DML/Dragon

1/35 Sherman M4 DV

Kit Number: 6579

Reviewed by  Andrew Birkbeck, IPMS# 27087

MSRP: $47.50 Website: www.dragonmodelsusa.com Yet another addition to DML/Dragon's ever-expanding range of Sherman kits, this one an early M4 DV (direct vision), with markings for two vehicles deployed in Italy, 1944. The kit as is the custom with DML's Sherman range consists of multiple sprues, with only half the parts in the box being used for this particular model. Therefore the modeler is advised to carefully read the instructions and make note of which parts are to be used for this project, and which are to be put in the "spares box" to help with future projects. Progressing through the instructions starting with Section 1: road wheels and suspension. The modeler is provided with two types of road wheels, the stamped six spoke wheels, and the welded 5 spoke version. The decal options cover welded five spoke versions. The VVSS bogies are the "mid production" version with the straight support roller bracket. The track skids are molded thinner than I have seen on earlier DML/Dragon Shermans which shows that DML is constantly striving to improve their kits. The modeler will have to drill the four mounting holes on the fronts of the bogie units however, as these are missing on the kit parts. The tracks are the T41 rubber block version, molded in DML's "DS100" rubber material. The tracks are beautifully molded and detailed for "rubber band" tracks, and glue together using regular model cement, and paint up well. My one gripe is that they appear a tad too long, and so the fit on the model is not as snug as I might have wished. Section 2 covers the installation of the transmission housing, and this is the early three piece cast type. The appropriate parts have nice casting texture on them, together with what appear to be correct foundry casting numbers in the appropriate places. The bolted "flanges", parts E4 and E5, should have a subtle seam down their middle, which the modeler should add for total accuracy. Section 4 covers the rear of the tank, and the kit comes with the squared carburetor air cleaners, which are well detailed with 5 parts each. Section 5, hull front, and DML supplies the headlight guards as optional plastic or PE parts. The former are way too thick, scale wise, and need to be CAREFULLY thinned down for those who don't like using PE (ME!). I left my headlights off, as is often seen in period photos. The DV (direct vision) slots and hatches are very nicely done, while the front mudguards are PE parts. I had trouble getting them to mount properly and they are more trouble to assemble than would be injection molded ones, but the PE does insure very thin guards. Moving on to Section 6 & 7, we have the building of the rear hull deck, and the installation of the vehicle tools: shovel, axe, track tentioner etc. DML supplies optional PE mounts for some of the tools. Note that the main upper hull part, Part H, has fine mold lines that need spotting and then sanding off. And note that the kit does not provide sand shield mounting points for down the sides of the upper hull Sections 8 & 9 covers the turret. The kit supplies you with an early low bustle turret with the M34 gun mantle, with optional rotor shields, armored and unarmored. You also get two options for the main gun tube, either flared at the tip or not. The main turret shell, part B12, has very nicely done cast texture to it, but curiously is missing any foundry markings (strange, since DML did such a nice job doing these on the transmission housing)?? In the area of the pistol port, there are some major molding marks which will need careful removal, and some work is required to mate part B12 to the lower half of the turret shell, part B11. The turret anti-aircraft machine gun, an early M2, is extremely well detailed, utilizing both slide molded plastic injection parts and PE parts. Markings are provided for two vehicles, one listed as being 3rd Armored Division, Gustav Line in Italy, 1944, while the other is from the 753rd Tank Battalion, also the Gustav Line, 1944. Only problem is that according to my research, the 3rd Armored Div. couldn't have been in Italy at this time period, so perhaps it is mis-typed, and they mean 3rd Infantry Division, which was?? The decals ARE however extremely well printed, being produced by Cartograph of Italy, and went onto my model without any issues whatsoever (I did the 753rd TB scheme). Overall then, this is a very nice kit from DML Dragon that assembled without any major headaches. Detail is very good, and the only real issue I had was the lack of foundry markings on the turret, and giving the modeler only the PE option for the front mud guards. The latter is my personal issue however, and forced to use the PE parts, they did perform fairly well after some initial fiddling about. I enjoyed the build immensely, and would like to thank DragonUSA for providing IPMS/USA with the review sample. If you are a Shermanaholic like me, I highly recommend this kit be added to your collection.