I had the exact same reaction when I got mine last Saturday, I was going to start it right away but I was too busy then on Sunday I caught some kind of flu/stomach bug and I’ve been sick for almost 5 days! I’m feeling better this morning but man that thing knocked me out, between the vomiting, headache, nausea, and everything else…tests came back negative for covid but doc said there’s some kind of weird flu going around…
I might get started on the suspension today if I continue to feel better…anyways I found this image on Andy’s EU store of the one he built in the video I posted above. I’m assuming he took this photo in his store, here it is in case you guys need any inspiration to start building
It’s funny you mentioned Tamiya, I believe this kit was inspired by the Tamiya M4A3E8 released in 2015 (kit #35346). It has the exact same combination of early and late features as the Tamiya kit, the late turret with oval loaders hatch but the earlier T-66 track and early sprockets and also with the early engine deck layout. There are pictures of WW2 E8s that combined these same features but many of the early M4A3E8s that had T-66 tracks with early sprockets and early engine deck also featured the early split hatch turret and the gun with no muzzle brake and a instead a thread protector on the end of the barrel…
No, you can still buy one for $139.99 from Andy’s store, I was charged $10 fee for shipping so it came out to $149.99…considering it comes with a metal barrel and a gun details inside the turret, it’s a really good deal IMO…the original ILK version is a lot more expensive (like $249?) but it does come with more photo etch stuff too…
EDIT:
OMG, they sold out! Andy thought their supply would last until the end of October but I guess not, holy cow!!! They sold out in 7 days, WOW!
Wow…I ordered one yesterday…I must have gotten one of the last ones…I would not have ordered one…if it was not the announcement of the Tiger, to go along with it.
I guess the demand was pretty high on this kit, I thought Andy was exaggerating when he said he’d gotten a ton of pre-orders…no plastic Shermans had been kitted in 1/16 scale before this year, which didn’t make sense to me, now we see that the market was hungry for these tanks…
i thought I heard him say that the first batch was going through him, but would eventually be in other hobby stores also? Maybe have some patience before paying $300.00 for it.
I must have been really lucky, I just received an E mail that the 2nd. one I ordered has shipped.
WOOOO HOOO Love them shermans.
Now for some earlier ones with the V V SS suspension, can you say Firefly ?
When I asked Andy via email if this was a one time deal he said no, he told me he would be making more Shermans if this one sold well…
It’ll be interesting to see what Sherman they’ll make next but companies like to use existing sprues a lot so I’m guessing it’ll probably be some kind of M4A3 with the T-23 turret…I’d much rather they made a firely myself but there would be literally no sprues they could reuse outside of the 50 cal….
At least with an M4A1E8 they could reuse the suspension and all the turret related sprues…the WW2 connection is very thin for the M4A1E8…post war the French used them, the US (national guard?) reserve units used them and then later the French sold many to the IDF and they used it under the name “M1 super sherman”
I wonder if Andy intends to go postwar or if he’ll stick to WW2 stuff, he made mention that more WW2 allied stuff was needed so his next kit might not even be a Sherman, it could be a tank destroyer like an M10 or a Hellcat…Sounds like these sold well and I’m certain the Tiger will too…so this time next year he might have another Allied vehicle coming out…I would piss myself if it was a 21/2 ton truck
Takom did make a jeep already so there’s always hope, but this is the AFV section so yeah, I’d be happy with pretty much anything that saw a service in WW2, preferably a LOT of service, but strange ducks are welcome too (here’s looking at you Jumbo)…
Most likely not the same tank. Duffel bags were a common stowage item and the spare wheels, while maybe not common, were not rare. The give away is the difference in markings. The left hand side view does not have the bars in the star, nor the dot typical for the unit.
