6579 - M4DV

DR6579: M4 DV (Direct Vision)

1/35 injection plastic kit with photo etch and decals

The M4 was one of the main versions of the Sherman used by the US Army during WWII. Earlier production M4 can be distinguished by the hull which had a pair of direct visors (DV) on the glacis and a flat front plate with welded joins on the side. Like with the M4A1 (which had cast upper hull with rounded edges), the M4 had a petrol (gasoline) engine. The M4 DV was produced in large numbers in late 1942 and 1943 and is often seen in photos from the Mediterranean Theatre.

This new Smart Kit release provides a version of the M4 Sherman previously not available in 1/35 scale from Dragon and combines new parts including a new upper hull with sprues from recent releases of the Sherman. This kit benefits from slide-molding, photo etch and one piece DS styrene tracks. The inclusion of features such as the weld beams and casting numbers on the hull shows the attention to detail. The gatefold instructions have 10 steps of clear line drawings.

HULL

The main upper hull is new slide molded tooling and features the direct vision hoods for the driver and radio operator typical of the early production M4 DV. The direct vision slots are sharply detailed and include separate parts for the optics. The rear of the upper hull has the 90 degree angle of the early production M4. Other features on the upper hull include realistic casting numbers on the front glacis, crisp weld marks, texture and sharp detail for the varying raised mounting points, and the weld marks on the base of the ring protecting the turret base...

The front fenders have the US Army profile and are photo etch. The main part for each front fender is well designed such that it captures raised profile and will have structural integrity and positive alignment when folded to shape (i.e. is better designed than other PE which would have more parts and present problems aligning the extra parts).

The transmission cover on the hull front is based on a slide molded part with separate parts for the ribbed vertical joins and horizontal join to capture the numerous bolts. The one-piece lower hull tub has the sponsons and ample detail on the belly plate.

The engine deck hatches to the engine can be left open and folded, although you will need to add an engine. The engine ventilator cover has a PE mesh screen, as do two covered vents on the main engine deck. The rear hatches to the engine bay can also be left open.

The suspension has VVSS bogies (Vertical Volute Spring Suspension) and the road wheels have five spokes with lightening holes (spare parts include solid road wheels and alternative sprockets etc).

Separate parts are provided for a variety of fitting including the towing eyes, lifting points and new rear tail lamps. For the front lamp guards there is a choice of plastic or PE that is designed to simplify assembly. The rear tow cable stay is PE and comes with a bending template to get the profile right while the cable itself is twisted metal. The cable itself is made from twisted metal strands. The tools have the clasps molded on and also have the useful option of PE clasps (you trim off the plastic clasps).

TURRET

The main turret shell is a single piece that is slide molded with casting surface texture and integrated bustle. It depicts an early 75mm turret with a single split hatch for the commander and has the extra rod on the rear indicative of a US Army version.

The commander’s hatch is detailed on both sides (e.g. internal locking mechanism) and has a clear vision block for the periscope. Like with the side pistol port (which has a locking arm), it can be assembled open or closed. The antenna base is crisply detailed and other small detail includes lifting points, rain guards and the indentations on the coaxial MG. The 75 mm M3 gun barrel is a single plastic slide-molding with a hollowed out muzzle. There are slight seam markings, which can be easily removed. There is a choice of M34 gun mounts and connecting plates with sharply detailed bolt heads. The configuration on the box art with the narrow profile is typical for the M4 DV.

TRACKS

The tracks are the earlier T41 pattern which is appropriate for an M4 with Direct Vision and the 90 degree angle on the rear hull. The T41 tracks had thinner rubber pads than the later T51 pattern. The tracks are the glueable one-piece Dragon Styrene (DS) type and are packed flat in the box, so that they do not get bent in storage.

MARKINGS

This release has two Cartograf decals sheets with suggested paint schemes for two olive drab tanks with the US Army at the Gustav Line in Italy 1944. Both M4s have a white US Army star in a circle on the engine deck. The second M4 is from the 753rd Tank Battalion has an additional hand painted star on the turret along with tactical markings.

The first decal sheet contains the stars and a couple of other markings, while the second sheet contains generic US Army registration markings (numbers, letters, U.S.A. prefix, dashes etc) to combine as you wish.

RECOMMENDATION

Dragon’s M4 Direct Vision provides an impressive out of the box model which benefits from the Smart Kit format. This kit provides a welcome addition to Dragon’s range of 1/35 scale WWII M4 – Shermans, and will please many modellers as it represents one of the earlier versions of the M4 which the US Army used in combat. Definitely recommended.

- Neville Lord