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Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 10:16 PM UTC
Via their U.S. Distributor, DragonUSA, the parent company, Dragon Models have announced their latest, 1/35th scale, M4 Variant.
DRA6441 - M4 Sherman "Composite Hull" PTO

Apart from the Box-Art, no further images are available. However, they HAVE published details of the new kit which is scheduled for release in May 2009:

- Composite hull with cast texture is newly tooled
- Newly designed angle of rear hull based on actual Army schematics
- Newly molded front hull
- Newly molded driver's and radio operator's hatches w/interior detail can be assembled open/closed
- Newly tooled one-piece DS T-48 tracks
- Newly tooled one-piece transmission cover with cast texture
- Bolt detail on transmission cover realistically rendered
- Newly molded welding seams
- Slide-molded gun barrel
- Two options of turret was designed base on actual Army schematics
- Separtate pistol port hatch that can be assembled open or closed
- The Bolt connecting plate for the gun shield attachment looks completely integral after assembly
- Rotor shield newly designed according to Army schematics
- Accurate gun shield with fine bolt details
- Cupola is molded in detail
- Commander's hatch with periscope assembly
- Loader's hatch and cover of periscopes can be assembled open/close
- Gun travel lock can be modeled in travel or combat modes
- Hull side plates are accurately reproduced, with a correct horizontal upper edge
- Fuel caps with interior detail can be modeled open or close
- Siren molded in detail
- Finely rendered headlight and horn guards
- Sprocket molded in detail
- Layout reproduced on-vehicle tools


More images when they become available!
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Comments

All the pictures look really nice. Was the late turret with the loader's hatch the only variant produced or were there single hatch versions as well? I am happy that this kit is finally moving along. Now all we need are figures to go with it . . .
MAR 24, 2009 - 03:59 AM
The composite could be seen with Mid production Low Bustle turrets also (DML have included the Late low bustle which is a first (outside of the recent beutpanzer USSR issue one). The Mid Production LB turrets had no Pistol port and no loaders hatch but had the cast in cheek. A lot of the British 75mm (and some of the Firefly) ones used in NWE had this configuration. AFAIK that makes three configurations of turret with 2 & possibly three LB configs (LB with no Pistol port, cast Cheek and no loaders, LB with loaders and PP plus Cast cheek and possibly [ ? ] LB with no Pistol port and loaders [unsure on this one]. They also came with the High Bustle turrets and both Low and HB turrets could be seen in the Pacific and NWE in service with US and Brit formations as early as pre Normandy. DML look to have done a great job on this one and did not miss the ID feature of the composite hull the cast bump in the middle lower glacis which the M4A1 cast does not have. Well done. Cheers Al
MAR 24, 2009 - 08:57 AM
DML is doing great things with the M4/Sherman tank. Just like the M4 Normandy, this will be allso a bestseller. One thing though,.... The ventilation dome on top off the turret is still wrong. ( According the CAD drawing.) Or did they correct this obvious mistake ???? Anyways.....I will be buying Four off them. DML, Keep those M4 variants comming please. Frank.
MAR 24, 2009 - 09:49 AM
I ordered it (I'm probably going to get in trouble for that) and will do a build-review when it arrives. I do have some good reference photos from the Philipenes but am also considering a flame tank from the 713th battalion at Okinawa. We'll see when it gets here.
APR 17, 2009 - 08:41 AM
More good news. Excellent. Al
APR 17, 2009 - 10:41 AM
This looks like a good kit, but i am a bit disapointed in the way dragon is going. No aluminum gun barrel?? I'm assuming it will have DS tracks (no big deal for me when it comes to "live" tracks."
APR 17, 2009 - 11:03 AM
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