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TASCA
Product Specifications.
35-009, British Sherman Vc Firefly. 1/35th-scale styrene/multimedia kit containing 401 injection-molded styrene parts (including 14 clear), 24 vinyl parts, one etched brass fret, one sheet of rubber, four soft styrene track lengths, four decal/markings schemes and 14 pages of instructions in 25 steps.
Introduction.
When Tasca hit the market with a couple of versions of the German Lüchs light reconnaissance tank a few years ago, the quality of the kits served notice that they were going to be a “player” in the field of injection-molded styrene scale models. Several accessory sets, including two versions of the M4 VVSS suspension merely confirmed that perception.
In early 2006, Tasca began releasing information regarding an upcoming series of kits based on the M4 medium tank. Shortly thereafter, they announced that the first release would be an M4A4 Sherman Vc Firefly; this was released early in 2007, to much fanfare. After studying the contents of the box, I would say that fans of this particular AFV will certainly be pleased. This also bodes well for future versions, but I am getting ahead of myself; let’s stick with what we have here.
Tracks.
These are composed of two lengths for each side of the tank, molded in soft styrene (NOT vinyl!!!!!), which can be fixed together using standard styrene cement. They represent T62 steel chevron types and the detail is typical of tracks molded in this fashion: crisp and accurate. They will be easy to assemble and only need four mold pips removed from the inner faces of each section; this can be done with a very sharp hobby knife, with any resulting blemish carefully brushed out with liquid styrene cement. The instructions tell the modeler to cut these items off in step one, but it may be unclear at first glance; regardless, DON’T cut the links, just the pips. Prior to fixing with glue, ensure that the idler wheel axle (a separate part) is doing its job, so the tracks are properly tensioned.
Suspension System.
This is basically the entire VVSS suspension system released a few years ago. It is the initial version of the “heavy duty” type with straight arms for the return rollers, with the rollers raised by a “pillow block”. Two different styles of track skids are provided; these are created using a slide-mold, which allows three of the four mounting bolts to be molded in place; the missing one is on the inner side and will not be easily visible on a completed model. So, the designers made a good compromise. The main units are detailed with casting texture and seams as well as foundry numbers; they only need four small holes drilled on their forward faces to be as complete as can be. There are two styles of read-wheel given: cast with six spokes and welded with five spokes. The cast wheels have separate backs and both styles feature properly-placed grease nipples. In addition, the sprues have tiny rivets molded in one area, which are to be used for the inner rims of the cast wheels. It will be a bit of a chore to remove them and then place them on the wheels (12 for each side of each wheel!), so the modeler may wish to skip that exercise.
The drive sprockets are provided in three styles: two are variations of the open type, while the third is the smooth type. The unused parts will come in handy for other projects, to be sure. The idler wheels are also given in two styles: cast with six spokes and welded with five spokes. The final components for the suspension are the completely-detailed final drives and the adjustable axle for the idler wheels.
Hull.
The hull is provided as separate parts for the belly plate and the side walls, with separate parts for the sponsons. There is a firewall/bulkhead for the inside of the hull, which has some very basic detail; its prime function is to help square-off the hull assembly, although it will certainly come in handy if the modeler wants to install an engine pack and compartment. All of the external surfaces of the hull and sponson panels have the proper details for this version, while the hull sides also have the mounting plates for the VVSS units molded in place.
Up front, there is a 13-part, three-piece cast transmission/final drive cover. This has subtle casting texture, foundry numbers and some drain plug details (there are two that are “MIA”, but these can easily be added with tiny styrene disks). The way in which the parts are broken down allows for the use of this entire assembly to show a removed transmission, should the modeler wish to pursue that end. In addition, wherever there are mounting bolts on the main hull panels, the mating surface on the transmission cover has the corresponding holes. The flanges used to assemble the cover come as two parts per side; when glued together and put in place, the modeler is advised not to eliminate the seam that is created, since it remained visible on the real tank. The final items are separate tow clevises and their mounts.
The rear plate has a cut-out to accept the provided etched brass screen, and it also has separate engine compartment access doors. Typical British fittings like the leaf spring-based tow hook and smoke bomb dispensers are provided as composite styrene/etched brass assemblies. Other items such as separate grab handles for the access doors and the usual tow clevises are given, as are some other detail bits peculiar to this version of the M4A4.
