Reviews : Tamiya US Medium Tank M4A3E8 Sherman ''Easy Eight''

What an outstanding kit! Most Tamiya kits are very good, but this kit tops even their usual high quality. I really enjoyed the chance to construct the lower hull from multiple parts. This is not one of those kits where the entire lower hull is a single molded piece - you get to build it. There is also plenty to do building up the suspension and wheels. The turret features a vertically movable main gun that will hold its position where you place it. The commander's cupola has clear view ports, which I have not seen on other Tamiya kits. There is a half figure of the tank commander that is posed in a realistic position. All hatches can be modeled open or closed. The vinyl tracks are pretty good. Regular plastic model cement works with them, so it is much better than the older style where you have to melt pins to keep the ends together. Tamiya gives you their standard great set of tools and accessories to decorate the tank, including shovel, ax, crowbar, spare fuel cans, extra track links, etc. Part fit is great throughout the entire model - I didn't have to use putty anywhere. There are only a few decals; stars for the turret, sides and front depending on which of the two version you choose to build. All the decals went down fine with a bit of decal setting solution. Overall, this kit was straight forward to build, was high quality and was great looking once finished. I highly recommend it.

This was my second Tamiya kit, and my first military build. It is hard to find anything to dislike about a Tamiya. Clean parts. Clear instructions. Nice tolerance between parts. Yes, you'll pay a little more for a Tamiya, but their kits are worth the extra money. One issue I encountered, which was in no way Tamiya's fault, was that the instructions called for XF-84 Dark Iron paint. My hobby store didn't keep anything above X-80. I looked XF-84 up on Tamiya's site, but didn't want to pay shipping charges for a couple dollops of paint. Once I realized it was used on the spare links for the tracks, and my tracks would be muddied up so you couldn't see the color, I just used Testors Gun Metal for the spare links. The only other issue was that there were two small pieces that were supposed to go on the inner front fenders. I didn't have enough clearance between the tracks and the body of the tank to position them correctly so I just left them off. It still looks nice without them. The third issue was all on me! I got ahead of myself and put mud on the body where the decals belonged, so I had to use some creative techniques and just use the part of the decal that would show from behind the mud. If you choose to dirty it up, remember: DECALS FIRST! All in all this was a very enjoyable kit.

THIS BY FAR IS THE BEST M4 SHERMAN THAT TAMIYA HAS DONE. EVEN THE BODIES AND WHEELS WERE STRONG AND VERY EASY TO PUT TOGETHER. I TOOK AN ITALERI (FURY) TANK PIECES AND USED THEM ON THE TAMIYA EASY 8. WHY?? BECAUSE THE ITALERI WAS ALL WRONG. PLUS PARTS WERE NOT MADE WELL OR CORRECT TO THE TANK USED ON THE MOVIE FURY. SO I TOOK A TAMIYA EASY 8 AND TURNED IT INTO THE FURY REPLICA FROM THE MOVIE. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WILL BUILD NO MORE ITALERI MODELS..TAMIYA IS THE BEST HANDS DOWN. I WATCHED THE MOVIE 5 TIMES AND DID THE CLOSEST I COULD COME TO REPLICATING THE FURY TANK. I PRETTY MUCH JUST USED A MACHINE GUN MOUNT, GERMAN HELMET WITH GAS MASK, TRACKS FROM THE ITALERI TANK. I WISH TAMIYA WOULD DO ANOTHER FURY TANK. I THINK THEY DID BACK IN 2015 BUT DISCONTINUED. SO, I DID IT THE OTHER WAY..LOL WELL WORTH THE TIME AND MONEY.

Tamiya has outdone themselves with this one. This is a new tool and it shows. The kit is superb. The fit is excellent and I am so glad the bathtub hull is a thing of the past. The main gun's barrel is slide molded so it looks sharp and is simple to get looking really good. This kit still has the rubber band tracks but the Sherman normally had quite a bit of tension in the tracks so there really is no need to create any sag. Of all the Sherman kits out there, this is simply one of the best there is. There are no needless steps just to increase the part count and the kit looks excellent. Tamiya has been the best in the game for years and this is one of their best to date.

The 1/35 Sherman Easy Eight from Tamiya is highly recommended for novice model builders, due to it having a slide molded barrel and vinyl tracks. The tank commander figure is highly detailed. Cuppola viewing windows are clear plastic molded parts. Bolt detail on the running gear is crisp. The kit is a 2015 release with high quality precision molded parts that fit together without any problems. Due to the monotone olive drab scheme, painting is not complicated. With careful attention to the instructions, an accurate replica of this late war era Sherman can be made.

