Modeling the Sherman Tank in 1/72nd Scale
 
M4A4 Sherman ARV Mk I ModellTrans Modellbau
Kit #MT 72060
Article by Doug Chaltry; last updated 1 September 2008
This is my first Sherman recovery vehicle. It's a very interesting subject, one that has not yet been made available in plastic, though finding markings for it may be a bit difficult. This is a conversion kit, not a complete model. The box says it is designed for the ESCI M4A1, though I imagine it could be modified to use parts from other Sherman kits as well.

The hull is made from the MR Models M4A4 hull, with much additional detail added appropriate to this recovery version. The main hatch in the turret ring is molded open, though no interior detail is included, so one will need to be scratch built if you want this hatch open. Thanks to the very high quality of the original MR Models hull, as well as the nicely done added detail, this model is extremely well detailed.

Since this set was designed for the Italeri M4A1 kit, an additional piece of track is included, because this vehicle was built on the lengthened hull of the M4A4, and not enough track is included in the Italeri kit. A whole bunch of additional details are included for the specialized equipment used on this vehicle, and it all is very well molded, though a couple of the smaller and more delicate parts have been broken in transit.

Towing chain and cable have been provided in metal, which is very cool.

Overall a very decent kit. It's an interesting subject, and the resin casting is first rate, and the accuracy looks to be spot-on. It would have been nice if ModellTrans had included a fret of photoetched detail parts, but that's something I don't think they have done with any of their kits. Based on the photo on the box top, and in my references, this model will be a dream kit for those who like to add additional stowage and junk to their tanks, as these vehicles were apparently always very heavily loaded.

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Modeling the Sherman Tank in 1/72nd Scale