I'm thinking about ordering one of Tasca's two Firefly kits in a Normandy dio, and would like to know more about each.

TA 35-009 is the Vc. What markings does it have? And how is it different from--

TA 35-011 is the Vc with cast cheek armor. ???? You Sherman guys know what that means, but we amateurs don't.

While I've got your attention, what's the story with TA OL-2 British Sherman III w/cast driver's hood - Italian Front. I know some of these had sand camo over black, so that's pretty unusual.

Thanks in advance for any advice on these.

Hello Bill .. while i cant help you with the differences between the two Firefly's i can give you the decal info you need ..i have the VC with out the cast armour .. heres the units you get to choose from

A Squadron , 24th Lancers , 8th Armoured Brig , June 1944 Normandy

' BELVEDERE' B Squadron, Staffordshrie Yeomanry , 27th Armoured Brig , July 1944 Normandy .

1st Squadron , 2nd Armoured Regt, 10th Armoured Cavalry Brig , Polish 1st Armoured Div , Spring 1944 UK .

C Squadron HQ , New Zealand 20th Armoured Regiment, 4th NZ Armoured Brig , April 1945 Italy

Hi Bill,

Far as I can tell, the only difference between OL-2 and the cast-hoods kit (35018) is the decals. All the detail differences like the narrow gun mantlet come as options in both kits. I assume the instructions tell which parts to use...

Tom

The VCs were completed with two types of turrets. They either used the early "low bustle" model that had the right front wall machined away to clear some turret equipment or the later type (often called "thickened cheek") that had the right front recontoured to move the wall further out to clear. If the early type was used the VC would've had the applique armor on the turret; the later type did not need it. The early type always had a pistol port; the later type generally didn't.

"Thickened cheek" is something of a misnomer as both turrets were cast with the same armor basis. The later type was not made thicker (so that the machining would not impact the armor basis) rather the wall was relocated so that it didn't need to be machined at all.

KL

Bill,

AFAIK, there were essentialy 4 variations or of Firefly VC that served in Normandy. The most notable difference between them being the various turrets used. Kurt gives a good description of the two types of turret used above.

In terms of appearance there were:

1.VC's with the welded up pistol port.

2.. VC's with the so-called cast cheek armour and no Turrret Pistol port as represented by Tasca's 35-009.

3. VC's with pistol port as represented by Tasca's 35-011 and no cast cheek armour

4. Some, although quite rare as Mark Hayward states in his book Firefly, had Applique Cheek armour.

Also, both Tasca kits come with the T62 track type which seems to have been the most common type used but also seen were VC's with the T48 rubber block tracks as well.

I believe there were a few with different muzzle breaks as well. ie.some of the 17 pounder muzzle breaks had circular openings whie others had square openings, the square ones being the less common. Both are included in each of the kits.

The hulls were all based on the sherman V or M4A4 as the Americans referred to them.

Check your references or pictures when deciding which tank to do.

David

The guys have it covered Bill!

The only thing I would add is that the seahorse decals of the Staffs Yeomanry supplied in the Vc kit without cast cheek armour are unfortunately incorrect.

In a rare Tasca error they are reversed.

Chris

Thank you, Gents, for the help. Does someone have the kit WITH cheek armor so I can know the decalling options? TIA

Well I don't have the kit Bill, but I can find that out at www.1999.co.uk/eng/plamo (very handy site and great service, I have no business links with them, just a happy customer)

According to the scans of the guide on there:

13th/18th Hussars Normandy July 1944

'Alakeefek', County of London Yeomanry, Villers Bocage

C Sqn, 3rd RTR, Holland

144th RAC (sic) July 1944 Normandy


Chris

Thanks, Chris. That might just be the one.

That's a dead link on my computer, BTW.

My mistake Bill, it should be

www.1999.co.jp

Yes, this link works. Thanks so much, I think I'll get the 011 kit. May pick up either the El Alamein and/or British Sherman III w/cast driver's hood OL-2 as well.

Hi,
One of the options is the well known 'Allakeefek' if I remember correctly.
Stu

I have both in the stash Bill and they are lovely looking kits

In fact the only British Sherman they do that I don't have is the Firefly with cast cheek armour

Is it me, or is there an echo in here