My M4A3 76mm Sherman { Antonie }

This is my First Sherman . I did it as a Memorial to my father. Anthony Cueter. 41st Inf Div 1942 to 1946. south pacific. He joined his Comrades in Arms May 24 2012.  He was My Hero. I used the date of his passing for the Serial Number of the Tank. Antonie belongs to the 4th Armored Div. 37th Armored Battalion, A Troop. A 11. Here he is after the Camo and Initial weathering to the lower hull.

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After this point I added the tie downs for the pioneer tools and removed the molded straps from all the tools themselves.

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Here the straps are now in place .

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The next thing to be addressed was the addition of the 50 Cal. Dragon didn't supply this with the kit. So i stole it from my M3 Scout Car. Cut the pedestal down added the lower supports and mounted it. John over at East coast armory then enformed me that I had mounted it in the wrong location. Her it is in the right spot repainted and weathered.

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While the 50 was being worked on I was also starting to apply all the markings and getting all the Hatches to open and close.

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More surprises too come.

Here's the first major upgrade. John over at East Coast Armory makes the Single Hatch Commanders Copula. A really nicely done Piece I might add.

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So without any further waiting Off with the Old and Test fit the New.

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I made a few changes to the kit thought. First change was the Hatch Lock. I redid this using Brass and a better spring.
Origional

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New

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The Hatch lock actually works now.

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The next step to this kit is the inside Periscopes. A lot of carefull sanding is required Here.

This is what you start with

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This is what you end up with.

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This is what it should look like when they are all installed and super glued inplace.

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The next thing I did was make a sleeve to Better secure the Hatch in-place to the Copula. Sleeve is not supplied in kit. I cut down a piece of 1/4" brake steel line for this.

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Made for a much better fit.

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Last I added the Hatch outside handle. Made this using Brass Rod.

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Then installed the kits end caps and retest fitted the Asm.

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Still Got two more surprises to do.

Great looking tutorial on the cupola!

I got the last two additions for Antonie finished now. The 30 cal mount is completed and test fitted and I got the most important part in the mail to make Antonie a true Panther Killer. The 76 mm gun from John over at East Coast Armory arrived. " Truly AWSUME ". First the 30 cal.

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Now off with the old and on with the Beast.

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Last step Priming all the new parts.

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I will not bother with pics of the completed Antonie just go right to desert. Here they are both together at last for their first shoot. Antonie the Avenger and Anthony the Animal.

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They look killer bro....great work, and custom details!
I cant wait to see them in a full blown dio....

Cool! Not one but two awesome detailed and crewed Shermans

Outstanding work