Pre-order - Rye Field Model 5162 - 1:35 M4A3 76W HVSS Sherman Full Interior / Clear Version

Pre-order item! Your order will be fulfilled once the manufacturer releases the model. Estimated availability: late September 2026. The delivery date is approximate and subject to change for reasons beyond our control.

Plastic Model Kit of the M4A3 76W HVSS Sherman Tank with Full Interior – Clear Version in 1:35 Scale

Rye Field Model 5162 is an exceptional self-assembly kit representing one of the most refined Sherman variants — the M4A3 76(W) HVSS, a late-production version equipped with a 76 mm gun, wet ammunition stowage, and HVSS suspension. What makes this kit particularly special is the Clear edition: the set includes transparent upper hull and turret parts that allow the richly detailed interior of the vehicle to be fully displayed.

The model is intended for advanced modelers planning an impressive display build. It allows the vehicle to be assembled with the complete interior visible through transparent armor plates — from the Ford GAA engine at the rear of the hull, through the fighting compartment with crew positions and ammunition racks, to the turret interior with the gun mechanism, aiming equipment, and radio set. Alternatively, the modeler may build the vehicle in a traditional opaque configuration.

Inside the box you will find:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret, HVSS suspension, and equipment parts
• Full interior: Ford GAA engine, fighting compartment, turret interior, ammunition stowage
• Transparent hull and turret parts (Clear version) as an alternative to standard armor plates
• Working individual-link tracks (T-66 type)
• Photo-etched parts sheet
• Water-slide decals for several marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model technical details:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalog number: 5162
• Manufacturer: Rye Field Model
• Completed model length: approx. 175 mm
• Difficulty level: advanced

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints, or modeling tools. The model requires assembly and painting.

Building the model:

Due to the extensive interior and transparent components, the kit requires careful planning of the painting and assembly sequence. It is recommended to paint all interior components — engine, fighting compartment walls, turret interior, and ammunition racks — before final hull assembly. Some interior sections will remain visible only through the transparent armor panels, making careful finishing essential for the final presentation.

For painting the M4A3, standard World War II US Army colors are recommended — Olive Drab (for example Tamiya XF-62 or equivalents from AK Real Colors and Mig Ammo ranges) as the primary exterior color, with off-white or cream shades for the interior. A matte varnish works best for the outer surfaces, while a satin finish is recommended for the interior to better reproduce the appearance of a used combat vehicle. To highlight the engine, turret interior, and ammunition racks, washes and dry-brushing techniques are highly recommended.

Essential tools:

• Model sprue cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Modeling knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing mold attachment points
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched parts
• Precision modeling tweezers
• Paint brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Modeling wash for highlighting details
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M4A3 76W HVSS Sherman:

The M4A3 was an American variant of the M4 Sherman medium tank powered by the Ford GAA engine — a V8 gasoline engine originally designed for aircraft use, producing approximately 500 horsepower. This powerplant provided significantly better performance compared to earlier Sherman engine variants and remained the primary engine used in American Shermans until the end of the war and into the postwar period.

The designation M4A3 76(W) refers to a vehicle armed with a 76 mm gun (M1A1, M1A2, or M1A1C) instead of the earlier 75 mm gun. The introduction of the more powerful weapon significantly improved the Sherman’s anti-tank capabilities, enabling it to engage German medium tanks more effectively. The letter “W” stands for wet ammunition stowage — ammunition was stored in special compartments filled with a water-glycol mixture, greatly reducing the risk of fire and ammunition detonation after penetration.

The abbreviation HVSS stands for Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension — a newer and improved suspension system using horizontally mounted volute springs. Compared to the earlier VVSS suspension, it provided smoother operation over rough terrain and allowed the use of wider T-66 or T-80 tracks, which distributed the vehicle’s weight more effectively and improved traction in mud and snow. M4A3 76(W) HVSS tanks entered service near the end of World War II and later served during the Korean War and in numerous allied armies during the postwar era.

Technical data of the original vehicle (M4A3 76W HVSS):

• Length: 6.27 m (with gun)
• Width: 3.0 m
• Height: 2.97 m
• Combat weight: approx. 33.4 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 76 mm M1A1/M1A2 gun
• Secondary armament: Browning 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns
• Engine: Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine, approx. 500 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 42 km/h
• Suspension: HVSS (Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension), T-66 tracks
• Armor: up to 76 mm (hull front), 89 mm (turret front)

About the manufacturer – Rye Field Model:

Rye Field Model is a Chinese manufacturer of 1:35 scale plastic model kits, active since 2016 and specializing primarily in armored vehicles — especially World War II tanks and post-war Western armored vehicles. The company quickly gained recognition among modelers thanks to its highly detailed tooling, optional interior components, and working individual-link tracks. Rye Field Model kits are also known for extensive photo-etched parts sheets and carefully designed assembly options that allow several subvariants of the same vehicle to be built from a single kit. Today, the brand is regarded alongside companies such as Meng, Border Model, and Takom as one of the leaders of the modern armored modeling market. Full interior editions and Clear versions have become a recognizable hallmark of Rye Field Model’s lineup, allowing modelers to create impressive display pieces showcasing both the external appearance and internal structure of the vehicle.