Zero knowledge on Sherman’s, guessing it’s a HVSS, maybe Korean War era. Wanted to share as the Sherman clearly wanted its picture taken.
Where is this?
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Indianapolis, Fort Harrison VFW #7119.
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as many times as I’ve been up there; I’ve never noticed. Probably came out of Indiana National Guard stocks as it’s very similar to the two down in Atteberry.
gary
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Indiana has lots of M4A1s.
I guess it’s the same reason that MN has lots of Ford M4A3s.
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It’s tough to see it in such a sorry state. A couple of years ago a group of armor enthusiasts redid an M4A3 76mm HVSS in front of an American Legion post in Wolcott, CT. They did a great job, correct paint and markings. Maybe Indiana has such a group.
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This tank is actually in good shape if you ignore the paint. If it were sand blasted and repainted, it would be impressive. When my old unit brought back a T62 it sat and rusted for 4 years and looked quite sad. I talked to the CO and got permission to fix the problem. I disassembled all I could from the exterior. We rented a sandblaster and stripped most of the paint. I got an automotive primer and painted the entire tank. I went and bought paint (a tint from International Harvester if I recall) that matched the shade of sand that was on the tank when we got it. I taped off and repainted the tank. I reassembled everything as it had been. I had made stencils of all of the previous markings and painted them on. The tank looked parade ready with the exception of the rusty track. When I left the unit it still looked pristine. Took about a week and I actually used a lot of skills I cultivated from modeling.
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The M4A1E8, aka M4A1 76mm HVSS. It could be one of the ones that rolled off the production line too late to see combat, or a postwar rebuild where the muzzle brake and HVSS suspension were added. Interesting that it has the early T66 single pin tracks. It is indeed in pretty good condition aside from the paint.
First Sergeant says he needs a detail 
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Legion posts as a rule tend to have a larger cash flow and a younger clientele making it easier to get things done. VFW posts are usually much older age wise, and also a smaller cash flow due to membership restrictions. My VFW post at one time had an M114 howitzer lined up, and I told them I’d see that it was looking almost new. The barrel was needing work, but knew how and where to get that fixed. Removing the barrel would have been a job. and even worse going back together. The Legion post south of me has an F5 fighter jet out front, and it really needs paint. Right now we kinda got our eyes on an intact OV-1, but have no idea how we’d move it. It too needs paint as it’s got some kinda weird camo paint job
gary
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No M4A1s were modified to add HVSS. All M4A1(76) HVSS tanks were built with muzzle brakes.
KL
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What would the best 1/35 scale kit(s) be to model this specific VFW Sherman be?
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Maybe start with this kit
and then use one of the Aftermarket HVSS sets to replace the kit suspension… perhaps Asuka or AFV Club
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It looks to be an M4A1(76)W w/HVSS. To my knowledge, there is no kit of this.
The above would do with HVSS added. The IDF M51 Sherman is also close but would need a backdated turret and gun. The IDF M50 would be close as well but would also need a backdated turret/gun added.
Is there really no out of the box M4A1(76)W w/HVSS???
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Nope - at least not in 1:35.
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Thwnk you.
In Sherman speak, would this be a M4A1E8?
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It is a fairly easy conversion to do using Auska/Tasca parts from their web site. You can get some sprues for as little as $3.00 and shipping from Japan is pretty cheap too.
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Asuka sells a host of M4a1 Shermans, but the problem is the turret (do they sell an M4a1/76?). Somebody does the tracks, but don’t remember.
gary
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I agree it is easy to piece together. I’m just surprised there is no kit of it.
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Yes it will work. Now just get some single pin T66 tracks and you’ll have all you need for the basic project.
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