3rd Armoured Division M4A3

While working on my U.S. 4th Armoured Division M4A3E8 I received a set of Sherman dished road wheels I ordered from Great Models. Looking at the Tamiya M4A3(75)W I had on the shelf I decided to take it down and give it a go. Besides, I  would like to pick up the new Dragon M4A3(75)W but figured I should get this one done first.

This is the kit.

I decided to model a 3rd Armoured Division M4A3 that served with Courtney Hodges U.S. First Army in Northwest Europe. The 3rd began adding  extra amour to their tanks in August/September 1944 which were often taken from destroyed Shermans. Many of their M4's and M4A3's had applique armour added to the turret and Glacis, while others had just applique armour added to the turret. In my case I am going to model an M4A3 with applique armour added to the turret. The 3rd armoured division was a heavy division with 2 armoured regiments as opposed to higher numbered  U.S. armoured divisions which possessed one armoured regiement. The division was also a big proponent of camouflage and crews often painted their tanks in OD/Black a process which  began during Operation Cobra and the subsequent breakout in France.

Here's a picture of a 3rd Armoured Division M4A3(75)W during operations in Cologne near the end of the war. Note the Applique Armour on the turret which was  most probably taken from the turret of a destroyed Sherman. I am going to loosely base my project on this tank.

And here are a couple of shots of my work in progress.

Turret Complete. Added casting marks, sighting vain, pads for lifting rings