Help needed for correcting Dragon's M4a2

[ignoramusRex]

Hi, I am trying to correct a model of M4a2 I have built some 10 years ago, following strictly the manual.
I have attached how the model is now and the vehicle irl.
Can some of you confirm what I need to change?

1. The turret is of late type with the small loader’s hatch judging by the turret mg angle. Need to add the mg barrel holder.
2. The wheels and idler need to be changed to the 6 ribbed solid type.
3. The sprocket seems also correct.
4. Need to add t-54 tracks.
5. Replace the telephone box on the back with track holders.
   Anything else? Thanks in advance
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

[Jakko]

1. Correct, though your pintle mount looks like it’s about twice the height it should be.
2. No, the real 154 had spoked roadwheels, like on your model. (There is a much clearer version of this photo on page 616 of Son of Sherman second edition, which shows them well.)
3. You need the sprocket ring with a round hole in the middle, not the notched type.
4. T54E1 tracks.
5. Most likely, yes.

Anything else?

Yes:

• Move the lifting eyes on the glacis so they’re almost on the edge of the plate.
• Add mirror mountings just above the lifting eyes (in their new position, that is).
• The hinges for the gun travel lock are much too close to the glacis. They need to be raised a little so the travel lock lies clear of the glacis instead of flat on it.
• Remove the spotlight on the turret roof, but leave the rod it’s attached to.
• Add a tow cable, stowed as it should be along the left of the hull.
• Add a plank between the front mudguards, with a notch in it for the tow cable.
• Add T-shaped tow shackles to front and rear.

Oh, and you probably want to paint big fuel stains to both sides of the hull, below the filler caps

[ignoramusRex]

Thank a lot. do you know where I could source that type of sprockets? Is this it 1/35: Sherman early "fancy style" drive sprocket ?

[ignoramusRex]

Also the bogeys should have the raised return roller instead the straight one on my model?

[Jakko]

Every Italeri kit includes both styles of sprocket ring, and many Dragon ones do, too. Where in the world are you, BTW? Because I’m certain I’ve got a lot of them left over, and could easily put some in the mail to you, though that would probably get expensive if it has to go outside the EU.

I missed the bogies, but yes, they should be raised. One thing you could do is buy the cheapest Italeri kit with Sherman suspension that you can find, then build its bogies (and use its sprocket rings) to replace the ones your model has now.

[ignoramusRex]

I still have the original box and the leftover parts so will go back to them. Thanks for the offer.

[Jakko]

Every Dragon Sherman kit has a ton of parts left over, so if you still have it, chances are you’ll find some usable stuff in it.

Looking at the instructions for this kit on Scalemates, I see it came with the bogies with raised return roller arms, but not the right sprocket rings. I kind of doubt you would be able to disassemble the bogies and fit the right ones, though.

[ignoramusRex]

I have remove by know the bogeys and I found the appriate sprocket ring. Tanks again.
What would be easy place to find t shackles? I.have an Asuka Easy eight but maybe need those

[Jakko]

I wish I knew of a good source for shackles You can probably get them for 3D printing yourself, but, of course, that means you need a 3D printer (which I don’t have, and don’t really want to have either).

[ignoramusRex]

I just found them from elegant models 35190 Hooks with pins set, for US post war tanks, for 2 vehicles - Elefant Corporation Limited | www.elefantcorporation.com | ElefantCorporation.com

[ignoramusRex]

Added most of things… Excepting the mirror mounts and the spare track holder

[barkingdigger]

Looking good! But you need to tie down those spare wheels and track on the edges of the engine deck or they will come off when setting off on road march…