In the “COMING SOON” category you will find items that could be new releases or reissue and restock that are had been ordered or will be available at my store in the nearest future.
ESTIMATED RELEASE DATE – June 2007
DRAGON
Series – Armor
DRR 60292 – SHERMAN M4A1(76)W
2ND Armored Rgt., Polish 1st Armored Division
Scale – 1/72
Released – estimated JUNE 2007
Condition – PRE-ORDER*
List Price – 18.80
Special pre-order price - $15.50
Retails up to $23.50
Dragon constantly increase the price on its Armor series products!
Discounts are available for regular customers and with purchasing of other military models please inquire.
*Please note that your credit card will be charged at the time of the order. If you will order additional models at the time when this model will be released you will be able to combine shipments. Upon your request shipment of pre-ordered models can be delayed to a specific date or until a combine shipment with your other order. In case Dragon will delay a release of a pre-ordered model you can get a full refund or use the prepaid amount towards purchasing of other products from my store.
About this release
“The Sherman was the mainstay of the Allied armored units, with over 40,000 produced from 1942 onwards. The ubiquitous Sherman was to be found in the ranks of every Allied army in WWII and on every front. One of the most easily distinguishable variants was the M4A1, which utilized a cast hull rather than the welded hull of the others. Later a 76mm gun was introduced to give the tank more lethality against heavily armored German opponents, but this required installation of a new turret big enough to carry the gun. When combined together - the M4A1(76)W was conceived.
Main Features:
- Open window display packaging
- Highly popular and collectible item
- True to 1/72 scale
- Fully accurate mold
- Fully assembled
- Historically accurate markings and insignia
- Includes protective display case
Dragon Armor is going to release a 1/72 scale model of one such tank that belongs to Polish 1st Army and saw battle in Holland in 1944. All the characteristics of the M4A1(76)W are faithfully reproduced. With maximum detail, it is painted in typical olive drab and accurate markings. This 1/72 scale M4A1(76)W is ready to take on the mightiest Panther or Tiger in battle now!” source www.dragonmodelsusa.com
About the unit
The 2nd Polish Armoured Regiment was raisd in France on 29 January 1940 as 2nd Tank Battalion and fought in French campaign of 1940. After the fall of France members of the regiment reformed in Scotland on 13 November 1942. The unit returned in France in late July 1944 as a part of the 10th Polish Armoured Brigade, 1st Polish Armoured Division.
The Polish 1st Armoured Division or Polish 1 Dywizija Pancerna (nicknamed ‘Black Division’), was an Allied military unit during the WWII and was created in February 1942 in Scotland were its guarded approximately 200 km of British coast. By the end of July it was transferred to Normandy. The unit was attached to the First Canadian Army. During the operation Totalize the division twice suffered serious bombings of “friendly fire” by Allied aircraft. Despite these tragic events the unit fought very effectively in series of offensive and defensive operations in Battle of Falaise in which a large number of Wehrmacht and SS divisions were trapped in a Chambois pocket and made numerous massive attacks trying to break through.
After Allied forces broke out of Normandy, division pursued Germans along the coast of the English Channel, liberating numerous of towns. The Division spent the winter of 1944-1945 on the river Rhine in the Netherlands. In early 1945 it was pushing with Allies along the Dutch-German border liberating many towns. In April 1945 the 1st Armoured entered the Reich in the area of Emsland. On May 6 the division seized the Kreigsmarine naval base in Wilhelmshaven were its commander General Maczek accepted capitulation of the fortress, naval base, East Frisan Fleet and more than 10 infantry divisions. The division was a part of occupation force until 1947 when it was disbanded. The majority of its soldier didn’t returned to Poland, were Communist Regime took over, and stayed in exile. At its maximum pick the division consist of 16,000 personnel, 380 tanks and 470 guns.
ABOUT THE SHERMAN TANK:
In August 1940 on the next day after M3 was rush into production, design work started on a project called T6 Medium tank, the design criteria was that it will have 75mm gun in a turret rotated 360 degree and it would reuse the maximum of components from M3. In September 1941 the T6 was standardize under the official title M4 Medium tank, which became widely known simply as Sherman with all its numerous modifications. It was armed with 75mm gun mounted in a one piece rounded casting, 3” thick in the front and power operated and gyrostabilizer controlling the gun in elevation. Lover hull was welded while upper hull was available in different variants as welded (M4) and a cast (M4A1) both were approximately 2” /50.8” thick. Seven factories manufactured a total of 49,230 tanks. No other tank of WW II was produced in such quantity. During the production there were numerous modifications including a main gun upgrades from T6 to T7 standardized under 75mm M2 gun in May 1941 and in June 1941 to 75mm M3 gun that had higher velocity. In August 1942 more powerful 76mm gun (originally planed for use for abandoned project of M6 heavy tank) was proposed but unfortunately the project was ceased in November and only in July 1944 76mm gun Sherman went into production with about 2,000 tanks were produced. In early 1941 two Sherman tanks with 105mm howitzer were tested and some 4,680 M4E5 armed with M52 105mm howitzer, built on M4 and M4A3 hulls were manufactured.
Maneuverable, reliable, simple in maintenance and operation it was advertised to American military personal as a best tank in a world. But allies tankers learn about it shortcomings, often at cost of their comrades lives, very fast upon their first encounters with Germans, especially in Normandy. Inadequate armour and especially armament, easy fire ignition after a heat in a motor compartment made this an easy target for Germans. Panther tank could knock out a Sherman from a distance over 1,800 and Tiger much farther, while Sherman in general can do no damage to it even at 200-400 yards and to Tiger practically at any distance.
Though it was no match to German tanks the Sherman was a good infantry support tank. While most Germans units have no chance to get a tank support it was widely available for Allies infantry man, especially on the Western Front, allowing them for faster advance with much less casualties. Even with its shortcomings the Sherman tank was a good weapon and made irreplaceable contribution towards achieving the victory in the WW II.
Under the Lend-Lease program the Sherman was supplied practically to all allies armies and saw battle in all parts of the world. British get a great success with rearming some Sherman with their long barrel high velocity gun. Such tanks were known as Firefly. Though not very accurate this gun was able to knock out Panther and Tiger tanks at a great distance (a Tiger armor could be penetrated at 1,500’).
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