Unit Reveal - Sherman Jumbo

Today we have a great new unit reveal - the JTFM/Die Waffenkammer M4A3E2 Assault Tank, or Jumbo Sherman!

This up-armored version of the Sherman had additional 1" armor plates attached, and a new turret design. It was armed with a 75mm gun, but frequently upgraded with 76mm guns when they were available.

Our Jumbo sports a large Allied star on its turret roof - better not tempt any over-eager Thunderbolt or Typhoon jockey to accidentally unload on it!

I modeled this tank with an open hatch - so you can add the excellent (and not yet painted) commander miniature to it.

If you like this new addition, and the rest of our army, make sure to contribute to the fundraiser by using the PayPal button on the right (and if you cannot see that button, you are likely on mobile view - scroll all the way down and switch to web view!).

Review - JTFM/Die Waffenkammer GMC CCKW 353 "Deuce and a half"

So, here it is, the last unit review for Operation Good Cause! JTFM/Die Waffenkammer did not just give us their Jumbo Sherman, but also another truck, more precisely a GMC CCKW 353 "Deuce and a half". Over half a million of these were built between 1941 and 1945 and they became a very common sight in Western Europe. It is also the base for the famous DUKW.

As always, JTFM kits come very safely packed:

The truck itself comes as a chassis, separate wheels and optional pieces like canvas covers, seating benches and machine gun. This allows a lot of easy customization. The canvas cover for the back can also easily be kept removable.

Although the chassis is one piece the details are top notch as usual for JTFM:

In addition to the amazing truck model you also get a driver, 5 passengers and a good mix of personal items to put on your vehicle.

Again, the quality and details on those miniatures is some of the best you will ever see in resin:

Assembly is very easy due to the limit number of parts and the great quality. Everything fits as it should, and using two-component resin it will stay together forever.

I decided to build the truck as a transport, so I put in the benches in the back. But then again, you just pop on the canvas and it is a supply truck.
I think eventually I'll have to put the driver in the cabin to be able to add the machine gun, but I'll keep the passengers separate so they can be used as crew for the jeeps.

I can just repeat what I always say: JTFM/Die Waffenkammer is my go-to source for high quality resin kits. Highly recommend!

Pimp My Rides

I needed a break from painting miniatures (so many faces!) and decided to pack up the Butler's Printed Models vehicles with some leftover JTFM accessories. I hope you like it!

 I also cut out the windscreens of the Jeeps, which was quite a mission. Anyway, they look much better this way!

The HMC M8 Scott got a bunch of sand bags and other baggage, as well as a new .50 cal.

I have one more review to do, and after that we will start to reveal finished units. Exciting!

So, just to give you a new count on army composition:

70 Airborne
41 Army
25 Rangers
1 57mm ATG
1 75mm pack howitzer
2 M3 Halftracks
2 Jeeps

1 Truck
1 M5 Stuart

1 M8 Scott
3 M4A4 Sherman
1 M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman
1 M10 Wolverine
2 M8/M20 Armored Cars
1 Bolt Action 2nd Edition book

Or in short: 136 infantry, 7 tanks, 2 armored cars, 2 guns, 5 transports and a rulebook!

Review - JTFM/Die Waffenkammer Jumbo Sherman

Today we are going to have a look at the first donation from JTFM/Die Waffenkammer: A Jumbo Sherman, or officially, the M4A3E2 Assault Tank. This is a late war variant with additional armor and the powerful 76mm main gun.
Although only 254 of these tanks were built, they became quite iconic for the late war armored forces in Europe. For example, "Cobra King" of First in Bastogne-fame was a Jumbo.

All JTFM/Die Waffenkammer models come in stable cardboard boxes and the parts are wrapped in foam. I own several of their vehicles for my British 8th Army and I never had any issues with damaged parts. The Jumbo has four main components, two tracks, hull and turret:

In addition to all the small bits like hatches the kit contains a vast amount of extras: two crew members, baggage, sand bags, track links and bogey wheels:

All of these pieces are of outstanding quality - in my humble opinion JTFM/Die Waffenkammer is a strong contestant for the best resin models on the market!

Assembly is easy - the hardest part is to decide which of the optional bits you want to on your model. I use two-component glue for resin models, and as far as i can tell it will never come apart again.

Here are some pictures of the finished model:

That brings our army up to:

64 Airborne
33 Army
25 Rangers
1 57mm ATG
1 75mm pack howitzer
2 M3 Halftracks
1 M5 Stuart
1 M4A4 Sherman
1 M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman
1 M10 Wolverine
2 M8/M20 Armored Cars
1 Bolt Action 2nd Edition book

If you are really paying attention to our project you'll have noticed a new sponsor on the list - we will have a look at their contribution next.

And keep in mind that there is still time to enter our bonus give-away of the Henschel truck - see below for all details!