Tamiya 35346 1/35 US Medium Tank M4A3E8 Sherman Plastic Model Kit Review (2026)

Who this Sherman Easy Eight kit suits

Tamiya's 1/35 M4A3E8 Sherman recreates the Easy Eight variant, the late war American medium tank fitted with Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension that gave crews a smoother ride than earlier Shermans. It is a good fit for builders who want an American tank to sit alongside German or Soviet armor on the shelf, and for anyone easing into weathering practice, since the plain olive drab finish is forgiving of practice brush strokes and pin washes compared with elaborate camouflage patterns. Because this is a 2015 tool, it also appeals to builders who want current generation Tamiya engineering rather than an older rebox, with crisper surface detail and easier assembly than many of the company's earlier Sherman kits from past decades.

Scale, size and what comes in the box

At 1/35 scale the finished tank measures about 214mm long and 86mm wide, a typical footprint for this size class of armor kit. Slide molded turret and upper hull parts reduce the number of visible seams that need filling, and clear parts recreate the headlight lenses and cupola vision blocks for a more realistic look than painted on details. The single pin T66 track is molded as flexible belt type tracks rather than individual links, which speeds up assembly considerably compared with link and length tracks. A commander torso figure is included, along with decals for two European Theater marking options, though the box does not include stowage accessories or full figures to further personalize the tank.

Building and posing the Sherman

The kit is designed so hatches can be assembled open or closed, letting builders choose whether to show off interior hatch detail or keep a cleaner closed up look. Because the turret and hull use slide molded parts, fit is tight and predictable, and the belt style tracks go on with far less fuss than older style individual track links, making this a comfortable build for modelers who want to spend more time painting than assembling. The HVSS suspension and wider tracks of the Easy Eight variant are a visibly different look from earlier narrow track Shermans, so builders researching markings should confirm their chosen unit actually used this suspension type before finalizing a paint scheme.

How it stacks up against other tank kits

In Tamiya's own lineup of armor kits, the Sherman Easy Eight scores just as well as the Tiger I Early Production for fit and build quality, giving builders a strong American counterpart to sit beside German armor from the same range. Compared with dedicated aftermarket heavy kits, this Sherman includes fewer marking choices than some specialist armor brands offer, and it leaves stowage, tarps and additional crew figures as separate purchases rather than bundling them in. Builders who want a tank that arrives ready to detail out of the box with extra accessories may want to budget for aftermarket stowage sets, while those happy with a clean out of box build will find this kit needs little beyond paint.

Verdict and who should pick something else

This is a strong choice for builders who want a modern tooled American medium tank with a straightforward, well engineered build and a forgiving paint scheme for practicing weathering. The Easy Eight's distinctive suspension and long gun give it a different silhouette from earlier Shermans, which helps it stand out on a shelf of WWII armor. Builders who want a kit loaded with stowage, crew figures and extra marking options right out of the box may be better served elsewhere, since this one keeps the accessory list lean. Anyone building a full Sherman family should pair it with earlier variants to show the type's evolution over the course of the war.

Frequently asked questions