"Plastic Soldier 1/72 M4A1 Models" Topic

I recently bought a number of boxes of 1/72 vehicles made by Plastic Soldier for a project involving my grandson.

Now, I find it hard to complain about decently priced models, attractively made, etc., but there were some odd things that I wanted to mention about this one particular box of Sherman M4A1 tank models.

* the box clearly says that both the 75 mm and 76 mm gun variants are included (there are 3 tank models to the box).

Not true, only the 75 mm variant is included.

* the box clearly says that both US and British commander figures are included.

Not true, only the British commander is included (in a beret, which makes it hard to pretend he is US).

* there is a simple and incomplete assembly guide that does not show many of the pieces on the spruces being used.

* there are many pieces left over on the spruces when (I think) the models are assembled.

Now, since I wanted US tanks and intended to make up Americans and a 76 mm gun tank in a platoon, I've been disappointed. While the boxes I bought of German Pz IVs and StuGs are as promised on their box information, these did not.

I did write to Plastic Soldier some time ago with an inquiry about the disconnect from what the box cover promises and what gets delivered, but apparently my e-mail got lost (smile) as I've never heard back from them.

So, if you're looking for 1/72 Sherman tank models, beware of what is really included.

Dan

at 1/72, how different do the two guns look?

Legit question, I play more 6mm, and at that scale to me a sherman is a sherman.

the commanders though, that is a shame!

One would not notice the difference in thickness, but the 76 was longer and usually had a muzzle brake. Turret was different also.

Dan

good to know.

that is certainly disappointing then

Actually the hull on an M4A1 (76) is different from an M4A1(75) as well.

I agree that the assembly instructions on PSC products aren't brilliant. They are an improvement on Armourfast instructions, though. I've got some pieces of Jagdpanther left over and I haven't a clue where they go.

I've emailed PSC a few times and always got a reply. Will from PSC is also on TMP so you could always send him a personal message. I think he's Catman 2.

Hi
Looking on the website they seem to have the 2 variants available separately
not in the same box. I maybe wrong but I can't see one with both in the same box.
The 75mm coming with British crew and the 76mm with American crew.

On the PSC website they also normally have a picture of the sprue with all items either numbered or coloured so you can tell what is what.

The M4A1 kit was probably the poorest offering from PSC (more recent releases from this company have been vastly better).

In addition to what has already been mentioned, there are various issues with the dimensions, shape and overall scale of the M4A1 kit. Details here:

link

I agree that the assembly instructions on PSC products aren't brilliant.

Some kits now have the instructions printed on the inside of the box with no separate sheet. I personally don't like this much…

Will from PSC is also on TMP so you could always send him a personal message. I think he's Catman 2.

It is true that Mr Townsend does make occasional appearances on TMP, usually promoting new PSC releases. But he does seem rather selective when it comes to responding to direct questions.

Nice, Hornswoggler, wish I'd known that before I bought the box. Now I've tanks I cannot use and will have to find some others to replace them.

The infantry I've bought from PS are nice, as are the German vehicles. Wish they'd had their act together before I got ripped off (don't know what else to call being sold one thing and finding out that I'd bought another).

Dan

@Dan,

It sounds like the PSC kit you need for your project is WW2V20005 Easy Assembly 1/72nd Sherman M4A1 76mm Wet Tank;
"3 x 1/72nd Easy Assembly Sherman M4A1 76mm (Wet Stowage) Tanks with US Commander figures"

I saw box-art but no sprue shots on the PSC website, but you can see them here along with the completed model:

link

Dan

Don't know how you can say you were ripped off from what I have seen on the PSC website the boxes are quite clearly marked up with the contents and there is also a list of items within the box.

Unless you have a limited edition that I have not seen I think the mistake is down to you

Clearly states that both variants of the 75 and 76 mm tanks are included, as well as both US and British commanders.

Cannot be more clear than that without opening the sealed box to check.

Find one and look. Willing to post picture of back of box with those claims if you wish.

Dan

I'd love to see that, Dan. I'd say since it was their earliest release they probably screwed up, but they are very clear about it on their web site now.

If anyone has doubts, you can track the link I posted above back to the OTW in-box preview. To quote Stephen Brezinski:

"Here is the back of the kit box which I would not normally bother discussing but I think it is important for a modeler in this case. Notice at the top where it says "This pack contains: 3 M4A1 Sherman tanks. Each sprue has options to build either 75mm of 76mm gun variants and include both US and British commander figures. At left are displayed an M4A1(75) and an M4A1(76) painting (from an Osprey Vanguard book on the Sherman). Please be aware (buyer beware): this statement and information is wrong! There is only the option of three M4A1(75) kits in the box; no 76-mm gun and T23 turrets are included! I suspect these statements apply to one of Plastic Company's earlier 15-mm kits?"

