Hi all.

I'm very confused. I'm trying to find out which track is correct for a British Sherman Firefly V C of the D-Day period...is it T-56 E 1 or T62?

I can't seem to tell what the difference is between the two types as all the photos of them seem very similar?

Thanks in advance!

I always thought it was the T48 track? **EDIT**

Although the Fruili listing suggestes its the T56 E1

Paul

I don't know the catalog number, but I believe it's the track with sort of curvy steel bar cleat, and three rivets. But as all track types were interchangeable, you could see mixed types (from repairs) on the same tank.

Clear photos can be viewed here:

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/tracks/vvss_tracks.html

Like others have said, they were designed to be interchangeable. However, M4A4s (and their subsequent Firefly VC upgrades) were manufactured at the Chrysler Detroit Tank Arsenal, its main supplier for this line provided T-62 tracks during most of, if not the complete, production run. Thus, the vast majority of contemporary photos show M4A4s and Sherman VCs with the T-62 tracks. Exceptions weren't uncommon as noted.

Thanks guys. Yes Friel says it's the T-56 E 1, but like you said above,the T62 seems to be correct too.

I honestly can't see what the difference between the two types of tracks is? They look identical to me?

The T62s have the characteristic 3 rivets



Here's what the T56E1s look like (different chevron shape, notches for bolts, openings at outer edges of link's face)

Thanks Roy. I think Friul has made a mistake with the labelling on their "Sherman Firefly" tracks which they label as T56 E 1 yet they look absolutely identical to the T62s...I can't upload an image as I'm using my smartphone but a quick Google of "Friul she ran firefly tracks" will show you what I mean...

It wouldn't be the first time that a manufacturer mislabelled their items... hahaha.

If you're going to use them, do so with caution. The benefit of using Fruils is evident in stuff like Soviet armor and some German armor -- where the metal links' sag looks great. The issue with US made tanks is that their suspensions had extremely taut tracks. Sagging tracks are very dangerous and would immediately be corrected. Be careful to make your tracks very straight. I never use Fruils for Sherman based vehicles

Thanks! No, I'm not planning on using Friuls, I am ordering a set of Bronco T62s which due to their lightness should be able to remain taut once on the model.

I was asking mainly because on the Friuls box it says "British Sherman Firefly Tracks" and clearly illustrates a section of T62 track but labels them as T 56 E 1...hence my confusion.