discussion 1/35 Sherman M4A3 Calliope

[Guest]

Hi I'm going to try and build the Sherman M4A3 Calliope, there will be 1-2 upgrades along the way.



Parts.





Ref.
View attachment 319796
View attachment 319797
Most of the Sherman Caliopes had is large box fitted to the rear to store the stowage away from the rocket wash.
View attachment 319798

Roccket deflection shield to prevent the wash from the rockets entering the engine through the grills on the engine decking doors.
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View attachment 319800
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Thank you for looking in.
Pete.

 

[Guest]

A bit of background.

The Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope) was a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher used by the United States Army during World War II. The launcher was placed atop the M4 Sherman, with its prominent vertical side frames firmly anchored to the turret's sides, and fired a barrage of 4.5 in (114 mm) M8 rockets from 60 launch tubes. It was developed in 1943; small numbers were produced and were used by various US armor units in 1944–45. It adopts its name from the musical instrument "Calliope", also known as the steam organ, which had similar parallel or clustered pipes, and which had historically existed on steamboats of the Mississippi River in the United States, or as is more commonly known and associated with traditional "circus music"
Variants

• Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope) – Version carrying 60 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets in arrangement of a group of 36 tubes on the top, and a pair jettisonable groups of 12 tubes (24 tubes of jettisonable groups) on the bottom (Not jettisonable from M4A1 Sherman variant).
• Rocket Launcher T34E1 (Calliope) – Same as T34 but groups of 12 jettisonable tubes replaced by groups of 14 tubes.
• Rocket Launcher T34E2 (Calliope) – Caliber of rockets increased from 4.5 in (114 mm) to 7.2 in (183 mm), number of tubes remains at 60. Saw combat in 1944–1945.

View attachment 319804
T34 Calliope
Type Tank-mounted rocket launcher (Rocket-Artillery Tank)
Place of origin United States
Service history Wars World War II
IProduction history Designer Victor Hawkins
Designed 1943
Specifications
Main
armament
60 × 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets (T34),
64 × 4.5 in (114 mm) rockets (T34E1),
60 × 7.2 in (183 mm) rockets (T34E2)

Pete.

 

[Guest]

Hello Pete,
Have you ever thought of going in for resurecting the dead? I can remember when this kit came out originally or was it Monogram. Can I pull up a chair and have tea and sarnies ordered while I watch your magic work on this.
Cheers,
Mike.

 

[papa 695]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Pete.

 

[Guest]

I can remember when this kit came out originally or was it Monogram.

Monogram had a 1/32 scale M4A1 (75 mm) with the Caliope launcher. Italeri’s is at least of the right type of M4

 

[Guest]

Monogram had a 1/32 scale M4A1 (75 mm) with the Caliope launcher. Italeri’s is at least of the right type of M4 :smiling3:

I thought my memory would not let me down, I think back then the only word we knew was Sherman, the variation was open to discussion. And I am sure it came with 'figures' and a diorama leaflet by Shep Paine. Mike.

 

[stillp]

Monogram had a 1/32 scale M4A1 (75 mm) with the Caliope launcher.

I built that in the 60s, it was really enjoyable!

Pete

 

[Guest]

Hello Pete,
Have you ever thought of going in for resurecting the dead? I can remember when this kit came out originally or was it Monogram. Can I pull up a chair and have tea and sarnies ordered while I watch your magic work on this.
Cheers,
Mike.

Hi Mike yes and my court case is in two weeks, as for the kit the box hes 1996 on it, the brew is on and have order doughnuts.
Pete.

 

[Guest]

Looking forward to seeing what you do with this one Pete.

Hi Ian don't expect too much but I'll do my best.
Pete.

 

[Guest]

Hi Mike yes and my court case is in two weeks, as for the kit the box hes 1996 on it, the brew is on and have order doughnuts.
Pete.

Mmmmmmmmmm! on my way.... Mike.

 

[Guest]

Hi I'll be using or adding Archer casting decals and some of the photo etch below.



Will be adding frontal sandbag armour.

Pete.

 

[Guest]

Got all the bogie unit, drive sprockets and idlers built and will do all the mods tomorow.


Thank you for looking in.
Pete.

 

[papa 695]

The bogie units look like mini motorbikes of judge Dredd.

 

[Guest]

Front seat with donuts please Pete.
Love this type of model.
John.

 

[Guest]

The bogie units look like mini motorbikes of judge Dredd.

Good description and it gives me a idea :thinking:.
View attachment 319990
Pete.

 

[Guest]

Front seat with donuts please Pete.
Love this type of model.
John.

Always welcome you better hurry Mikes already demolished half of them :tears-of-joy::tears-of-joy::tears-of-joy:.
Pete.

 

[Mickc1440]

I'm in before it fills up. The bogie units also look like the Warhammer 40k bikes:smiling:

 

[scottie3158]

Pete
I built one of these ages ago and used the same drawings. The only thing I found was on the hull and some other areas the plastic had started delaminating and flaking but I may have had a bad one. Looking forward to this

 

[Guest]

Hi did all the mods to the bogie units.







For ref use.
View attachment 319991
View attachment 319992

On to the lower hull.
Added missing right angle strip and rivets, added missing bogie units flange bolt heads, added Idler housing bolts.

Thank you for looking in.
Pete.

 

[col68]

Room for one more Peter ?