SPA Modeler

Track types on Sherman’s I’m assuming were Duckbill style in the photos…

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:43 pm Ok… this answered my question - the M4A3 Sherman in the first photo is what I want to get. I did find one for the Battle of Bulge Sherman.

If you’re talking the Academy kit that you posted above, that will do nicely. The Academy Shermans are nice! I like them better than Tamiya, due to the better detailing. You’ll just need to find some 3rd AD bumper codes.

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:52 pm

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:43 pm Ok… this answered my question - the M4A3 Sherman in the first photo is what I want to get. I did find one for the Battle of Bulge Sherman.

If you’re talking the Academy kit that you posted above, that will do nicely. The Academy Shermans are nice! I like them better than Tamiya, due to the better detailing. You’ll just need to find some 3rd AD bumper codes.

Ok… I’m stupid but let take a wild guess. 3rd AD Bumper codes = 3rd Armor Division bumper codes ( meaning serial number codes)?

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:14 pm

Stuart wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 5:16 am I knew Carlos would know the Answer

Sherman variants seem as big a mine field as Spitfires!

Just to add to that, the 'Firefly' you mentioned was a modification specific to us Brits, who loved our Shermans - they took a standard M4 (not 100% sure which variant) and modified the turret to accept a 17lb anti-tank gun. They also deleted the bow gunners station to improve ammo storage.

What version are you after building Tom?

I was just going over factory production variants, not modifications by receiving nations such as the Firefly, Crab, etc., or field depots such as DD’s, upgunned Jumbo’s, uparmored Easy 8’s, etc. The Commonwealth Firefly’s were primarily converted from M4s, both original hull and composite hull types (or “hybrid” in British vernacular), and the M4A4. During WWII, the Firefly was the best armed Sherman for taking on the Tiger or Panther at standard combat ranges.

That's what I thought Carlos, best to keep it to the basics. I only mentioned the Firefly because Tom had mentioned it.

Fascinating subject Shermans, there's a surprising amount of marks and variants.

And consider all the vehicles based on the Sherman hull/running gear -

I was watching a YouTube video last night on Sherman tank variations. I learned about the engines types they were equipped of each variations, hulls, engine covers, etc…

I also never knew the M4A4 Sherman tank’s bogie wheels were more far apart than the previous models.

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:52 pm

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:43 pm Ok… this answered my question - the M4A3 Sherman in the first photo is what I want to get. I did find one for the Battle of Bulge Sherman.

If you’re talking the Academy kit that you posted above, that will do nicely. The Academy Shermans are nice! I like them better than Tamiya, due to the better detailing. You’ll just need to find some 3rd AD bumper codes.

The Academy Sherman was my first choice after looking at their instruction guide thru scalemates.

This is the other Academy Sherman I was looking to get along with my first choice Academy Sherman

I think the 10th AD and the 101st might take issue with that

BlackSheep214 wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 2:40 pm

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 12:52 pm

If you’re talking the Academy kit that you posted above, that will do nicely. The Academy Shermans are nice! I like them better than Tamiya, due to the better detailing. You’ll just need to find some 3rd AD bumper codes.

Ok… I’m stupid but let take a wild guess. 3rd AD Bumper codes = 3rd Armor Division bumper codes ( meaning serial number codes)?

Serial number and bumper codes are related but separate markings. Serial numbers would be stenciled onto the rear sides of the hull and identified the individual vehicle, like the VIN on any automobile. There is more to it, but keeping it simple, the serial number is like the Bu.No. or Serial Number on USN/USMC or USAAC/USAAF/USAF aircraft.
Bumper codes were developed early in WWII by the US Army and followed a standardized system that identify which unit a vehcile is assigned to, from army, corps, or division level, down to company and platoon. If looking at a vehcile from front or rear, the left side codes would designate the higher level units down to battalion level, while the right side codes would identify company, platoon, and vehicle within the platoon. There is a lot more to the system, but again that is the basic format. It is still in use today.

For example, with the 1A 741^ means that the tank is assigned to 1st Army, 741st Tank Battalion



This tank is assigned to D Company 1st Platoon, vehicle number 3 within 1st platoon

Stikpusher wrote: ↑Sat Aug 15, 2026 10:17 pm

That's a nice photo - DD Sherman? It's got the props and the intake/exhaust ducts.

What's that towing it though, is it a Priest or a Dingo?

Man I really want to build a Sherman now LOL! I DO have that Easy Eight that I started building YEARS ago - IIRC, I was replacing the closed periscopes.