M4A1(75) Sherman HVSS
ROCO 1:87 Scale Vehicle Review
The ROCO model of the M4A1(75) Sherman HVSS is a strange hybrid of different variants of the standard US medium tank. The cast upper hull and the straight armour plate at the rear identify the model as a late M4A1, but the grilles on the engine cover come from an M4A3 Sherman. The HVSS running gear, introduced in 1944, belongs to the M4A1E8 Sherman, which was actually armed with the more powerful 76 mm gun in a T-23 tank turret. Instead, the ROCO model has an early “high bustle” cast turret with a 75 mm gun, which has been retrofitted with a new commander‘s vision cupola and the oval turret hatch for the loader. Experienced modelers might want to return ROCO‘s M4A1 to its 1942 variant with VVSS vertical volute spring suspension, or convert its turret to a T-23 tank turret and use the model as an M4A1E8, which in this configuration also served as the Super Sherman M1 of the Israel Defense Force.
Contents
- M4A1(75) Sherman HVSS
- .50 Cal. M2 HB Browning AA Machine Gun
Evaluation
The M4A1 Sherman is a snap-together model with only nine parts. The hull and chassis are held together by large lugs that are clearly visible from the front and rear. Modellers will remove the lugs, glue the tank together neatly, and fill the holes in the tank hull with filler. Filler wax or “Green Stuff” are very suitable for this.
ROCO‘s M4A1 Sherman is approximately 40 cm shorter than it should be in 1:87 scale. The width is ok, but the height is 1:90 scale.
The old ROCO model of the M4A1 Sherman appears to be based on an upgraded M4A1E8 HVSS Sherman, whose turret has been given the new commander‘s vision cupola and an oval loader‘s hatch. The Sherman with Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS) received its baptism of fire in December 1944 and continued to serve in many armies around the world after World War II. The ROCO model may be best suited as an M4A1E8, but it lacks the T-23 tank turret with 76 mm gun. A conversion is possible, but requires a lot of effort: a counterweight is attached to the turret rear, and the 75 mm gun is replaced by a longer brass tube. For an Israeli Sherman M51 one also needs the typical muzzle brake of the French 105 mm tank gun Modèle F1.
The incorrect engine cover at the rear of the M4A1 Sherman is best hidden under stowed tents, tarpaulins, boxes, fuel cans, packs and other gear. Flat pinheads, set in 0.5 mm holes, serve as armoured gasoline tank caps. The gun mantlet is drilled through to the left of the gun and fitted with a .30 Browning M1919A4 machine gun made of 0.6 mm piano wire. A small plastic bead, glued into the recess in front of the radio operator‘s seat, serves as the mantlet for the second .30 Browning M1919A4 machine gun. The missing ammunition box of the .50 Cal. Browning M2 machine gun on the turret roof can be scratch-build from a section of rectangular polystyrene.
The lifting eyes on the turret and hull can be made of brass or copper wire and glued into the corresponding holes. For wargame models, it is sufficient to represent the missing shell ejection flap on the left side of the turret using a small, square piece of polystyrene. The headlights on the bow and taillights on the rear of the hull are made from narrow sections of a 1 mm polystyrene rod that have been filed round at the back. Grey sewing thread, coated with varnish, is laid as a tow rope from the rear across the hull to the bow of the tank, and secured with shackles made of thin polystyrene.
Noticeable mould lines on the gun barrel must be removed prior to painting. It is also recommended to open the gun barrel with a 0.8 mm micro drill.
Little plastic wheels are attached to the bottom of the hull, which allow the toy tank to roll across carpeted floors. On smooth surfaces, however, the M4A1 Sherman appears to be floating, as the tank tracks do not touch the ground. The plastic clip, which holds the axles in place, can be easily removed. Once the axle trees are cut off, the holes may be closed with small rectangles of 0.25 mm polystyrene sheet from a yogurt cup.
Compatible with HO scale model railway equipment and miniatures by Märklin, ROCO, Faller, Pola, Preiser, and Noch.
Possible Conversions
- Sherman M4A1E8(76)W HVSS with T-23 Turret
- Israeli Super Sherman M1 with T-23 Turret
- Israeli Sherman M51 with French 105 mm Gun Modèle F1
The M4A1 Sherman from ROCO is a practically useless hybrid, mating the modern HVSS chassis with an older 75 mm turret. In view of the many other defects, an expensive and complex repair is hardly an option for model makers and collectors. Wargamers might conveniently overlook the 1944 vintage HVSS and use the ROCO model as an earlier M4A1 Sherman of 1942.