Building "Dixie Belle" for the Sherman Group Build using...

I had planned on building a 72nd Dragon kit for the Group build, but after fighting with the suspension, I decided to move on...

To making a M4A1 from the 1st Armored Division before the battle at Kasserine Pass. There are quite a few photos of this tank after the battle and if you know anything about the battle, you know that 1AD did not fair well at their first battle with the German Army.

Tasca will be coming out this kit at the end of February, but I decided to beat them to the punch by using the earlier kit and then use the decals from the new kit it arrives.

Here is Dixie's box art from Tasca-
Here is the kit that I'll be using-

 

Love those yellow markings!

As I said, 1AD didn't do well-here is a pic of old Dixie after the battle (pic from the internet)-

One of the reason's that I want to build this tank is that it's my first Tasca kit with direct vision slots (DV) and M3 "Lee" style suspension.

DV-

Dan

 

Will follow this looks to be good, you going to do pre battle or after battle?

 

cheers

 

Rossco

Dan, I've updated the GB list to reflect your change of subject and I'll be watching this one for sure.

 

Interesting about Tasca's mistake. I notice that the top b/w shot on the example page you posted shows an M4A1 with 3-piece cover, so obviously both types were around at the time. I take it that a front pic of Dixie in the book shows a round front?

 

Cheers,

Ken

Ross-pre battle it is!

 

Ken-There are a few pics of Dixie in the First Blood book after the battle that clearly show a round nose on her. Most photos of the DV M4A1's in that book show them with rounded noses. Tasca must assume that all DV M4/M4A1's have the three piece cover which is hardly the case.

Thanks for looking in.

Dan

Hi Dan

 

You are probably aware of this anyway but Tasca do a great service in selling sprues from kits should you need them.

 

Maybe this would solve your hull front issue, I don't know, Shermans are something I know very little about.

 

reference 35010 -J sprue

 

Alan,

Thanks for the info, but the kit does include this tree, so I'll have no problem with finding that part.

Simon,

Thanks for dropping by!

Dan

 

 

 

 

 

Dan

 

"....did not fair well..." is a mild understatement. Best of luck with this.

 

Cheers

 

Tim