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DR6325: M4A3 76(W)
1/35 injection plastic kit with multimedia accessories and decals

The M4A3 (76)W with its 76mm gun, characteristic flat front plate and Ford V8 petrol engine first saw combat with US troops in the summer of 1944. The M4A3 was the US Army’s favoured version of the Sherman and the upgunned 76mm cannon gave the Sherman increased ability to combat the heavier German Panther. The (W) stands for wet and refers to how the ammunition was stored to reduce the risk of the tank rapidly catching fire when hit. The M4A3 (76)W saw first saw combat in northern France and was also used in southern France, Italy and across north west Europe. General Creighton Abrams used one of the earlier M4A3 (76)W shipped to Europe with the early style vertical volute spring suspension and in doing so helped overcome initial crew uncertainty over the 76mm gun. Combat experience changed these attitudes as the increased firepower proved important, particular under the poor conditions experienced in autumn and winter where the gun’s greater range compensated for the reduced tactical maneuverability caused by the weather.

This new releases adds to Dragon’s growing range of Shermans and in particular includes a decal option to depict another of Abrams’ Thunderbolt tanks. This kit offers the M4A3 76(W) with the earlier vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS) and one-piece Dragon Styrene tracks of the T48 tracks with extended end connectors (EEC) and (duck-bills) for use on soft terrain. It has the improved tooling from recent Dragon Sherman kits and a small PE fret, metal tow cable and clear plastic parts for the optics. This kit, which has over 300 parts benefits from the use of slide-molding, and research, evident in features such as the raised weld beams on the upper hull. The gatefold instructions have 12 steps of line drawings that are well laid out.

Turret
For the turret there is the choice of either an early or late T23 turret shell, the late having the smaller oval shaped loader’s hatch. Both patterns have a large turret shell with visible surface casting texture and are modern toolings that have numerous features and contour improvements over earlier kits including realistic cast texture. The early version, which is revised tooling, now has a choice of cupolas for the commander with either single or split hatch and the respective different cast cupola bases both of which are sharply tooled. The commander’s hatches are detailed on both sides (e.g. internal locking mechanism). On both shapes all hatches can be assembled open or closed and there are separate crisply molded parts are provided for the cupola, pistol ports, aerial mount, mantlet, periscopes, lifting points, ventilator covers, turret base etc. Features include the clear vision block and the rain-guard lip around the commander's and loader's (early only) hatches. The mantlet has the casting numbers on it and is crisply defined. The 0.5 inch Browning machinegun is nicely defined with a hollowed our muzzle and a three-part ammo box.

For the 76mm barrel, there is the choice of three singe-piece injection plastic tubes. These differ in whether they have a muzzle break, thread protector or plain muzzle end. The first two options both have detail for where the screw holes were milled.

Hull
The main upper hull is one large piece that features the raised weld beams and is mated to a new one-piece lower hull tub, which has the sponsons molded in place. Separate parts are provided for numerous details such as the gun travel lock, lifting loops etc. There is new tooling for the engine-cover support block with the APU exhaust pipe, and spare track rack links while the rear hull plate, which is a separate part, is set at the correct angle. The tools have the clasps molded on and while satisfactory, could benefit from PE.

The grill for the engine deck is recent tooling and now has exactly 24 bars in each block correcting a minor slip in earlier kits. The hatches to the engine can be left open which opens up much diorama potential, although you will need to add an engine. On the rear of the hull there is a new air intake, which is built from five parts to capture the complex shape.

The PE fret contains the front mudguards, side fenders and optional front headlamp guards.

The suspension has VVSS bogies (Vertical Volute Spring Suspension) with the choice of either the flat or upswept mount profile, while the road wheels have the choice of five open spokes or six raised ribs on solid wheels. The drive sprockets have the choice of the simple plate or fancier machined pattern, both of which are recently revised tooling.

The tracks are the newly tooled one-piece Dragon Styrene (DS) tracks. There are the T48 tracks with extended end connectors (EEC) and (duck-bills) which is well suited for use on soft terrain as was often encountered in Europe during the autumn of 1944 and the winter of 1944/45. These duckbills are evident in many frontline photos.

Markings
A medium sized 12cm x 8.5cm decal sheet by Cartograf has markings for five profiled US Army tanks from Western Europe and Italy in WWII and names for another three Shermans (Pvt Luther, JULIA, Pvt Leonard). The overall choice of vehicles provides some variety in the appearance of the finished kits.

The five featured Shermans are profiled in colour on the side of the box and the instruction sheet (4 view):

“Thunderbolt VI”, 4th US Armored Division, Bastogne 1944. This was commanded by Abrams during the Battle of the Bulge.
1st US Armored Division, St Lucia Italy 1944 (red bands on barrel and red turret number and named SOMME IV)
760th Tank Battalion, US Fifth Army, Italy 1945 (large white stars in circles and named KOKOMO)
761st Tank Battalion, Task Force Rhine,Germany 1945. Olive drab and dark green paint scheme with the name Cool Studs Inc #4.
714th Tank Battalion 12th US Armored Division, Germany 1945 Olive drab and dark green paint scheme with varied insignia including hull number 711.
Recommendation

This new M4A3 (76)W with VVSS is another example of how Dragon continues to improve and expand their range of Shermans. Like other recent Dragon Sherman’s it features numerous improvements in the tooling in terms of both finesse and construction, which ensures that it will appeal to a broad range of modelers. The inclusion of T48 tracks with duck-bills offers that little extra something which reflects numerous frontline photos. Definitely recommended.

- Neville Lord