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In-Box Review
135
Basic M4 Driver's Position
M4 Sherman Basic Drivers Conversion Set
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by: Alan McNeilly [ ALANL ]

Introduction

Back in July 2010 I brought you a review of the new Sherman M4A4 Interior Set from Resicast, reviewed here:

M4A4 Interior Review

At the time I mentioned that the company had several other ‘interior’ projects in the pipe line, one of which was a Basic Drivers Interior for M4 Shermans. This is a look at set No 35.2329, a basic drivers position. It is just that, a basic detail set for all M4’s. Based on the Tasca M4A4 and M4A1 interior sets by Resicast, the set offers a basic drivers interior.

As there are many versions of the Sherman, this set is not correct for all M4’s but it will nicely fill the interior of any plastic or resin kit and does provide you with seats, steering and gear mechanisms that were common to most Shermans.

The set was mastered by Graham Sellar, and thanks are given in the instructions to Carlos Darcy and Adrian Barrell.

So let have a look at what you get.

The Set

The set comes packed in the standard sturdy and professional Resicast small box. The cover depicts several pictures of the set and the manufacturers details. Inside are 4 zip plastic bags containing the kit parts, all wrapped in bubble wrap for extra protection.

The parts are cast in a light grey resin and were free from any damage. The casting, as one would expect from Resicast, is excellent with the parts having good sharp detail.

The box also contains a 12 page set of instructions, complete with parts listing, clear assembly instructions and examples of part placement for an M4A4 and an M4A1, together with some equipment drawings and reference pictures.

The parts themselves consist of:

1 x Transmission housing
1 x Drivers floor
1 x Co-drivers floor
1 x Escape hatch mechanism
1 x Dashboard
3 x Breather
1 x Stowage Box
1 x Extinguisher hand
1 x Tray
1 x Accelerator Pedal
1 x Clutch Pedal
1 x .30 cal ammo stowage
1 x 30 rd floor stowage
1 x Dashboard M4A1
1 x Front left ammo rack
1 x Front right stowage
1 x Drive shaft
1 x Gear box
1 x Steering
1 x Arm
1 x Arm right
2 x Link (2 2)
1 x Steering lever (1 1)
1 x Brake lever
1 x Gear lever
2 x Seat support
1 x Spare periscope
2 x Frame leg
2 x Frame
1 x Left from ammo box M4A1
1 x Right 57mm ammo bin M4A1
1 x Front Stowage box M4A1
1 x Turret basket – see note below

So you should have in this set a lot of the basic parts needed to fill up the front interior of your Sherman. Obviously check your references for layout against Mk, but most of these parts were common across many, but not all, Shermans.

The Turret basket mentioned above is part X and is only a blanking plate to go at the back of the drivers’ position to block further view when looking through the open hatches.

Conclusion

This is an excellently cast and well produced detail set. You would need to check your references against Mk of tank, but if you are looking for a basic drivers interior, but don’t want to go the whole hog and super detail everything inside, then this should suit your needs well.

Leaving the hatches open on a Sherman has always created problems, you have a super model and then a big empty gap where the missing interior bits should be. This set offers an alternative to modellers and might well be a very good beginners kit for some extra detailing if you’ve thought about this but been frightened off by the look and work needed for a full interior.

You’ll need a sharp razor saw, but overall the clean up should be minimal. Depending on your choice of Sherman kit maker (Tasca, DML, Italeri etc) you may have to make some adjustments to the parts for a good fit, but this is probably as close as it gets to one size fits almost all.

There is, for some odd reason, a great satisfaction in knowing the interior is there, even when you only see a partial bit of it. The viewers eye is drawn into the vehicle basically because, I suppose, we are a bit nosey, but they do add so much to a build. That of course is just a personal perspective.

Click here for additional images for this review.

SUMMARY
Highs: Good generic parts for many M4's, excellently cast with clear instructions.
Lows: None I can think of.
Verdict: Highly Recommended.
Percentage Rating
90%
  Scale: 1:35
  Mfg. ID: 35.2329
  PUBLISHED: Oct 31, 2010
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 88.73%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 90.29%

Our Thanks to Resicast!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Alan McNeilly (AlanL)
FROM: ENGLAND - EAST ANGLIA, UNITED KINGDOM

Greying slightly, but young at heart. I've been teaching adults off and on for most of my life. Left the services in 85 and first started modelling in about 87 for a few years. Then I had a long spell when I didn't build anything (too busy) and really just got started again during the summer of ...

Copyright ©2021 text by Alan McNeilly [ ALANL ]. All rights reserved.



Comments

Hi Al Great review very informative thanks...might get this for my Tasca Sherman V. If this is the 'basic' set heaven knows what a more comprehensive set would include. Martyn
NOV 04, 2010 - 12:52 AM
Good review Alan. Not for me if I put all that hard work in I'd want someone to see it. This is an intriguing set and as Martyn says if this is the basic set what would the deluxe set contain ?
NOV 04, 2010 - 01:29 AM
Hi Martyn and Pat, for the Full Monty see here: M4A4 75mm Full Interior My understanding is that full interiors for the M4A1 and M4A4 Firefly Vc are in the pipe. These should be standard for all tanks , just makes the builds so much more enjoyable. Al
NOV 04, 2010 - 03:38 AM
Agreed and the M4A1 kit would be most welcome on my end. I'd have to redo the breech for my M4A1 (76) but the rest would be very nice indeed. matt
NOV 04, 2010 - 05:15 AM
   
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