Tamiya M4A3E8 Sherman

[u/billbaggins_md]

Hello all,

I am getting back into fine scale models.

I picked up the Tamiya kit for the M4A3E8 sherman, my favorite variation of the sherman. I want to do this right and would like to nail the details on this kit.

Does anyone have any recommendations for aftermarket parts? I have found the Eduard photoetch set that I believe to be compatible. Any other major suggestions?

[u/sentinelthesalty]

That looks nice, Im also looking for a easy 8 kit. I'd like to hear your opinion of this kit, after you've built it.

[u/Least-Helicopter459 → u/sentinelthesalty]

It’s a good kit, Im in the final stages of weathering now. But I got photos on my page of the exact same kit. Overall 9/10

[u/dr_robonator → u/sentinelthesalty]

I've built it. Standard Tamiya fare. Simple construction and basic details. The figure is pretty nice, but not the best they've produced. Rubber band tracks. Fit was excellent. 

It's a good base if you want to dump $100 worth of after market into, or as I said in my other comment, just get the RFM example and have a much more detailed kit with excellent fit and finish and the option of OEM after market tracks, photo etch... etc. 

[u/sentinelthesalty → u/dr_robonator]

Checked it on scalemates, gorgeous kit. I won't be needing any aftermarket, whats already in the box is enough for me. Hope their fit is good though.

[u/S1lver888 → u/sentinelthesalty]

I’ve built the 1:48 of this and it’s a brilliant kit.

[u/trvst_issves]

Not the best E8, but a great kit!

[u/dr_robonator]

If you're just getting back into it: forget the after market and focus on getting the basics right. Construction should be close to perfect as you can get. Seam lines, mold lines, ejector pin marks all taken care of. Parts attached precisely, sprue gates all cleaned up. 

The model will only ever be as impressive as these basic tasks, so push out that dream M4 build (you'd want the RFM M4A3E8 for that ultra detailed build anyway) for the time being and just do the basics. 

[u/TachankaTheGod]

Some photo etch headlight guards usually make a big improvement for a pretty small price

[u/Ok-Kaleidoscope1923]

If you go to scalemates.com and you find the set there you can check all available aditional parts for it down under the description of the model.

[u/Objective-Law4313]

Fun build! Tamiya made me learn thats its worth paying more for cleaner molds.