| This
turret is intended to be used on any late version Sherman
hull to make the 76mm-armed version of this famous tank.
I believe it was designed to fit the Italeri (ESCI) M4A1
Sherman, but it can theoretically be used on any of the
Sherman kits available today, with some modification to
the respective turret rings. There is a cast steel
texture to the turret surface, the commander's hatch is
molded open, and the .50cal MG is much nicer than the
ESCI machinegun (though not as nice as Dragon's). The
loader's hatch is unfortunately molded closed, and like
several resin replacement turrets from other companies,
the hatch sits above the roof, when in fact it should be
flush with the roof when closed. It appears as though this piece may have
been based on the Hasegawa turret, but if so, it has been
heavily modified. The turret roof behind the gun mantlet
has been improved as have the turret sides, though the
cheeks may need to be sloped just a little bit more. The
bustle is a bit too wide, though it should be easy to
narrow it down some with a grinder. In profile view, the
turret appears flattened, which will be very difficult to
correct. I really like the casting numbers on the turret
roof. The two pieces pictured in the scan on their
molding block below the gun barrel are the machinegun
storage brackets for the turret rear.
Thanks to Alain
Levesque of Leva Productions for this review sample.
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