====== Heller 1/72 Sherman M4A2 ======

<WRAP round half box>
  * Manufacturer: Heller
  * Part number: 79894
  * Year of production: 2014
  * Scale: 1/72
  * Series: [[:blog:models:military:index|Military series]]
  * Kit type: Scale model of WWII armoured vehicle
  * Vehicle: Allied medium tank
  * Build date: May 2025
  * Price: £8.99 from [[https://www.emodels.co.uk|eModels]] in September 2024.
</WRAP>

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:345425-13652-65-pristine.jpg?400|}} 

This kit was bought in September 2024 to be displayed as part of my [[blog:models:french_armour_display|WW2 French countryside ambush]] display.

===== Build Log =====

==== Box Contents ====

Box front and rear:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910101658.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910101711.jpg?300|}} 

Instruction sheet:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910101841.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910101859.jpg?300|}}

Parts sprues, really nice detail:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910102011.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910102019.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910102028.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910102040.jpg?300|}}

Rubber tracks - two versions (rubber block and steel):

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910102058.jpg?300|}}

Decal sheet - printing is not quite perfect:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20240910102127.jpg?300|}}

==== Build Images ====

**[May 17th 2025]** Started to built the Sherman to go alongside the [[:blog:military:models_sherman_m4a4_firefly|Firely]] in the [[:blog:models:french_armour_display|WWII - French countryside ambush diorama]].

Working on the lower hull and wheels/suspension first:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250517192348.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250517192354.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518114851.jpg?500|}} 

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518121911.jpg?500|}}

**[May 18th 2025]** Completed suspension and working on the upper hull, turret etc.

Main upper hull and front glacis plate:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518134639.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518140757.jpg?500|}}

Turret completed and stowage items added:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518163902.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518163912.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518163923.jpg?500|}}

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518163934.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518163938.jpg?500|}} 

==== Comparisons ====

Side by side comparison with the [[:blog:military:models_sherman_m4a4_firefly|Dragon 1:72 M4A4 'Firefly']]:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518164034.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518164040.jpg?500|}}

This was a nice kit to build - no nasty areas which needed massive amounts of repair work, and detailed enough without being //really// fiddly to work on. It probably took about 1/4 - 1/3 the time the Dragon kit did, but I wouldn't say it was 1/4 - 1/3 the detail.

The big downside, which hasn't been tackled yet, is the vinyl/rubber tracks. //Not// looking forward to those.

==== Painting ====

=== Base Colours ===

Primed in light green:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518192149.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518205856.jpg?500|}}

Top coat olive drab:

   * Vallejo Model Air - N41 Dark Olive Drab

Painted at the same time as the [[blog:military:models_sherman_m4a4_firefly|Dragon 1/72 Sherman Firefly]]:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250524132608.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250524132627.jpg?500|}} 

Stowage and accessories painted:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250524190612.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250524190618.jpg?500|}} 

=== Decals ===

Gloss coat added prior to applying decals:

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250525090116.jpg?500|}} 

Decals added. These are //not// the greatest. The printing is not brilliant, and one of the colour layers is quite clearly offset, leading to stray white borders where there shouldn't be any.

{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250525102902.jpg?500|}}{{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250525102910.jpg?500|}}

Also added the vinyl tracks. These are awful, as usual. They were fitted (ends fastened with superglue) and then painted with Vallejo Surface Primer - Black. They will get weathered and painted later.
===== Completed Images =====

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