I just picked up Dragon's Firefly kit (6121) . I knew when I bought it that it has the indy tracks. My question is, can one buy one piece tracks (I think I saw some at Hobbytown before they closed) and which should I buy?
Thanks
Chuck

That's a good question. I'm in the middle of that kit now. I think I'm going to try to be brave and assemble the indy links.

I think that the Friefly was mounted on an M4A2 Tank hull correct?
The tracks that I can recall seeing on a Firefly are the earlier chevron type.
Andrew

Just a point to note. The DML Firefly is based on the M4A4 chasis and is therefore longer than other Shermans, so be careful what tracks you buy. I was reading some posts on another forum (Missing Links) where someone had been caught out by that. The tracks were even supposed to be for the Firefly but were the wrong length. They were the AVF Club T-49's.

This is where you run into problems. The Dragon M4A4 hull is not to scale. It is, in fact, too short and needs to be corrected, so if you didn't correct the hull in the Firefly, then perhaps the Firefly your working on will hbe able to use the AFV Club tracks.

Rob

Sorry, my mistake.
I knew it was the M4A4, duh
The chevron track type is correct thought?

AFV Club has M4 T49 Track. Steel cleat track designed for LONG hulled M3A4, M4A4, Firefly with VVSS bogies. Single band vinyl.

http://squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=AC35028

Hi

The M4A4 hull is TOO LONG! Not too short. But even after it is shortened, it is still longer than other M4 hulls.
Metal chevron track appears to be most common, like the stuff in the Tamiya M4 kit. But that track is too short!!

Academy have some tracks that come with extenders in the M10 17 pounder kits. Maybe you can buy this track directly from Academy?

Your other option is to get the track from a Sherman kit, then make up a half-dozen to ten of the Dragon links, and use those to make the run long enough.

The fix for the M4A4 hull by Dragon is detailed on Mike Canaday's Sherman site.
http://mmcalc.tripod.com/Shermans/Model_FAQ/Modeling_the_M4A4-Firefly.html

If you look on Track-Link there are a couple of Sherman Firefly articles.

Look here for lots of detail including a listing of all track types:
http://web.inter.nl.net/users/spoelstra/g104/index.htm

For other discussions, look here:
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=47208&messageid=1015725038
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=47208&messageid=1014679588" TARGET="_blank"> http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=47208&messageid=1014679588

Do a google search and you'll get lots of info.

Andy

Right you are, Andy, about that track in the Achilles kit. The accessory sprue has the extensions (in hard plastic) needed to make th track fit the M4A4 hull. I don't think Academy sells this as a separate kit, but you may be able to find someone willing to trade some tracks. BTW, those tracks in the DML kit aren't that bad to put together -- just a little tedious.




Again correct, but just to clarify this point for those who may not know their Sherman variants, the overall length of the M4A4 (and M4A6) is supposed to be longer than other Sherman variants. They had to make the hulls longer to accomodate the engines.

I was thinking of getting this kit, should I not?
Andrew

I won one of the DML Fireflies last year. It is a decent enough kit, and in my opinion (FWIW), the DML Shermans are better than the Italeri or Tamiya ones. Not as easy to build, but they have finer details. Their multi piece individual track links are an acquired taste.

As far as the tracks go, my local shop has (had) the two different length AFV Club 3-bar cleat tracks. The longer set is especially designed for the longer hulled M4A4 chassis. Since DML is the only mainstream injected plastic long hulled Sherman kicking around (in at least 3-4 different boxings), I think it's safe to assume that the longer M4A4 vinyl tracks were probably made for the DML kits. Of course, I'm not a Sherman expert nor do I profess to be.

sorry, I knew it was off, I was thinking it was short, but I have been known to be wrong.

Rob

Of all of DML's M4A4 kits, this one is the best. It has the correct horizontal return rollers on the bogies, as well as a few other goodies, including a PE fret. Plus, like most DML Sherman kits, you end up with an instant parts box after you're done with the kit.

As Rob said, AFV Club has a nice set of long, three-bar cleat tracks that are meant for these kits, if you choose not to go with the kit tracks.

Oops, it appears there may be a problem with a few of our ideas. Check out this thread on Missing Links: http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/thread?forumid=47208&messageid=1041812897

Sounds to me that it may be better to go with the kit tracks. Also, RHPS makes nice indy link tracks for Shermans that almost snap together. They are plastic and, if you shop around, can be found for a reasonable price.

I would deffinatly go for the RHPS tracks I think they do have the British chevron out T74? They are real easy to work with I'll do a bottom run of 20 and a top run of 25 After I snap together those links I run some liquid glue along the connectors to make sure they don't vibrate apart as my truck rolls on down the road
Chadus Pig #31 militia commander #:-)

I second that!!!!!

The corrected Firefly is the most accurate kit out there for a British/Commonwealth Sherman for NW Europe. DML fixed most of the problems with the earlier release, and it looks great.

Andy

Coming in late here, but I've becoem a Firefly fan so I'll jump in.

You have all touched on the relevant issues regarding dimensions. Mike canaday's fixes for the lower hull are not difficult; I've done three tanks that way now (Firefly Vc, M4A4 75mm, M50 Sherman on M4A4 hull).

Tracks were usually the British steel chevron on the Vc models. The cuff shape here is more rounded than the US type. One the Ic and Ic Hybrid, the Rubber chevron was also common.

I like the Accurate Armour resin tracks out of Scotland. My M4A4 with the yellow turret top (in the gallery) has them and I like them a lot. Also used them on a Sherman Jumbo and my Firefly Vc. Highly recommended.

Greg

Hi Greg.
Those are resin right? How did you mount them? Are they the continuous runs to mold to the running gear?
I've not used TrackPax yet.
Finally, where did you get them?

Thanks
Andy