular in the market place. As I said before I do like ALL of the suggestions including the Calliope. However I reckon it wouldn't be as popular as say a D-D Sherman or one with exhaust stacks as used on D-Day. Of course an 'operating curtain' would be to fiddly and expensive but you could have separate options with raised or lowered curtain cast in resin or similar.

I thought this when i first saw the poll,but (at least in this small snapshot poll)it appears to be a popular choice.I'd like to see all versions of the Sherman eventually though.The version with the stacks look cool as does the bulldozer.As for the curtain i think Oz's idea would have to be the way to go,fixed in raised or lowered position.There is a famous photo of a Sherman with skirt lowered giving support to British troops as they all head inland from the Normandy beaches.It will be good to see how many versions of this Tank HB make and i'm sure they are going to be popular,Shermans,Tigers,Panthers,folks can never get enough of them it seems.

Rob

 

[steel wheels]

I would love to see an Israeli super Sherman, that fought so well during many of the Middle East conflicts. Besides, that is one great looking tank.

 

[fmethorst]

It's amazing they managed to cram a 105mm gun into that turret.

Note the M4A1 Hull

M51 Super Sherman

Israeli Sherman vs. Syrian Panzer IV and Egyptian T34/85

 

[kilted vampire]

Artillery Faeries working overtime I quess.

 

[steel wheels]

That is one nice looking machine. I would commision the HB people to make me that Israeli super sherman. A general Moshe Dayan figure with the eye patch would be awesome as well.

 

[sv288]

That is one nice looking machine. I would commision the HB people to make me that Israeli super sherman. A general Moshe Dayan figure with the eye patch would be awesome as well.

Calliope i'd have to agree.