Recommendation - Sherman Firefly?

I built the Tamiya/Tasca/Asuka Firefly a few years ago.Not sure which company originally did it,but all three company's had boxings of the same kit,which was very detailed and fairly easy to build.I

Tasca/Asuka Sherman's were considered some of the best,I would recommend them.

Tojo72

I built the Tamiya/Tasca/Asuka Firefly a few years ago.Not sure which company originally did it,but all three company's had boxings of the same kit,which was very detailed and fairly easy to build.I

Tasca/Asuka Sherman's were considered some of the best,I would recommend them.

 

Originally made by Tasca, then the company changed names to Asuka. Tamiya did one of their mold swap boxing’s and added a sprue of their stuff into their boxing.

Side note, there are Fireflies made from the different hull types (M4, M4 Composite, M4A4), so if you’re looking for particular variants, that may channel your search.

Rye Field Models has also released a Firefly:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10659850

It's a VC.

Here is a list of kits out there. 

https://www.scalemates.com/search.php?q=M4+Sherman+Firefly*&fkSECTION%5B%5D=Kits&fkTYPENAME%5B%5D=%22Full%20kits%22&fkSCALENORMALISED%5B%5D=%221:00035%22

stikpusher

Here is a list of kits out there. 

 

https://www.scalemates.com/search.php?q=M4+Sherman+Firefly*&fkSECTION%5B%5D=Kits&fkTYPENAME%5B%5D=%22Full%20kits%22&fkSCALENORMALISED%5B%5D=%221:00035%22

 

Dragon, Tamiya, Asuka, Rye Field or other.

Harold

Sergeant

 

 

stikpusher

Here is a list of kits out there. 

 

https://www.scalemates.com/search.php?q=M4+Sherman+Firefly*&fkSECTION%5B%5D=Kits&fkTYPENAME%5B%5D=%22Full%20kits%22&fkSCALENORMALISED%5B%5D=%221:00035%22

 

 

 

 

Carlos, which one of the British Sherman Firefly VC model manufactures below do you feel is the best for a first time 1/35 tank builder? For an experienced tank builder?

 

Dragon, Tamiya, Asuka or Rye Field.

Harold

 

Well I’ve only built the original Dragon Firefly, and can say that one is not for the novice. The tracks are a handful. I can’t say anything about Rye Field, as I’ve never seen those. Tamiya is Tasca/Asuka rebox, and the engineering is advanced. I honestly cannot suggest any for the novice armor builder, unless they have plenty of other modeling experience. In that case, as for the experienced armor modeler I’d say Tamiya/Tasca/Asuka kits. As the boxes say, modeling expereince required.

dazzjazz

I'd like to build one in 1/35th scale. Which kits would you recommend please?

thanks

darren 

 

I too am interested in building a 1/35 scale British Sherman VC Firefly and from what I can tell looking at ScaleMates database the Firefly has the same VVSS suspension assembly as the M4A3, so presumably it will be engineered the same way.

I agree with Carlos (Stikpusher) the Asuka model is definitely designed for advanced builders; however, Rye Field model looks pretty impressive online and may be just as challenging.

Harold

The thing to remember is that Sherman Fireflies were built on a variety of chassises.

There is the Firefly Ic built on the M4 or M4 hybrid chassis.

The more common is the Firefly Vc built on the M4A4 chassis.

The Tasca/Asuka/Tamiya box is your only real choice, but it's $50.

https://store.spruebrothers.com/category_s/2690.htm

Rob Gronovius

The Tasca/Asuka/Tamiya box is your only real choice, but it's $50.

https://store.spruebrothers.com/category_s/2690.htm

 

Harold 

my response as a regular armour builder is to go with the Rye Field Model Firefly.

Their instructions are good and easy to follow, the plastic is quality and well moulded.

Here you will get an honest review and a good look at the kit contents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3-IgwFWm5M&feature=emb_logo

Rob Gronovius

The thing to remember is that Sherman Fireflies were built on a variety of chassises.

There is the Firefly Ic built on the M4 or M4 hybrid chassis.

The more common is the Firefly Vc built on the M4A4 chassis.

The Tasca/Asuka/Tamiya box is your only real choice, but it's $50.

https://store.spruebrothers.com/category_s/2690.htm

 

clear instructions good plastic,no assembly hitches and decent one piece tracks which work fine for a Sherman

wow. Just watched the video. That's a really nice looking kit thanks.

the number of parts is a little intimidating but that's fine.

snapdragonxxx

my response as a regular armour builder is to go with the Rye Field Model Firefly.

