Sherman II (Direct Vision Type) build – Part 1:Introduction

16/11/2014 by skarach 3 Comments

The vehicle

sherman_II_direct_vision_400

The Sherman II (M4A1) “Direct Vision Type” means that it was “built with direct vision [slots] for driver/assistant” [1]. One of the myriad of Sherman types used by the British [2], it first saw action at El Alamein in 1942 [3].

The kit

sherman_II-direct_vision_type_tasca_box_400

Tasca 1/35 kit [4]. I was impressed with Tasca’s Sherman Firefly kit when I built that a couple of years ago. Looking at my British Army WW2 tank collection I decided that I was missing an earlier Sherman type. Specifically, I like the desert colour schemes so I opted for this North Africa theatre vehicle. This kit should be quick to build – it has a not too high part count and few photo etch pieces. So, it will serve as an “interlude” before a more involved project.

References

1. http://www.usarmymodels.com/ARTICLES/Sherman%20Corner/shermanvariants.html
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lend-Lease_Sherman_tanks
3. http://www.primeportal.net/apc/m4_sherman.htm
4. http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/tasca/tasca35014.html

3 thoughts on “Sherman II (Direct Vision Type) build – Part 1:Introduction”

John Palmer
17/11/2014 at 2:23 pm

Did direct vision mean an anti-tank shot could enter through those slots with no interference?

- skarach
  17/11/2014 at 8:03 pm
  
  Yes, slots (http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/hoods_hatches/M4A3_DV3.JPG) – so a big gun round could not travel through – except, of course, penetrating the Sherman at weak points in the usual way. I suppose that maybe a very lucky rifle shot might get through? All in all, it doesn’t sound like a great idea.
  http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/hoods_hatches/hoods_hatches.html
  
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