Tamiya 35346 1/35 U.S. Medium Tank M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight European Theatre

An Easy Ride

The U.S. M4 Sherman tank was undoubtedly one of the symbols of WWII, deployed in great quantities and numerous variants to counter the potent threat of German armor. One such variant was the M4A3E8, which was one of the final Sherman types and thus had the benefit of design improvements developed from experience in battle. These included a hardy welded late production hull, plus the welcome addition of the 76mm main gun. It was also fitted with new Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS), and wider tracks, making for the significantly more comfortable ride that led to the M4A3E8's nickname of "Easy Eight." They were thrown into their maiden operation in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 as part of the 4th Armored Division under General Patton's overall command, contributing to the relief of the besieged town of Bastogne and the eventual triumph of the Allies in the European Theater.

This is an all-new kit designed by Tamiya’s top designers which recreates the "Easy Eight" variant of the legendary Sherman medium tank. The M4A3E8 was known fondly as the “Easy Eight” by its crews, thanks to the relatively smooth drive afforded by its Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS). Another distinguishing feature was its 76mm gun. Some of the 2,500 examples produced were in time to appear in the Battle of the Bulge (Dec. 1944-Jan. 1945), and others even served in the Korean War years after the Allied WWII triumph. Movie buffs will no doubt also recall that the "Easy Eight" was the star of the 2014 hit film "Fury."

The Tamiya-Designed M4A3E8 Key Features

• Slide molded turret and upper hull parts give an unbeatable combination of hassle-free assembly and highly realistic detail levels. Cast metal turret and welded hull surface textures are rendered accurately.
• The rear showcases sharp, detailed molding on engine grilles and exhausts, as well as the numerous accessories depicted by the kit.
• Clear parts are used to recreate light lens and cupola vision block parts, further upping the realism of this kit.
• The single-pin T66 tracks are recreated with minimum fuss and great accuracy, by the included belt-type tracks. 
• Drive sprockets feature fine holes.
• A commander figure in realistic pose is provided for the cupola. The periscope seen on the hatch underside is depicted using separate parts.

Features

• This is a 1/35 scale plastic model assembly kit. Length: 214mm, width: 86mm.
• Tamiya undertook exhaustive surveys of real M4A3E8s in order to depict its form with great accuracy, including the subtly curved turret surfaces, flat welded hull panels and the HVSS.
• Slide molded parts artfully capture surface textures of cast turret and welded upper hull panels.
• Wide, single-pin T66 tracks are realistically depicted using belt type parts.
• Drive sprockets feature precisely molded holes.
• Engine grille, rear-installed deflector, and tool parts showcase stunning realism.
• Clear parts recreate headlight lenses and cupola vision blocks.
• Features commander torso figure and decals to recreate tanks from 2 units in the European Theater at the end of WWII.