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ARMORFAST M4 Kit # 99001

Armorfast M4

This recently introduced kit from Armorfast is directed to the war gamers market but diehard model builders shouldn’t shy away from this little “diamond in the rough”

I expect that from a war gamers point of view that this representation of an early M4 is adequate for them. However from a modelers point of view, at first it doesn’t seem like much.

Once you put a scale on this kit you will realize that all parts scale out to almost exactly 1/72 scale.

This kit has a lot of possibilities. Until it’s arrival there were no plastic kits of an early M4 available. I could compare this kit to Extratech’s recent release but the comparison would be like comparing apples to oranges.

The hull is of the mid production variety with welded drivers and radio operators hoods. The transmission housing is the one piece cast version. There are no lift rings, lights or pioneer tools present on the hull so will be needed to be added for an accurate replica.

The suspension / track assembly on this particular kit is Armorfast’s earlier attempt at the M4 VVSS type suspension. The main difference between this and later releases of the same kit are a lack of track detail on this release. Later kits have rudimentary guide horns added

which greatly improve the appearance. Also the track skids are molded solid and should be either drilled out or replaced with new ones made from brass sheet.

The turret is an early 75 mm turret with a nice cast texture. Present is a split hatch type commanders cupola. No loaders hatch or shell ejection port are present. Also lift rings, spotlight, .50 mg and antenna will have to be scratch built

Overall this kit has great potential for scratch building, conversions and super detailing. As such I highly recommend this and all other Armorfast kits based on the M4 hull.

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