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Culin Hedgerow Device
Kit # FB72007 Preview by Rob Haelterman - heman_148(at)hotmail(dot)com

Allied tanks in Normandy were often seen sporting tusks made of cut-up beach obstacles. They came in various shapes and sizes; the names used by FBMinis were apparently coined by S. Zaloga (if I can believe my copy of Steelmasters Hors Série 30 "Normandie, Opération Cobra"), but even more types can be found, for instance in Tank Zone 1, "Sherman l'éventreur".
Set 72007 covers the type "T1", while sister set 72006 covers the "T2". According to the leaflet these would do on a Sherman M4 and M4A1, but they might also work on other vehicles.

You get two hedgerow devices with a slightly different lay-out. (Remember that these cutters were field modifications, made in a rush.)

The parts are very crisply cast in pale resin, with an occasional air-bubble, which doesn't seem to be hard to remedy. The parts come on a sturdy carrier film which protects them from damage. Some careful cutting and sanding undoubtedly would get rid of this. Take care as the fineness of the details will make the parts quite fiddly.
If the "blades" aren't completely parallel, it should not be of concern as they would probably be easily deformed under battle, in as far as they were ever installed with great care, given the pressure the workshops were under. (Some sources state that 600 were installed in ten days.)

While this set would not be impossible to replicate by an experienced modeler, it will undoubtedly save a lot of time and give that special touch to your Sherman.

 

With thanks to FBMinis for the review sample.

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Article Last Updated: 27 December 2009