SPA Modeler

Okay, gents. Who makes a good kit version? First armor build so maybe Tamiya does it? I saw they make Easy Eights in 1/35 so they probably do a Firefly as well. Is it any good, builds easy? I am choosing based on subject but it’s an important one.



Thanks in advance, Tank Men.

No idea on kits but I suspect Tamiya do a nice one...

I'll be watching with interest Bruce, I didn't have you down as a treadhead.

Stuart... I feel I should build at least one tank... it’s a good subject for a build, and look! Tamiya have made a kit!

http://www.tamiya.com/english/products/25174/index.htm

Also, correction to the above—Asuka Model made the tank and its commander figure and Taniya acknowledges this... deep in the fine print. So why not:

Reputedly (amongst our AMPS crew), the best Sherman kits on the market are the Tasca/Asuka kits. Tasca/Asuka makes most of the Firefly variants. Dragon also makes an extensive line of Sherman’s in 1/35, but their older kits are more challenging, while their newer kits certainly venture into the overengineered category. Tamiya also makes a good selection of Sherman’s, that are the most easily built. But their older kits are a bit simplified and lacking a few things. And as already said above, their Firefly is a rebox of the best one out there, the Tasca/Asuka kit.

All that being said, there are three primary versions of the Firefly, differing on hull type used: M4, M4 Composite (or Hybrid), and the M4A4. The latter two are the more commonly seen types.

Great looking Tank the Firefly.

Is there a particular reason for wanting to build one Bruce, or does this type of Sherman just appeal?

speedgraflex wrote:Carlos! Stuart! Apologies, gents—I really need to subscribe to my own thread—again my apologies for being tardy with a response. Thank you, Carlos, for such a superlative review of what is available and to answer your question, Stuart—I was looking at published builds and that one is a great example of weathering details, at least that was in my mind when I copied and uploaded the two images. Maybe I should take them down? Not sure.

Blooming spell check! Sorry Bruce - I've edited my questions.

I will say that the Firefly kit is going to be a bit more complex than the average Tamiya Sherman kit. But it is a great subject choice. If you want British armor that is more typical of Tamiya for quality and ease of assembly I suggest you look at either their Churchill, or Cromwell tank kits. I’ve built both and they are great kits.