GHQ Models Forums

Cama - At 1/285th scale, the M4A4 would be about 0.04" (four hundredths) of an inch longer than the other models. Unless your players include precision machinists, I doubt they will notice the difference. By the way, I have been a machine operator at a precision metal working shop, and I can't judge such small amounts by eye. (That's why we use calipers and micrometers).
So unless your British Shermans are painted in desert colors, go ahead and use them. And if it's a one off game, use them anyway. My American 155 field artillery battalion is painted and marked as the 969th, but no players have ever remarked on the unit designation. The actual unit was in NW Europe, but I've used them in games set in other theaters of operation.
Groundlber

Sheesh! It's not like we're talking Panthers here; any old Sherman will do

Cama:

I think you'll be OK with the A4s as stand-in A2s. If you want to satisfy the local Mr. Picky, you might try to flatten the engine decks. The Shermans M4A4 had an access panel that was not present on the M4A2. Or, to make life easier, you might just toss some stowage or camo netting on the engine decks to cover up the offending openings. Or you might just kiss off the issue and spend the time looking for opponents instead.

The late-war M4A4 models might be your best choice. Sherman deliveries didn't get rolling until the second half of 1943, so most were not the 1st gen models. Lots of pictures show Soviet LL Shermans with the applique side-plates.

Also you might want to get some turrets from the late war M4A1 kits. About half of the M4A2s delivered to the Soviets had the 76mm gun in the T23 turret. But there were no M4A3s delivered, and most (though not all) of the M4A2-76s delivered did not have the muzzle brake on the gun. So the M4A1 turret added to the M4A4 hull should be a good choice.

Inbound wrote:Sheesh! It's not like we're talking Panthers here; any old Sherman will do

BURN THE HERETIC!

Ahem. Um. Right. Sorry 'bout that. Gotta keep taking them meds on the prescribed schedule, you know...