Asuka makes the HVSS version.
I would love a HVSS M32.
Edit: See important correction by Kurt L below
Asuka makes the HVSS version.
I would love a HVSS M32.
Edit: See important correction by Kurt L below
Me too. Is one of those vehicle types that don’t get enough love from kit makers.
It would love to see a M4A4 Hulled M32 ARV. Would save a lot of scratch building/kit bashing hassle for “Contented Cow”
Unless someone tells me there is some serious problem with one or both of these models, I want them.
If the people at Takom put these together in a single box for cheaps, like the Tigers, and accuracy is good, they are sure to come home.
I do not like complicated suspensions that move because my models always sit flat.
Solid plastic tracks are a big plus. The design of the tracks is an even bigger plus.
Stowage items that come with recent Takom models are a nice addition and value.
For me, the Takom T57 and T58 models still have priority. I hope those also come in a Big Box for cheaps.
Border Model better up their game.
There was a model manufacturer Sherman War back around 2010. Hoping for Sherman War II.
Asuka’s have that, though without actually working springs:
Of course, because of the fixed shock absorber, this suspension only allows movement where one wheel goes up and the other goes down, so these spring parts are sufficient to allow that. With a two-part telescoping shock absorber, they would probably look wrong if both wheels are down, and not allow enough movement to have both up — or if they do, they would likely look wrong with the suspension unit on level ground.
Since Meng provides actual, working, metal volute springs in their M4A3 VVSS kits, that would even be an option for these too.
@Jakko
The DML E8 suspension the came out around 2005 required like 29 parts to make one bogie. At first I hated them and then I loved them and thought they were the best thing ever, LOL! that one had springs and everything, wasn’t that one fully workable like on the real thing? I don’t remember now.
There’s no way I’m not getting these. Already told my son with Father’s Day coming up
Is that the one that was also in their M-51 Sherman kit? I built that long ago, and remember being unimpressed by how fragile the suspension was.
The suspension was “okay.” It was the minimal surface at the attachment point that made them suck.
If I remember correctly, the ones from Academy were much more secure.
@Jakko
DML’s Thunderbolt 7, the M4A3 105mm HVSS, and the M-51 kit all had it and there might’ve been others, I don’t remember now. It was fragile and tricky to assemble but reason I started to love it was because I went through a phase of building wrecked and burned out Sherman tanks. The DML suspension could be posed in a multitude of ways. You could model flattened out boggies where the heat had destroyed the integrity of the springs and burned the rubber completely off the wheels etc. You can’t do that kind of stuff without a ton of scratch building on most E8 suspensions. Most folks don’t want to do burned up tanks, so it’s probably not something that appealed to people. Yes, it was fiddly and had a ton of parts but once I learned how to assemble them and saw their full potential I started buying Orange box releases just so I could take the suspensions and use them on other projects.
I used one of those suspensions on an old Italeri kit M4A1 kit and converted it to an M-51 first generation(Degem Alef?), which still had the M-1 engine deck. It represents an old abandoned desert wreck complete with rust and faded paint from exposure to the sun.
I wanted to recreate this
I remember building the M4A3(105) kit and the boogies were a nightmare. Compared to the RFM ones of modern day its amazing to see the progress made in modern kits.
@SableLiger
That’s a fantastic job on your Tamiya M-51! How did recreate the canvas style markings on the tank?
Yes, I’d be surprised if Takom didn’t release their own M-51 version soon after these two get released. They might release multiple versions of the M-51 and with that same hull they can do an M-50 version too.
I used the “canvas” soft panels off the meng Magach 6B Gal Batash. I already bought the loaded bustle rack in resin for the kit, so those were extras, plus i used the marking decals off my spares decal collection (Academy M113 “Zelda” kit).
I used a picture of the Tank Museum’s M51 Sherman as inspitarion.
@SableLiger
From looking at the images that were released, I can tell that Takom is paying attention to detail. Take for instance the 10 or so small support brackets that add support to the main sand shield bracket. This kit will be the first to come with correct parts for the cast hull. Tamiya, DML, and Academy just used the same type of supports from their M4A3E8 kit on their M51s. These guys will come with the round rod ones instead of the stamped steel ones. Also these will feature the standoff in areas where the hull curvature demands that the bracket be spaced out a bit.
I realize some might find these details inconsequential but to me it’s a sign that they’re approaching these vehicles correctly instead of cutting corners.
I noticed that, too! Hats off to Takom.
I have CADded probably the most accurate replica of it on the market at the moment - one of my best sellers. 🪖 1/35 and 1/16 M4A1E8 or early E8 Sherman fender brace・ STL File for 3D printing・Cults
I’d be curious to see how Takom has replicated the support braces.
Even though, these Shermans are not as exciting as let’s say a new M48 or M60 “Slick” from Takom but I’ll purchase both of them when they’re out (maybe after the T. Tariff drama in the US) if the prices are reasonable.
Which is correct for an M-51 that was upgraded with HVSS in Israel. This would be recognisable by there being no holes for sand shields in the vertical sides of the mudguards, and by the sides of the hull between the bogies being roughly bevelled with a cutting torch, instead of neatly at the factory.
I think I could be talked into buying an M1
I already have been, by the little red guy that sits on my left shoulder. I guess I’ll need to start stashing Sherman kits in another closet, the one in my model room is full.