This is a very well molded kit with excellent fit. I really enjoyed building this tank. Everything was as it should be and the Commander with his infantry is a nice touch. This E8 tank was a very different tank from its predecessor in that the suspension made it ride Easy. This is well shown in this kit. The wheels and tracks went together well and work as designed. All in all, a very nice model. I would recommend this kit to anyone that enjoys mechanical wartime hardware and history. I am now hooked on tanks. Next tank model please !

This for me is the best model of have built to date. I started this hobby during COVID. I have had the honor and pleasure of seeing so many other folks on Hobbylinc sharing what works and how to do you best work building models. When it came to the Easy 8 Sherman, I took a page from everyone's playbook. This offering pretty much represents everyone on this site the has build this model. I have truly enjoyed every minute, hour and day of have put into this effort. Big freaking fun build!

Kit was a pleasure to assemble. Instructions were easy to follow and all parts fit as they should. There was very little residual plastic on the parts from the manufacturing process , so there was a minimal amount of cleaning excess plastic off before assembly. The detail is excellent but, I would like to have seen some interior detail. If it is built with the driver and or gunners hatches open there is nothing just a void.

I am relatively new to building models and I've read everywhere that Tamiya is the best. After doing my first build of the Easy Eight tank, I am in total agreement. This kit goes together incredibly smooth. They have some of the smallest parts I've ever seen, but things go together so easily that even a relatively new builder was able to get everything into place with minimal problems.

Purchased this kit about 7 or 8 years ago. Finally took it down and finished it. The model went together with no problems. More Tamiya excellence! My suggestion would be for Tamiya to add more decal options in this kit. Wish I had finished this earlier. Well it's done and their are pictures on this site of the finished model. Highly recommended for modelers of all skill levels.

Love this model. I've gotta get some of the allies bag set from tamiya. You need that to really make a great product. But it's also perfect the way it is. No flash basically fell together with no problems. I'd love some other tracks for it but that's just me. I'll get another sometime later for a diaroma. Great kit.

Highly recommend for the novice armor builder like myself. 90% of my builds are ww2 aircraft and modern navy jets. This was my first armor kit and it really gets the armor MOJO going. Instructions are well structured and easy to understand. The fitment is perfect. Comes together rather quickly. Will purchase again.

All you need to know is that it's a Tamiya kit. Once you open the box the kit almost builds itself. No flash, perfect fit, great instructions and awesome decals. I would have liked to see better tracks though. I would highly recommend to anyone with a couple of kits under their belt.

This is a really good looking kit. This is a normal Tamiya kit as it is very well made and all the parts fit very well. Cons would be the flash on small parts and the tracks but neither are bad, if you know whart iI mean. I highly recommend this kit.

Good kit. Almost everything fit together perfectly. some of the smaller parts get a little tricky but overall they fall into place nicely. Be prepared to drill out 4 holes that are not molded into the plastic for the front mantlet lift hooks.

One of the best kits I have ever built. Everything went together just right. The fit was great and there was no flash. Some may find the road wheels a little difficult. But overall I think anyone can build this kit.

This model is amazing. Its so clean, and it looks super cool on my shelf. I really like how it comes with a commander figure, it adds to the model. I had no issues with this kit, very satisfied with my buy!

One of the best models I've gotten so far with great detail and good instructions. If anything you should pick up some extra gear to put on it along with a dirt wash to give it that 'used' feel.

I have built at least a dozen Tamiya Sherman kits + other brands. This is hands down the best Tamiya offers, so much I bought a extra! excellent detail and pleasure to build.

Great kit goes together great, especially for not having a bathtub style hull,the only problem I have is the suspension with the connection of the regular road wheels.

Like every other Tamiya kit, it goes together with ease and the instructions are clear. I highly recommended if you're looking for a quick, easily weekend build.

got to be the best e8 kit I have ever built, Tamiya hit a homerun with this one, great fits on assembly for vinyl tracks the look great this one is a must

One of, if not the best fitting models I have ever build. Everything fit like a glove. But, with the smaller parts this kit may not be for everyone.

I built the motorized version of this kit when it was available and it came together nicely. No issues and the finished product looks realistic.

my first sherman. excellent detail.went together so well and tight, i didnt need to glue it (upper hull to lower hull).typical tamiya.

This kit was a great build, it went together flawlessly. Another crewmen and maybe a few more decal options, would really be sweet!

Not a bad kit very good detail easy to build excellent packaging, and very pleased with the quality of the kit

This kit is wonderful. No flash, almost perfect fit and great decals. Just what you expect from Tamiya.

Great kit. Solid fit. Detail well done. Overall champ here. Enjoyable stress free build

This is a great model of a nice little tank. Not very hard to do.

Great model I been wanting to add one to my collection.