Introduction

I have come to believe that bogies on Sherman and Sherman variants is no exact science. While there seems to be an assortment of photographs and lists of what came from the factory, there is an assortment of photographs that will prove that wrong. When Montreal Locomotive Works were tasked to build the Sexton SPG, it was based on the Grizzly chassis that was currently being built at MLW. These Sherman M4 variant chassis were built with the Canadian built Heavy Duty bogies. These bogies are most distinguishable by the larger “fins” on the front of the bogie.

With the release of the 25pdr Sexton II by Dragon in recent months, there was a lot of discussion over the correct configuration, with the bogies being a major topic. Enter Resicast with two new options for the correct bogies for the Sexton. Resicast has produced two sets of resin cast bogie replacements for the Dragon kit:

35.2356 – Sexton Heavy Duty Canadian Bogies Type A
35.2358 – Sexton Heavy Duty Canadian Bogies Type C

Contents

Two of the latest releases from Resicast are these great looking bogies. The parts come in a small plastic bag, inside a slightly larger bag with instructions. Both sets are cast in a beige colored resin and each set contains six bogies parts to replace the kit parts, as well as skid plates. The Resicast bogie replacement is only the suspension housing and return roller cast as one part and a separate skid plate. The builder will need to use the wheel arms of the bogies from the Dragon kit. The parts are very well cast, with great looking detail, and including cast numbers. While the return roller is cast as part of the bogies, it is very well done, and does not look “molded” on.

Review

With both sets, the kit wheel arms will need to be modified for use of the Resicast bogies. While the Resicast bogies do not build up like the Dragon kit parts with separate springs, they do look great, and will really improve the look of the Sexton model kit. In a way, the use of the Resicast bogies looks to improve the assembly of the sometime daunting build of the Dragon bogies.

Resicast is offering two different sets of the Heavy Duty bogies, a Type A with an angle return roller arm and Type C with a horizontal return roller arm. Looking at photographs, I have found that both were used on Canadian and British Sexton’s. I was unable to determine if this was done by production lot, nor if the use of either type was based on the country receiving the vehicle.

Also included in both sets are new skit plates, which can be used to replace the kit provided parts. These are the later style of skid plates for the bogie, and again looking at reference images,

I found some of the Canadian Heavy Duty bogies did have both the late and mid style skid plates. So the builder will need to determine which version will be required for the specific vehicle they are building. It should be noted that the mid style skid plates are included in the Dragon kit, if needed.

Overall either one of these two sets would be a great addition to your Sexton build (and if they ever release a Grizzly). Both sets are very well cast, with great detail, and represent the Canadian built Heavy Duty bogie. I highly recommend both sets, they are a must addition to the Dragon Sexton kit.

Note, I will be starting the Sexton build very shortly, with the build covered on Armorama, in which I will make use of these great looking bogies from Resicast.