Tamiya 35359 - 1:35 M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight Korean War

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight (Korean War)

The Sherman's career did not end in 1945. The M4A3E8, nicknamed Easy Eight, with its HVSS suspension and wide tracks, saw action on the Korean peninsula, where American crews faced Soviet-built T-34/85 tanks operated by the North Korean army.

Tamiya 35359 is a 2018 release based on the 2015 tooling (kit 35346) and supplemented with around 80 new parts reflecting the features of Korean War vehicles. An added attraction is the model of the Soviet GAZ-67B field car, which lets you display the equipment of both sides side by side or use it in a diorama.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the M4A3E8 Sherman tank
• Around 80 new parts reflecting Korean War vehicle features
• Plastic parts for the GAZ-67B field car
• Vinyl band tracks
• Waterslide decal sheet for the M4A3E8 tank
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35359
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled tank length: approx. 215 mm
• Assembled GAZ-67B length: approx. 96 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The Sherman is a quick and enjoyable build — the parts fit very well and the vinyl band tracks save the time-consuming assembly of individual links. The GAZ-67B is a small model and makes a pleasant break from the tank; its finer parts are best handled with precision tweezers.

For the Sherman, a US olive drab finish is recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab), with washes to emphasise weld seams, hatches and turret detail. The instructions give the manufacturer's paint codes for the marking options on the decal sheet. Dust and mud on the tracks and lower hull are easily suggested with pigments. A matt varnish suits both models.

Tools required:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to bring out detail
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – M4A3E8 Sherman in the Korean War:

The M4A3E8 was one of the most refined Sherman versions: a Ford GAA engine, a 76 mm gun and modern HVSS suspension with wide tracks that improved ride quality and reduced ground pressure. The nickname Easy Eight comes from the E8 designation.

When the Korean War broke out in 1950, the North Korean army fielded T-34/85 tanks, which made a strong impression on defending units in the first weeks of fighting. The Americans deployed Easy Eight Shermans among others, and in encounters with the T-34/85 they held their own, aided by better crew training, gunsights and ammunition.

The Sherman also proved well suited to Korean terrain: mountainous and criss-crossed by narrow roads and rice paddies. The tanks were used mainly in the infantry support role. Soviet GAZ-67B field cars, common on the North Korean side, complete the picture of the equipment of that war.

Original vehicle specifications (M4A3E8 Sherman):

• Length: approx. 7.54 m (including gun)
• Crew: 5
• Main armament: 76 mm gun
• Suspension: HVSS with wide tracks
• Service: Second World War and the Korean War
• Opponent in Korea: North Korean T-34/85 tanks

Original vehicle specifications (GAZ-67B):

• Length: approx. 3.35 m
• Drive: 4×4
• Role: light field car for liaison and transport duties

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 began in the timber trade and wooden products, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. Two years later came its first 1:35 scale tank — a scale that, thanks to Tamiya, became the worldwide standard for armour modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds, well-thought-out kit engineering and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this kit belongs, comprises hundreds of releases covering vehicles, guns and figures from around the world. Tamiya instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the company's own range. Alongside model kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, cements, putties, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.