Tamiya 35346 - 1:35 US Tank M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight

Plastic model kit of the US M4A3E8 Sherman "Easy Eight" medium tank in 1:35 scale

Wide tracks, a heavier gun and HVSS suspension — the M4A3E8 fixed the very things tankers had complained about throughout the war. Tamiya 35346 depicts this version using entirely new tooling from 2015.

The model captures the broad, low-slung stance of the "Easy Eight", with its elaborate HVSS running gear in which the road wheels are paired on either side of each bogie. Hull and turret are built from very well-fitting parts, as one expects from modern Tamiya tooling.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, turret and running gear parts
• Vinyl band tracks
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35346
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 215 mm (gun forward)
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

The 2015 tooling means a clear parts breakdown and excellent fit — a kit that can safely be recommended to anyone starting out with armour. The HVSS suspension deserves the most attention: aligning the bogies carefully determines whether the finished model sits level on all its wheels. The vinyl band tracks close out the running gear quickly.

For painting, the uniform olive drab of US vehicles is recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab). A single-colour finish invites panel lightening and a wash to bring out the detail. Applying decals over a gloss coat helps to avoid decal silvering, with a matt varnish as the final finish. Pigments on the tracks and lower hull capture the look of a front-line tank.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out details and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M4A3E8 Sherman "Easy Eight":

The Sherman was the most widely produced American tank of the Second World War, but its early versions were outgunned by their German opponents and rode on narrow tracks that bogged down in mud and snow. The M4A3E8 addressed both problems.

The new 76 mm M1A1 gun markedly improved its ability to fight enemy tanks, while HVSS suspension with wide tracks greatly improved mobility over difficult ground and made for a smoother ride. Power came from a 500 hp Ford GAA V8; the roughly 33-tonne tank was operated by a crew of five. The nickname "Easy Eight" derives from the E8 designation.

The M4A3E8 was the last and most refined wartime Sherman. Tanks of this type fought in the final phase of the campaign in Western Europe and later, in the 1950s, in the Korean War, where they proved effective against Soviet-built T-34-85s.

Original vehicle specifications (M4A3E8 Sherman):

• Combat weight: approx. 33 t
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 76 mm M1A1 gun
• Powerplant: Ford GAA V8, 500 hp
• Suspension: HVSS with wide tracks
• Service: the final phase of fighting in Western Europe, later the Korean War

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. It began in the timber trade and wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the scale as the worldwide standard for military modelling. The brand is known for exceptionally precise tooling and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. In recent years Tamiya has systematically revisited classic subjects such as the Sherman and the Panther, developing them from scratch on new tooling. Alongside plastic kits the company offers a full range of paints, cements, tools and brushes. It is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.