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M4A3E8 sherman easy eight scale 1/35 Rye field model
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Rye Field Model

Rye Field Model 5028 – M4A3E8 Sherman “Easy Eight”

49,50€

– Plastic model kit to build a M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight scale 1/35 by Rye Field Model.

– Scale plastic kit include photo-etch, clear parts and decals

– Model to be assembled and painted. Glue and paint not supplied.

Rupture de stock

SKU: RFM5028 Category:
Description

The Rye Field Model 5028 M4A3E8 Sherman “Easy Eight” is a 1/35 scale model kit of the famed American M4A3E8 Sherman, nicknamed “Easy Eight.” Known for its superior suspension and increased mobility, the “Easy Eight” was one of the most effective Sherman variants and played a crucial role in the final stages of WWII, as well as during the Korean War. Rye Field Model has focused on capturing the technical improvements and unique characteristics of this tank with a high level of detail and accuracy, making it an outstanding choice for modelers interested in Allied armor.

Key Features:

  • Scale: 1/35, perfect for realistic detailing while remaining compatible with other military vehicle kits in dioramas.
  • Detailed HVSS Suspension System: The M4A3E8 Sherman featured the Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension (HVSS), which allowed for smoother travel across rough terrain. Rye Field Model has precisely recreated the HVSS, with accurate bogies, road wheels, and return rollers, enhancing the model’s authenticity.
  • Long-Barreled 76mm Gun: The kit includes the signature long-barreled 76mm M1A2 gun, which was more powerful than the standard Sherman armament. The barrel can be posed at different angles, allowing for flexibility in display.
  • Cast Hull and Turret Details: Rye Field Model accurately represents the cast steel hull and turret textures, including weld seams, casting marks, and rivet details, adding to the realistic look of the Sherman.
  • Photo-Etched (PE) Parts: The kit comes with PE parts for delicate details such as engine grilles, light guards, and other thin components, which increase the model’s level of precision and historical accuracy.
  • Individual Track Links: The model features individual track links, allowing for natural track sag and detailed assembly. This adds realism, especially when posed in diorama scenes.
  • Clear Parts for Optics and Lights: Includes clear plastic parts for periscopes and headlights, enhancing the visual depth and realism of these components.
  • Option for Open or Closed Hatches: Modelers can build the tank with hatches open or closed, providing display flexibility and the potential to add crew figures or show interior details.
  • Stowage Options: The kit includes optional stowage items such as jerry cans, spare track links, tools, and additional gear, allowing modelers to customize the tank and give it a combat-ready appearance.
  • Machine Gun Detail: The .50-caliber machine gun mounted on the turret is finely detailed, complete with ammo box and handle details, adding an extra layer of realism.
  • Multiple Marking Options: The kit includes decals for various units and markings, allowing for customization and historical accuracy to match different theaters of operation.
  • Detailed Instruction Manual: A well-illustrated and clear instruction manual provides step-by-step guidance, making the build process straightforward and enjoyable.

The Rye Field Model 5028 M4A3E8 Sherman Easy Eight is ideal for modelers interested in depicting one of the most famous Allied tanks of WWII. With its high-quality parts, attention to historical accuracy, and customizable features, this model kit is a great representation of the “Easy Eight” and an essential addition to any WWII armor collection.

The M4A3E8Sherman , also known as the “Easy Eight,” was an advanced variant of the American M4 Sherman tank and one of the most effective models used by Allied forces during the latter part of World War II. Introduced in 1944, the Easy Eight featured significant improvements in mobility, firepower, and armor, setting it apart from earlier Sherman versions and making it well-suited for the challenging European theater. The tank became a favorite among American and Allied tank crews for its balanced performance, adaptability, and reliability on the battlefield.

Design and Upgrades

The M4A3E8 was based on the M4A3 Sherman, equipped with the powerful Ford GAA V8 engine, providing 450 horsepower. This engine gave the Easy Eight a top speed of approximately 48 km/h (30 mph) on roads, with good cross-country performance, making it one of the fastest medium tanks of its time. One of the key improvements in the M4A3E8 was the introduction of a horizontal volute spring suspension (HVSS) system.

This suspension gave the tank a smoother ride and better stability over rough terrain, allowing it to maintain higher speeds and improve crew comfort, even in demanding conditions. The HVSS system also allowed for wider tracks, which reduced ground pressure and enhanced the tank’s mobility on soft ground and snow, an important asset during the winter of 1944–1945.

Firepower

The Easy Eight was armed with the 76 mm M1A2 gun, a high-velocity cannon that provided much better armor-piercing capability than the original 75 mm gun found on early Sherman models. This gun enabled the M4A3E8 to engage and penetrate the armor of German tanks like the Panther at moderate ranges, making it a more formidable opponent on the battlefield. While still not as powerful as the German 88 mm guns mounted on the Tiger tanks, the 76 mm gun made the Easy Eight a credible threat and allowed it to support infantry and provide effective anti-tank capabilities.

Armor and Survivability

The M4A3E8 retained similar armor to earlier models, with 63 mm of frontal armor on the hull and up to 76 mm on the turret. While this was generally effective against small arms and lighter anti-tank weapons, it remained vulnerable to German heavy tanks and anti-tank guns. However, the tank’s agility and the improved firepower gave it better survivability when employed with smart tactics, such as using hull-down positions and coordinated attacks to avoid direct exposure to enemy fire.

Operational Role and Legacy

The Easy Eight was widely deployed in Western Europe, where it quickly gained a reputation for being one of the most effective Allied tanks. Its balanced combination of firepower, mobility, and reliability made it particularly valuable during fast-moving operations, including the final Allied push into Germany. The M4A3E8 Sherman remained in service well after WWII, seeing action in the Korean War and even in some conflicts beyond, a testament to its effective design.

The M4A3E8 “Easy Eight” is remembered as a highly versatile tank that gave Allied forces a reliable answer to more advanced German armor, contributing significantly to the success of ground operations in the closing stages of WWII. Its legacy endures as a symbol of Allied technological adaptation and battlefield performance.

Informations complémentaires
Weight 0,8 kg
Country

United States
Material

Plastic
Period

WW2
Scale

Brand