I would like some opinions to help me determine which tracks to use on my M4A1Early (Dragon), when it arrives and I get to start building. Are the kit tracks (T84) good enough (accurate) or would I be better off using AFV's T84 tracks? Does anyone know if there any real difference between the two?

How does this kit fair OOB? I know there is a company that makes one piece (metal) barrels. Can someone direct me?

Thanks guys.

Hello Darryl,

I'm working on the same model right now, and I can say that the rubber chevron type tracks were used quite often. So you can use the kit's tracks. As for the barrel-question, I've replaced the complete turret by the resin Sherman early turret by Trakz (TX 0074 ).
It has no filling, a very nice sructure, and no square marks from where the Firefly loaders hatch has been...and now for the bonus: it comes with a alu-barrel!!
I paid 13,50 Euro's for it, so that would be approx. $16,-
and I think that's a very reasonable price!!

HTH, John.

Darryl,

there are lots of companies (Tank Workshop, Jordi Rubio, CMD, Eduard, etc.) that make metal barrels for Shermans. I am including a link for Hometown Hobbies store. They have a search function on their home page. Just enter Sherman barrel in the search box and it will return all the barrels they carry. Good luck.

linkname

I am switching my track to AFV Club T49 3bar cleat rubber bands

I am also building this kit for the "One of ours" campaign I am using the AFV Club T-51 rubber block I made my tank into an true early mid and think the rubber block looks more appropriate. I used the individual link type. The kit tracks are ok to use for a mid production and are fine if you don't want to spend the extra scratch. The end connectors are on the big side and a lot more durable than the AFV ones which are rather delicate. If you want to take the easy road go with a set of the AFV rubber band tracks they're cheaper and for a Sherman work just fine as there was no sag to them anyway.

I built mine mostly out of the box with the exception of a CMK mantlet and aluminum barrel. That and Detail Associates bolts and washers. I used the kit turret and just filled the holes in the back for the British equipment box. I use a retexturing technique with putty to resurface the turret so the filled holes disappear anyway. The kit is a real little gem well worth having just for what it does to your spares box. This is mine before paint.

Thank you guys! That helps a lot.