Hey guys,

I guys the title says it all... I want to build charmer and balaclava.

For balaclava I'll add the resicast lower wading stacks, for charmer I won't. I have tascas Sherman III early and mid, the early for charmer, the mid for balaclava.

But I can't figure out if charmer has the early or later VVSS.

On a siderite, it seems balaclava has the t54 tracks, I was hoping that Tasca had them, but to no avail. Can't seem to find any around, so all tips are welcome!

Thanks!

Dave

Hi Dave ...Charmer was a Direct vision early Sherman III so you can be almost 100% sure it had the early straight arm return roller..

Rick

Here are some referance pictures of charmer on Archers web site.

http://www.archertransfers.com/AR35173pic.html

Hi guys, sorry for my late reply.

Robert thanks for the info. I guess I don't need knew bogies then and can just use the Tasca ones supplied with the kit.

John, I have the archer decals and know those pics but I can't clearly make up which suspension charmer has on those pics. But thanks anyway.

Any info on where to get T54E1 tracks?

Thanks!

Dave

Hi Dave,

Yes - Charmer has the horizontal roller arms as others have said.

For T54E1 tracks in 1?35 you can build the Bronco ones (if you have a spare month!) or the expensive Panda tracks. Or, you can rob them from a Revell Sherman Calliope kit, regularly selling around £10 if you look hard enough. (I think they are also in the Italeri "Marines" Sherman too.) These will be old-school vinyl, so ends must be melted, and paint adhesion will be iffy at best. Not sure if DML offer them in DS in one of their kits...

Tom

Trouble is Charmer is wearing T49 three bar cleat tracks in those pics on Archer's site. I used AFV Club one piece T49 tracks and think they are lovely.

G

Tom, thanks. DML used to sell them, but apparantely they don't do it anymore. But I've been taking a closer look at balaclava - reason why i need the T 54 tracks - and I was starting to doubt of their are indeed T54... If not, then I can easily buy them at Tasca.

G the tracks are not a problem, I have t49 tracks spare from my Sherman III mid, which I'll build as balaclava. So, I have everything now for charmer. Just need the right tracks for balaclava.

Thanks!

Dave

Oh!

Duh wayne!

I have used Bronco's tracks and Panda's tracks. Panda's are expensive but much much easier to assemble. I glued every other connector as recommended by Panda and they came out great.

Bronco's are really good looking when completed, but boy are they tedious to assemble.

G

Hi Dave,

From the Archer pics Balaclava certainly seems to ride on T54s! (Sharp angles on the cleats, and characteristic holes at each side of the pads, just inboard of the end connectors, as well as lack of any bolts on the pads.)

There are subtle differences between T54 and T54E1 etc, but they are a world away from T62 tracks - the "other" metal-chevron option common at the time. Mind you, the cleats look almost worn out in those pics...

Tom

Yeah Tom, I know, I guess it was more like wishfull thinking.

Maybe I'll find some t54 from DML on eBay... Or maybe someone has a spare they want to sell.

The search continues.

Dave

Hi dave

Any updates to Charmer?? I am going o build Comrade.

Eugene

Here is the photo and most of the features you wish to identify are clear on this pic:

Straight arm VVSS, T49 track DV hull. Going by the Mantlet cover I would say this vehicle has the early M34 narrow mantlet

Al

Hello Eugene, I just received the Tasca kit for Charmer, so I haven't started this project yet.

I'll probably will continue somewhere in February, together with balaclava.

Do you want to do a duel build? Charmer and Comrade?

Al, thanks for the info.

Dave

Dave

I would love too.But 2 things are hampering this exciting invite.
#1 Im currently in Afghanistan and wont return till late summer.
#2 I have never built an armor kit yet. I started a Tamiya Panther as a get my feet wet kit but then came here. So I have zero armor skills. I have been doing nothing but research and planning for builds. But when I get back if you havent started Charmer. Ill jump off the High Dive. and try to do Comrade with you.

Regards
Eugene

Hello Eugene,

Don't worry about the first, by the time I'm probably start on Charmer it's gonna be late summer.

And the second, it's all about having fun. So, the only thing you can do wrong, is doing nothing at all.

Why your interest on Sherman's? And then especially British armor like Charmer and Comrade which probably only 2% know here on the boards...

Dave

Ps I meant dual build, not duel