Their instructions are good and easy to follow, the plastic is quality and well moulded.

 

Here you will get an honest review and a good look at the kit contents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3-IgwFWm5M&feature=emb_logo

 

Lots of parts can be intimidating. That is a fact, but it is the amount of parts that go to make up the detail that model builders are wanting in their kits now.

If the amount of parts with the tracks bothers you and these can be pretty intimidating then you can go the AM track route.

When I do an armour build my first things are to replace the tracks with metal aftermarket ones. Quite often kit producers don't get the thickness of the tracks right and as most of my armour is German then they need to hang right on the runs. Trying to get thin underweight tracks to look heavy and hang realistically is more work that I am prepared to do, so metal tracks that do the job all in one and just need putting together and painting is the easiest way for me.

Friul have a considerable range of metal tracks for Shermans. Just choose the ones that match the kit ones.

Of course, those who have more knowledge of Shermans than myself will be able to advise better.

http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-12-sherman-t-54e-1-type-i15/

http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-47-sherman-t51-type-i52/

http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-48-sherman-t-48-type-i53/

http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-89-sherman-t-66-type-i97/

http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-127-grizzly-sherman-m4a1-sexton-canadian-track-i223/

http://www.friulmodel.hu/en/atl-131-sherman-t-49-type-track-i227/

The other thing I look at is replacing the kit barrel with a metal one from either Aber or RB models.

Unfortunatly I don't think either of them have one for this kit at this moment in time.

Don't be intimidated by the amount of plastic in the box. There is help here and when you start looking through the instructions.... and spend lots of time doing that BEFORE starting then you realise that when you break things down to the sections (lower hull, suspension, wheels, upper hull, detailing parts, turret, etc.) then things don't seem as bad.

These kits (Meng, Ryefield etc.) with time spent on them come out looking fantastic and always look good in the cabinet.

This is my Meng Panther A.

Ryefield Panther G with clear hull& turret. For some reason I never properly finished this, probably due to illness and it suffered as part of the declutter. It will be replaced and rebuilt!

So there is lots you can get up to with this kit. Just take your time.

James

I have never built a Sherman nut there is a guy at the club i belong to who is a real Shermaholic and he swears by the Tasca kits, lioves em. And haveing seen a few of his build up, they look really nice.

Real G

Rye Field Models has also released a Firefly:

https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10659850

It's a VC.

 

If you look at this link and the instructions, you get a good idea of what’s in store ahead with the kit.

The articulated suspension with real springs- nice if you’re going to be placing the kit on a broken terrain base. Sitting on a simple base or shelf it’s a wasted feature. 

Shaving individual boltheads off a sprue for placement on the Model- overengineering. Why not mold the bolt heads in the proper location in the first place? 

Indy link tracks with jig look no more or less challenging than other M4 family kits of this feature. 

Brush guards option of PE or injection molded. A very nice touch. I prefer the injection molding as the PE parts tend to look too thin compared to brush guards that I’ve seen. Also the rounded contours of the plastic parts are  more accurate than the sharp squared off corners of PE parts. Of course there are those who prefer PE for their own reasons.

Sergeant

 

 

Rob Gronovius

The Tasca/Asuka/Tamiya box is your only real choice, but it's $50.

https://store.spruebrothers.com/category_s/2690.htm

 

The Asuka, Tamiya and Rye Field kits are all in the price range of $50.00 to $75.00 depending on your source.

Harold 

Rob Gronovius

 

What I mean is that you should be able to acquire one for $50 (ish). S/H may be extra or sales tax, but if you can find one locally, that should be the price. Yes, you can pay well over that if you are not careful, but that should be your price point (assuming you are in the USA).

 

 

Darren, since James (Snapdragonxxx) mentioned replacing the tracks that come with Rye Field let me show you what the Friulmodel metal tracks look like installed on an Asuka M4A3 (76) Wet Sherman. I finished painting this Sherman a while ago, but have since added an Accurate Armor antenna made of graphite and I'm in the process of replacing the one-piece rubber tracks with Friulmodel metal tracks.