Now the current description on the PSC website is clear enough:
"3 x 1/72nd Easy Assembly Sherman M4A1 75mm Tanks with British Commander figures and sand skirt options. Suitable for British and Commonwealth forces from El Alamein in 1942 onwards"

But I can't tell from the current box-art image (front only) on the PSC website whether the information on the box has actually been corrected…

Probably old box then, the kit probably used to be able to build both versions but once they released a dedicated box for the 76mm Sherman, they most likely changed to include just the 75mm guns on the other box but never actually changed the box description just the web description

At least in 1/72, can't count for 15mm

Still screwed then. Would think that they'd be willing to make their mistake right. Not bothering to even answer my e-mail asking about it does not seem to be cusotmer friendly or an attempt to keep a customer.

Will have to look around for alternatives.

Dan

…the kit probably used to be able to build both versions but once they released a dedicated box for the 76mm Sherman, they most likely changed to include just the 75mm guns on the other box but never actually changed the box description

No. The 1/72 version of the kit never contained parts for two different versions. As Mr Brezinski rightly opined, the error on the 1/72 box is a result of copying statements from the 15mm version of the kit which does contain two commanders, two turrets and three different guns.

So, in effect, they screwed up and their customers have no recourse (smile). Send me a spurce with a 76 mm gun tank and commander and I'd have been happy. Just have answered my e-mail would have helped.

Somehow I think that they have lost business as a result. If one does not stand behind one's products, then customers will buy from ones that will.

Dan

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but I'll just throw my thoughts out here and see what sticks.

I think it's a case of both an uninformed customer and a misleading product from the producer.

If you are looking for 1/72 Shermans, there are plenty of resources that describe (in lengthy detail – too much for me to worry about, really!) all of the different types and makes of the M4 in 1/72 scale, how accurate they are, what theater they're best suited for, etc. A bit of research would have shown that PSC's offering for 1/72, while nicely priced, is a bit lacking in terms of scale and accuracy, and (don't quote me here) I want to say even Will himself mentioned he wasn't entirely satisfied with the 1/72 Sherman. I believe it was scaled up from their 15mm version, hence some of the flaws that are noticeable at the larger scale.

Now, I agree that PSC should update their box art to reflect the box contents. It also seems unusual that PSC is not responding to any of your emails. I'd remain persistent and polite though, since it appears you are quite unsatisfied with what you purchased.

Did you order direct from PSC, or through a third party retailer? Is returning the product an option at this point?

~iPaint

3rd party, so no way to return them.

I've given up on their responding, so just bash them quietly on a number of sites and threads. Gets me nothing, but at least I'm warning others that PSC does not back their products.

Dan

Does the retailer not accept returns? I'm assuming the kits are still on sprue, that is.

If you've already built them, couldn't you be able to find a use for them? The 75mm would be as common as the 76mm if you're doing anything in Normandy in 1944 or later, up until around mid 1945 where the 76mm was more the mainstay tank.

If you are looking for an M4A3 76mm, Italeri does a fast-build kit with 2 per box that is priced similarly. They pop up on eBay and Amazon every now and then, as well as online hobby shops. The tracks aren't as well detailed, but they're still nice little models for the price, and better than Armourfast's offerings.

Bummer you weren't able to hear back from PSC. I really doubt their lack of response is meant as a slight to their customers. If you are adamant on receiving a refund, though, I'd keep emailing them. Squeaky wheel and all that.

Best luck.

~iPaint

I'm going to use them for destroyed Shermans.

Expresses my feelings (smile).

Dan

cheap plastic rubbish, what do you expect

Will Townshend from PSC here

Sorry about your bad experience, Dan. I do try and answer every email but i do get a few every day and occasionally some slip through the cracks.

we also pride ourselves on our customer service so email me at info@theplasticsoldiercompany.co.uk with your address and we will send you a free box of M4A1 76mm wets with US crew.

the M4A1 kit was an early kit and, to be honest, was a problem child – most of it of my own making as i failed to amend the box artwork when we had to drop some options from the 15mm version. however, if you want a bog standard M4A1 it does the trick

I thank you for your offer and appreciate the customer service. It does melt a sore spot in my heart (smile).

Thanks,

Dan