'Threads'

A Discussion on the topic of
The Canadian Sherman II
source:  Missing Links  (thanks to Andrew for permission)

Special Thanks to Gary Barling, member C#0014, of Petawawa and IPMS Ottawa for gathering this material for the webpage

I would like to build a Canadian Sherman II (M4A1). I know the GG's (God’s Gift to Homely Girls, better known as the Gov General’s Horse Guards) had some but I could use a bit more info on markings and other Regiments that may have used them

Gord
WhiskeyJack Productions

Canadian Shermans.....                                                                 
October 31 2002
Markings for the GGHG would be a '45' in white superimposed on a green/blue field, divided horizontally. The formation sign would be 5th Canadian Armoured Division, a gold leaf on a maroon field.
Tac signs would probably be in white (?).
Check with Ultracast, there may be a set of GGHG decals already available.
Canadian Sherman 105mm were all Sherman Ib. Each regiment in 5th Canadian Armoured Brigade had 8 tanks, which were assigned to Squadron Headquarters.
Pictures are very hard to come by. In my upcoming book 'The Sherman in Canadian Service' there is a rear view of two, only identifiable by a glimpse of the oval section loaders hatch.

Steve Guthrie 

Sherman 105's
November 1 2002
So to actually build a Canadian 105 would the Tamiya early Sherman be the best starting point? Is that the right hull, or should I use the MP or Kirin update hulls?
Decals aren't a problem. I have started to produce armour sheets and wanted to do some more Italian theatre armour as it is so much more colourful.
Paul Roberts has the first three sheets.

Gordon Parker 

Sherman 105 Source                                                                   
November 1 2002
Tamiya Early M4 is the wrong hull but their M4A3 Sherman 105mm Howitzer Kit No.35251 would be a good starting point, as it has the big-hatch 47-degree hull front and a 105mm turret and gun, it would need to be converted with an M4 engine deck, exhausts etc which could come from one of several Tamiya or Italeri kits or a resin update set

Peter Brown 

ABM the way to go... 
November 1 2002
Hi, you really can't go wrong with the Sherman 1B conversion from Armoured Brigade Models. Beautiful casting and details, just pop on the correct lower hull of your choice (I used the Italeri M4A1 ) add some PE (I used Aber's outstanding and slightly insane sheets ) and paint.
I have seen 2 photos of Sherman 1B's of the 8th Hussars being loaded for shipment from Italy to NWE in '45, i think it was in the Hussar's Regimental history book (which I saw at the library here in Vancouver)
check out Andrew Dextras's great Sherman 1B in the WW2 British model gallery!

Richard Minichiello 

Sherman Ib
November 2 2002
ABM is hard to come by. It's a combo TWS 105 turret and correct hull for M4 105mm.
Or you can convert the new Tamiya M4A3 105. Changes to engine deck, rear bulkhead -- some other items.

Roy Chow

Thanks, anybody got a photo?
November 2 2002
I already have the TW turret and very nice it is.
I have been going through Barry Beldam's drawings in RT and he does indeed show the GG's IB with the 47 deg hull and all around vision cupola.
He also shows a IIB (also with all around vision cupola) named Cyclops with the 3RR and has the details directly from the Gunner, Mr. Vern Dowie.
The more I get into this the less I know

Gordon Parker

No Sherman IIb's in Cdn. service. n/t
November 2 2002

Don Dingwall

A Conversion On the Cheap -- if your parts box is big!
November 3 2002
What I did for a New Zealand Sherman 1b was to use the components from the following kits:
- Hull and suspension -- Italeri Sherman US Marines
This has the advantage of having the upper hull scribed for cutting and having the M4 lower rear hull parts included.
- Turret -- DML Sherman 1c -- late turret for flamethrower version. The outside ring fits the Italeri hull perfectly.
- Gun mount, gun tube, and mantlet -- Tamiya M4A3 105 kit
You have to shim the mount to get a tight fit, but otherwise it works.
- Three-bar cleat tracks -- AFV Club (OK, they are the rubber-band type, but I build for fun.)
Photos in Jeff Plowman's book suggests that these tanks had the vision cupola, so use the one of your choice.
- For the engine deck plates, I used the Tamiya M4 deck plates adding a fuel filler cap from the Academy sprues (although an old DML one might have been better) and making the splash guard around it from sheet styrene.

I built two of these while I was at it: one for the NZed's and one for the US Army in Italy. I have not yet decided how to mark the US one. A fun project that looks pretty good too.

Bob Potter