Neither the metal tracks or the rubber tracks have been painted yet. As you can see there is not a lot of difference as Tojo72 mentioned before, that is because the Sherman did not have much sag like other tanks. In my opinion the Friulmodel tracks look more realistic, but they also cost anywhere from $35.00 to $45.00. After painting I don't think you will be able to tell which is rubber and which is metal on this model.

Harold

You touched a key point there Harold, track sag. Since before WWII US tanks & other AFVs have used a “live” track that inhibits sag. Aside from getting a better articulated look around the sprocket and idler wheels, which you can achieve with any indy link tracks such as Model Kasten or AFV Club, there is no pressing need for Fruils on US AFV kits. WWII German and Russian AFVs is another matter.

many thanks for all the input. So many interesting options - will take a while for me to digest. I think my credit card is in for a bruising. 

BTW,

My interest in the Firefly was piqued by listening to the audio book of 'Tank Action' by Captain David Render, who commanded Sherman's for the Sherwood Rangers. It's a very interesting book, and he details how they would keep the Fireflys slightly back from the action until they'd flushed the Panzers from cover. I have a subscription to Audible and it's available there, alongside the superb two volumes of 'German Aces Speak', and many other WWII titles. 

cheers

Darren. 

I can comment on the Dragon Firefly Vc #6128 kit. The tracks are QUITE a challenge but do look great once assembled. The rest of the kit is very well made with clear casting numbers on the parts. The turret has some really bad seams that require sanding and filling but once addressed the turret looks very good. I'm doing this Firefly in the British Army GB so here are a couple of pictures:

Ugly turret seam

Some stretched sprue as a filler and sanding takes care of the gaps along with Mr. Surfacer 500 for texture enhancement

Most of the track assembled. The decals are also very good.

And remember the Firefly was not US OD but SCC. 15 British OD.

I have heard excellent things about Asuka and have a M4A1 in the stash and looks really good. I also have a Dragon Firefly 1C Welded Hull in the stash  that hopefully does not have the nasty turret seams as in the Vc. The DS tracks on the 1c are falling apart so I will be getting aftermarket ones for it.

dazzjazz

many thanks for all the input. So many interesting options - will take a while for me to digest. I think my credit card is in for a bruising. 

 

https://youtu.be/bRunQZnzugc

https://youtu.be/YlA9ZGmKuao

For myself, I will stay with Asuka rather than Rye Field, not because I think Asuka is better, but it's what I know and feel confident in building. At some point I would like to build a Rye Field model, but not this time around.

Harold

I really appreciate the input from everyone. I will have time this weekend to check out all the suggestions. I hope I can find whichever kit I choose here in Australia and not have to ship from overseas, as Covid has made that quite expensive and slow. 

dazzjazz

I really appreciate the input from everyone. I will have time this weekend to check out all the suggestions. I hope I can find whichever kit I choose here in Australia and not have to ship from overseas, as Covid has made that quite expensive and slow. 

 

Asuka, Firefly in Sydney, Australia:

https://www.creativemodels.com.au/shopmastery.php?cat1=ASUKA+MODEL&cat2=1%2F35TH&cat3=KITS

Asuka, Firefly Metal Barrel in Melbourne, Australia:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303417194326

Rye Field, Firefly in Melbourne, Australia:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/military-vehicles-tanks-rye-field-model-rm-5038-1:35-british-sherman-vc-firefly-medium-tank?zenid=a41574db6e6591a61cb039c94909a8fe

Cheers Mate!

thanks Sergeant

the one in Sydney is out of stock, but I've emailed them

looks like a great build  

Sergeant

 

 

dazzjazz

I really appreciate the input from everyone. I will have time this weekend to check out all the suggestions. I hope I can find whichever kit I choose here in Australia and not have to ship from overseas, as Covid has made that quite expensive and slow. 

 

 

 

 

Asuka, Firefly in Sydney, Australia:

https://www.creativemodels.com.au/shopmastery.php?cat1=ASUKA+MODEL&cat2=1%2F35TH&cat3=KITS

Asuka, Firefly Metal Barrel in Melbourne, Australia:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/303417194326

Rye Field, Firefly in Melbourne, Australia:

https://www.bnamodelworld.com/military-vehicles-tanks-rye-field-model-rm-5038-1:35-british-sherman-vc-firefly-medium-tank?zenid=a41574db6e6591a61cb039c94909a8fe

Cheers Mate!