Tamiya 35190 - 1:35 M4 Sherman Early

1:35 plastic model kit of the American M4 Sherman medium tank, early production

The Sherman won its war through numbers, reliability and the ability to be repaired in the field – and its early examples, with the three-piece transmission cover and spoked road wheels, have a particular charm today. Tamiya 35190 reproduces exactly this variant of the M4 in 1:35 scale, in a 1995 release.

The kit received new parts specific to early production: upper hull, turret, three-piece transmission cover, spoked road wheels and tracks. The armament is the 75 mm gun in the turret, and the shape captures the tall silhouette imposed by the radial engine. One figure and two busts are included, allowing the crew hatches to be manned.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and equipment parts
• New early-version parts: upper hull, turret, three-piece transmission cover, spoked road wheels
• Belt-type tracks, joined with cement
• One figure and two crew busts
• Waterslide decal sheet for 3 marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35190
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model length: approx. 167 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Note: This kit does not include cement, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The model goes together quickly and without complications – the parts fit well and the parts count is moderate, which makes this a good first Sherman for any collection. The three-piece transmission cover deserves careful fitting and smoothing of the joints, as it is highly visible at the front of the vehicle. Painting the road wheels before mounting them on the suspension bogies is worth considering.

All options are finished in a uniform olive drab (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab); the instructions give paint codes for each scheme. Applying decals over a gloss coat is recommended to reduce silvering, and a matt varnish suits the final finish. A light wash will bring out the rivets, hatches and weld seams, while pigments can suggest the dust of Italian or French roads. To take the detail further you may want to consider the Tamiya 35191 brass shells – a standalone product sold separately and not included in this kit.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M4 Sherman:

The M4 Sherman was the standard Allied medium tank of the Second World War. It had neither the thickest armour nor the most powerful gun – its strength lay elsewhere: in ease of production, reliability, field repairability and the sheer number built, counted in the tens of thousands.

Early M4s carried the 75 mm M3 gun, effective against German tanks of the first half of the war and excellent in the infantry support role thanks to its high-explosive rounds. Power came from the Continental R975 radial engine, derived from an aircraft design – hence the tank’s tall profile. Early production is recognisable by the bolted three-piece transmission cover and the spoked road wheels.

Shermans fought on every front: North Africa, Italy, Normandy and Western Europe, as well as the Pacific, and served with Allied armies including the Polish forces in the West. Their versatility made them the basis for dozens of specialised variants.

Original vehicle specifications (M4 Sherman, early production):

• Length: approx. 5.84 m
• Width: approx. 2.62 m
• Height: approx. 2.74 m
• Combat weight: approx. 30 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 75 mm M3 gun
• Powerplant: Continental R975 radial engine, 400 hp
• Top speed: approx. 39 km/h (road)
• Range: approx. 190 km
• Production: the standard Allied tank of the Second World War, built in the tens of thousands

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company originally traded in timber and moved on to wooden models in the late 1940s. Its first plastic model kit appeared in 1960, and two years later came its first 1:35 tank – the scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, outstanding parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, runs to hundreds of releases covering vehicles, artillery and figures from around the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, cements, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.