I checked out that website but i could really find anything…. But here is what the instructions say
How late is the late version? Like Korean War late?
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Oh, you’re talking about interior fittings — I thought you meant outside parts, like whether or not there are attachment points for a canvas cover over the mantlet.
The instructions are on Scalemates (even if somebody had been scribbling on them before uploading them … why?!), and looking through them, it seems the only difference between “early” and “late” here appears to be some of the fittings on the right side wall of the turret, as your picture shows. Not sure what part K45 is, so I can’t say when it would have been introduced either. I suspect @KurtLaughlin may know the answer to that question, though 
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K45 is an intercom box. Not sure of the exact introduction date of the box and it’s associated slip connections.
I did some research and found 3 different variants of the intercom box… i just can’t find any info when they were put in use
https://www.theshermantank.com/sherman/turrets-the-are-the-combat-power-of-the-tank/
https://www.theshermantank.com/tag/tank-interior/
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Kit part K45 is the Turret Control Box, part of the stabilizer system. It was was there from the get-go. The particulars of the box details likely changed with changes to the stabilizer system. It was its own subsystem, and changed independent of what was going on with the tank (paperwork-wise).
I can’t divine out what they are meaning by early and late, however there were differences in placement details between M4A1, M4A2, and M4A3 tanks, and between D82081 and 7054366 turrets. Sorting all that out from the limited information available is not easy. More than once a model difference (e.g. M4A4 vs. M4) was included as an evolutionary difference in designing a kit.
With regard to modern day interior appearances, remember that after the war there was a program to cannibalize the existing inventory to make as many M4A3(76) HVSS tanks as possible. The extent to which the model differences were carried over rather than reworked to the M4A3(76) HVSS production pattern is unknown. Note that surviving tanks with these changes (such as, and if they occurred) were official Ordnance practices, not restoration lash-ups.
The interphone boxes are the smaller paired pieces higher up on the turret wall, kit parts W26/K49.
KL
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I looked through my SNL (parts manual) excerpts of various editions for 76mm tanks and found that the Turret Control Box was always mounted (only the welded-on brackets are shown in the SNL) either in a far forward (Fwd) or centrally-located (Ctr) position on the right. Here’s how it worked out in the SNL illustrations:
M4A3, Jun 44, Fwd
M4A1, May 45, Ctr
M4A3, Nov 45, Fwd
M4A3, Jun 52, Ctr
M4A1, Feb 53, Ctr
One might be able to say that it should be forward on “early” tanks and central on “late” tanks, but what that means and whether the two turret casting styles play into it is unknown.
KL
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Thanks for the info!! I looked up both versions of the turret and it seems like the only difference between the 2 is the loaders hatch changed from a double hatch to a single. With the info that you just provided me with, i think I’m gonna go with the turret control mounted forward
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For a tank with an oval loader hatch turret, which is what this RFM kit is, I would have gone the other way, but that’s me.
KL
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im curious why you would have the turret control mounted center. im not saying your wrong or anything like that. i did some research and based on this website Sherman 76mm turrets
the 704366 turrets started to appear on m4a3’s in October 1944… so if I were to create this tank during the spring of 1945 i would go with the controls forward mounted… right?
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My thinking is that from the limited SNL information the early tanks had it forward and later tanks had it in the center. (This was how RFM has labeled it, but I would view this situation as one where the model labels conform with the existing documentation, not one where the model companies got it right on their own, if you see the distinction.) I look at this subject (oval loader’s hatch, HVSS) as a “later” tank rather than an “earlier” tank. Arguably a forward position is just as reasonable.
About the only configuration that I would say is doubtful would be a circular loader’s hatch turret with the box in the center position, and even it could be right if the boxes were moved when the these turrets were used for postwar modifications; we just don’t know.
You posted interior shots earlier. What tanks are these from? How do their production dates jive up with the date you plan for your model?
KL
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after lookinf further into it, i honestly think both options can be correct…i guess its just down to what looks “cooler” hahaha. I posted the links to where I found the pictures online where it gives better descriptions the photos. I really appreciate the info you provided!
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Your interior looks excellent.
Cheers,
Ralph
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Thanks!
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It’s looking amazing! Beautiful work on that interior!
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worldwarphotos.info is a place to start your research. . .
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Based on your user name i gotta be doing something right haha
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Sorry for the lack of updates and communications… life took an unexpected turn and an moving to a different state… i can’t continue this project cause i kinda lost the entire box (sprues included)…. Hopefully in a month when everything gets unpacked it will show up… until then this project will be on hold.
If anybody is looking for and apartment in West Haven, CT pm me hahaha
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