BY BILL ENGAR

SINCERE TANKS:  ATLANTIS A317 -- WWII M4 SHERMAN TANK --  PLASTIC ASSEMBLY KIT WITH 106 PARTS MOLDED IN OLIVE DRAB GREEN STYRENE PLASTIC PLUS BLACK SOFT PLASTIC TREADS -- MODEL GLUE REQUIRED FOR ASSEMBLY, NOT INCLUDED -- RECOMMENDED FOR AGES 14 AND UP -- COMPLETED MODEL 5.5" IN LENGTH -- MSRP ONLY $US21.99 (2026)

Atlantis Models has re-released their 1/48 M4A3E8 ("M4" Sherman Tank kit.  This model was previously part of their now-discontinued Air-Land-Sea kit released in 2021.  Atlantis has brought back this very nice 1/48 tank model kit by itself.  This model is perfect for a builder who has never tried a tank before.  Back in the day, Aurora's armor kits were known for their accuracy and detailing.  At a low cost today, these models are a great value for anyone desiring an easygoing armor build.  This kit is perfect for practicing or developing your armor  weathering skills.

Atlantis' M4 Sherman tank model kit uses original box art by Aurora Models legend John Steel.

The Sherman Tank is high on the list of key weapons considered instrumental with winning WWII.  Atlantis’ version is the M4A3E8.  The sharp edges indicate the hull of this version was made from welded plates, not a casting like the turret.

The kit contains 106 parts molded in olive-drab green plastic plus a pair of soft vinyl plastic tracks.

Aurora’s 1/48 Sherman tank kit was first tooled in 1968 (yes, it’s been well over 50 years!).  After the 1970's, 1/48-scale armor fell out of favor and these and a number of other 1/48 armor kits were discontinued.  Well, in the 2000's, 1/48-scale became popular for armor.  It's really "right-sized" between popular 1/35 and 1/72-scales.  The parts in a 1/48 armor kit aren't so tiny you need a magnifying glass to handle them as is common on some 1/72 armor kits nowadays.

The turret has a rough "casting" texture to it.

The hull detail on Atlantis' 1/48 M4A3E8 Sherman Tank is very nicely done.  We like the sharp detailing on that engine cover!

Of course 1/48 is a popular scale for model aircraft and Atlantis'  Sherman tank could be displayed with a wwII aircraft model in a diorama.  The Sherman kit comes with four nice military figures.

Diorama modelers take note:  The kit includes four figures in poses that'd be great on a 1/48-scale diorama.

An oblique view of the top deck of that welded Sherman hull.​

We know diorama model-builders who sometimes buy an armor kit not for the vehicle, but for the figures.  These have decent detail and are well-posed.  

The Rear grill and mantlet cover are nicely molded.

The rear deck with vents was really well done.  It compares well to a modern kit.

Super-detailers take note:  Hatches are separate parts (you could scratch-build an interior!).  

Aurora put a lot of effort into their tank kits.  While they were known for engineering their aircraft kits to be simple and inexpensive to produce, the tank kits used the opposite approach.  While not large models, tooling for their early tanks cost more than any of their aircraft kits to that point.  The Sherman was one of their later tank kits; by the time it came out, they'd put their best experience to work making it perhaps their best tank model.

The soft vinyl tracks are nicely done.

However, being tooled in 1968, the modeler can expect a vintage model building experience.  There will be minor sinkholes, flash, mold-parting lines and sprue attachment points to clean up.  we don't anticipate that any of this will be difficult.  The model will look great built out-of-box with a little added weathering, or the contest modeler who enjoys starting with a classic model kit will enjoy adding details.  Nice box art and a high-quality instruction sheet will make the collectors happy as well.

Instructions include technical information about the tank and vintage drawings for the instructions.

The instructions are composed of a handful of diagrams using vintage box art.  The diagrams are clear, but those builders who need step-by-step instructions might be a little intimidated.  So it will definitely be helpful if the modeler has already built a glue-model or two.  Other than some building suggestions, parts have their description along with the number.

Kit decals include WWII-Era US Army markings.

The back of the box has a pretty nice build-up photo of the model.

The side of the box has basic kit specs, a history, and paint colors.

Add an Atlantis Sherman Tank kit to your next Amazon order!

As mentioned, this kit was available in 2021 as a set and we were optimistic that Atlantis would release it on its own.  Well, they've done it and as always, the result is spectacular!  We really like it.  It's one of the former Aurora company classics and checks all the boxes for being a nice overall armor model.  As always, Atlantis had done a good job bringing it back with gorgeous box art, a nice instruction sheet and high-quality decals.  All this at a low price!  The 2Modeler Guys give this kit an enthusiastic Four Thumbs Up!

SPECIAL THANKS TO ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THIS KIT FOR US TO REVIEW AND ENJOY!

BONUS:  ATLANTIS TANK KITS

In 2018, Atlantis Models took possession of much of the historic Aurora Company's legacy tooling.  Almost immediately, Atlantis began releasing some of the former Aurora company's vintage 1/48 tank models.  The Patton tank was among the first.  It had not been available since 1976.  In the years since, Atlantis released additional 1/48 tank models.

To our knowledge, Atlantis' M-109 Howitzer is the only game in town in 1/48-scale.

Altantis' Stalin tank is getting harder to find and prices are going up!

The Chi Ha tank kit is a more recent release that is quickly becoming rare.

The M-109 self-propelled Howitzer was an early Atlantis tank kit.  Aurora did a few unique subjects in 1/48 and the M-109 was one of these--there aren't any other 1/48 kits of this particular subject.  Aurora's Russian Stalin and Japanese Chi Ha tanks were likewise unusual choices for 1/48 scale.  Atlantis re-released these kits a few years ago.  These have since been discontinued and they're becoming rare and hard to find.  Atlantis does re-release discontinued kits.  We're not sure when new runs of these kits will show up again but we'll guess they'll be back again some time!

Atlantis' 1/48 Sherman was released as part of the Air-Land-Sea set, discontinued, and re-released in 2025 by itself.  Buy one on Amazon today!

Atlantis' 8" Howitzer is a nicely engineered artillery piece with a number of articulated parts.

Aurora's Patton was their most expensive piece of tooling at the time it was first engineered.

COMING SOON TO A HOBBY SHOP NEAR YOU!  As of time-of-posting, Atlantis has announced the upcoming release of a 1/48 German Panther tank!

Atlantis' tank kits are inexpensive compared to other 1/48 tank kits.  This makes them perfect for younger modelers or inexperienced armor builders who want to develop their skills.  State-of-the-art when first tooled, they are a vintage build-experience compared to more modern kits, but they're perfect for an easygoing nostalgic build-experience.

​Each of the kits feature vintage Aurora artwork making them desirable for collectors.  Atlantis kits feature high-quality decals as well and they're an unmatched value.  Collect Atlantis' armor kits today!

Atlantis will soon release a 1/48 Panther tank.  After the success of their other tank kits, Aurora released the 1/48 Panther in 1963.  It was last released in 1976--that's 50 years ago for anybody who's counting.  Atlantis is expected to release the kit during the summer of 2026!

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