1:35 U.S. M4A3（76）W Sherman Medium For Meng TS-043

The real subject

The M4A3 was one of the production versions of the American Sherman medium tank. The 76 in the name points to the stronger 76 mm gun in a larger turret, the letter W to wet stowage of the rounds, which was meant to lower the risk of an ammunition fire after a hit. It is in precisely this form that Shermans appear in the last phase of the fighting in Europe.

What the set offers

These are photo-etched parts, that is thin metal shapes etched out of sheet. Photo-etched parts can replace plastic pieces that are too thick for the scale, for example the grilles over the engine compartment, brackets, eyes and the thin edges of the fenders. The set is built for the Meng TS-043 kit, so the shape of the parts answers to the way that kit is broken down; on another kit count on some adjustment.

Building tips

The procedure that proves itself with photo-etched parts:

• separate the parts with a sharp blade on a hard surface, never by breaking them out
• sand the remains of the tabs with a fine file
• make the bends over a straight edge or in a bending tool
• glue with cyanoacrylate glue in small drops, or with a two-part glue
• degrease the metal before painting, or the paint will not hold

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who are building a vehicle for a display case or for a diorama and want the detail to stand up close up. Count on the work with photo-etched parts lengthening the build: the parts are small and call for fine tweezers, good light and a steady hand, but on a finished model the difference shows at a glance. The kit, paints and glue are not part of the delivery, unless stated otherwise.