Superstructure.
The superstructure is typical for the M4A4 and is complete with raised weld beads and discreetly-rendered rolled armor plate texture. The cast driver’s hoods are properly-contoured and also have texture and foundry numbers. There is no weld bead detail around the vents or the pot on the glacis plate, while the weld beads on the superstructure side plates could use some enhancement where they meet the glacis plate. A recessed bolt pattern is seen surrounding the turret ring, which itself has no “bayonet mount” cut-outs for holding the turret in place. I prefer this style as it is more visually accurate; the modeler need not worry about the turret dropping out, since the kit’s designers came up with a system to deal with that. See below in the description of the turret.
Every single detail part for the superstructure is separate. Each of the driver’s hatch lids comes in six parts to include: clear periscope heads, flap for the ‘scope heads, counterbalance springs, hold-open catch, lid and inner padding. Separate filler caps, fuel tank vent covers (with etched brass screens), lifting rings, mushroom vent and deflector plates help detail the main assembly. The engine deck comes as three separate panels and includes a separate filler cap for the forward-most section.
The rear plate is also separate and features excellent and complete details beneath the overhanging section, including deflector plate, shrouds and grating. The only shortcoming is the exhaust pipe fish-tails, which are solid at their ends. The way the parts were placed on the sprue would have made adding opened ends rather easy, so deletion of this particular detail is perplexing to say the least.
All tools are separate and there are also the typical British features seen on these tanks included, such as: fire extinguishers, first-aid kit box, large stowage box for the rear plate, spare track links and stowage frames, and gun travel lock for the 17-Pdr. Generic items such as tail-lamps, head-lamps (with separate clear or solid lenses) and brush guards (in styrene or etched brass) are naturally included. Up front, two different blanking plates are given for the bow machine-gun port (all the parts for this are also given, so save them for other Sherman projects); these will need weld bead details added.
A complete set of appliqué armor plates are provided for the driver’s hoods as well as for the superstructure sides. Those on the sides have weld bead details “all round”, but there should be none present on the bottom edges. A complete set of multi-part styrene sand shields are given (a first for an M4A4 kit in this scale), as well as etched brass mounting strips for use if the shields are not fitted. Separate fenders are provided for the front end but not for the rear. Finally, and another first in styrene (as far as this reviewer is aware), is the provision of the mounts for the so-called “Houseboat” disguise. This consisted of canvas stretched over a frame, which at a distance, would disguise the tank as a lorry (truck), thereby concealing its true identity from prying eyes.
Turret.
The turret is a typical low bustle type with the modifications made to mount and service the 17-Pdr. main gun. The upper shell comes from a slide-mold, so the pistol port opening is cast in place (the lid is separate and comes with an internal latch); some work will be needed to remove a mold seam and add texture to the area. The lower part comprises the turret ring, which has a unique way of locking onto the superstructure using three tiny tabs that are molded in such a way as to be “springy”; the entire assembly is pushed in and then they will expand to hold everything in place.
All periscope assemblies are separate and include clear ‘scope heads and separate covers. The commander’s cupola is made up of a total of nine parts to include clear periscope heads. The hatch lids are very well-detailed but there are a couple of ejector pin marks that will be visible if they are left opened up; they are in a slightly difficult area to reach, but they are subtle and with care will disappear. The loader’s hatch lid is also a separate multi-part affair that includes separate internal head pads, counterbalance assembly, and two-part external bump stop. Many small separate detail parts are given for the turret to include the blade and vane sights for the commander, compass base, British-style radio antennae bases and an optional search-light. The usual lift rings are separate parts, while the tie-down strips for the vehicle’s camouflage net are provided as etched brass items.
The mantlet for the 17-Pdr. gun is very nicely detailed and includes a separate .30 cal. machine-gun with internal detail; it comes from a slide-mold so the bore is already opened. The inner mantlet has foundry numbers on one side and some nice recessed screw head detail. The main gun is conventionally-molded in two halves (but without any positive means of alignment, such as pips or strips)) and includes two styles of muzzle brake, also in two halves each. The main gun can, of course, elevate provided the modeler is careful with the glue. There is an appliqué armor panel for the “cheek” of the turret (in front of the gunner). The final feature of the turret is the armored box for the radio. This is given in two versions (with three square or three round vent covers on the top plate. In addition, there are parts to construct the box in two ways; one has the side plates extending past the rear plate, while the other has the rear plate extending past the side plates. Either top plate can be used with either design, but the modeler should check references (as well as the kits instructions) carefully to see which type his tank features.
Figure.
A full figure of a British/Commonwealth tank commander is given. He comes in four parts: legs and torso, arms and head. He wears a beret and typical summer battle dress and has his holster molded on him. Detail-wise, he is more reminiscent of a plastic figure seen in the 1980s or 1990s, which translates into “adequate”. He has a couple of sink marks (one on his back, in the middle of a clothing seam, and another on the back of one leg), which will need attention.
Molding, Fit and Engineering.
Overall, the molding is excellent with no shrink marks and almost no flash present on any parts. Mold seams are restrained and easy to eliminate, while ejector pin marks are unseen on the finished model, with the exceptions as noted above. I dry and wet fitted several of the main components of this kit and the only fit issue is at the point where the inner bulkhead, hull side walls and sponson plates intersect. I advise careful test-fitting until the modeler is satisfied; the best place to start is on the lower edges of the overhanging segment of the inner bulkhead part. I was also not thrilled with the engineering of two halves of the 17-Pdr. gun tube.
Accuracy.
Using the plans in reference number 2 as a guide, the parts in the kit appear to be extremely accurate in size, shape and placement of details. Likewise, the details peculiar to this variant have been captured extremely well. The only problem with this kit is some omissions. For example, the stowage box typically fitted to the radio box is not provided and neither are antennae for the two bases. Tow cable ends are provided and a diagram to help measure the cable is seen on the last pages of the instruction sheet, but no material for the cable itself is provided in the kit. Since there is no parts map given, it is impossible to know if mine was simply missing, or it was in fact not provided.
Instructions.
These are well-presented as traditional line drawings. The steps are broken down logically and in enough sub-steps to make assembly easy. A separate four-page leaflet is provided for painting and decal placement, with colors keyed to Tamiya and Gunze products.
Decals and Markings Information.
The decals are provided by Italy’s Cartograf, which nowadays seems to be everywhere! And, with good reason; they are crisply-printed, are in perfect registration and have sharp edges to all details. The carrier film is thin, matte and cut very close to the designs. Markings for four tanks are provided, including:
I could only confirm the markings for T148495. However, just because I could not find any photos of the other three (I looked!) there is no reason to think they are anything other than correct. There are also sets of generic British Census Numbers (T-12345, etc.) for the more adventurous amongst us. Overall, although nicely-executed, the markings are rather uninspired, especially when one considers the wide variety of markings seen on contemporary photographs.
Conclusion.
Overall, this is another outstanding effort from Tasca. It is well-engineered, very accurate and includes almost all of the items seen on a Firefly. Hopefully, we’ll see more M4 variations from Tasca sooner than later (please!). But until then, this release will do rather nicely.
Highly recommended.
Frank V. “Curly Stooge” De Sisto
References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to:
1. “Sherman: A History of the US Medium Tank”, Taurus, by R.P. Hunnicutt.
2. “Sherman Firefly”, Barbarossa Books, by M. Hayward.
3. “British Tanks of WW II (1)”, Concord 7027, by D. Fletcher.
4. “British Tanks of WW II (2)”, Concord 7028, by D. Fletcher.
5. “British Sherman Tanks”, Concord 7062, by D. Oliver.
6. “Sherman VC M4A4 Firefly”, Museum Ordnance Special 19, by D. Fletcher.
7. “The Sherman in British Service 1942-45”, Osprey Vanguard 15, by J. Sanders.
8. “British Tank Markings and Names”, Squadron 6021, by B.T. White.
9. “Walk Around M4 Sherman”, Squadron 5701, by J. Mesko.
10. “M4 Medium (Sherman)”, AFV Weapons Profile #29, by P. Chamberlain & C. Ellis.
11. “M4 Sherman”, Osprey Modelling 14 (old series), by R.H. Cabos & J. Prigent.
12. “Modeler’s Guide to the Sherman”, Ampersand, by P. Harlem.
13. “M4A4 (75mm) Sherman V”, Allied Command Productions’ Military Vehicle Workshop Series MV-03, compiled by S. Arnold.
Tasca kits are available in the USA from their distributor, Dragon USA. For details, see their web site at: DragonUSAonline.com.
