Subject:  
Sherman VC
Firefly
Kit Used: Tasca 1/35

Review & model by:
John Kesner
Pictures: R. Forys





[The Sherman tank more widely used by the British than any of their own designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.] [The Sherman tank more widely used by the British than any of their own designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.] [The Sherman tank more widely used by the British than any of their own designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.] [The Sherman tank more widely used by the British than any of their own designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.] [The Sherman tank more widely used by the British than any of their own designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.] [The Sherman tank more widely used by the British than any of their own designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.]




The American Sherman tank was not only the most important US tank of the war, but was also the most important tank in British service too, as it was more widely used than any of the British designed or produced types from 1943 to 1945.   This occurred because the British tanks with comparable armament, like the Cromwell IV or the Churchill VII were not available for service until the end of 1943, and into the spring of 1944.




[The British idea to up gun their Shermans called for fitting a 17pdr gun into a redesigned turret.]



The first Shermans the British received were mostly cast-hull M4A1 models, (dubbed Sheman II by the British), that went to the 8th Army in 1942, in time for the battle of El Almein.   Shipments of Shermans to Britain continued, with the most numerous model being the M4A4 with the Chrysler Multibank engine.   These were called the Sherman V in British service, and many were destined to be transformed into one of the most powerful allied tanks of the war.




[The Firefly was the only British tank that landed at Normandy which could take on the German Panthers and Tigers on anything close to equal terms.]



The British idea to up gun their Shermans came about in January of 1943, when it was feared that their new model Challenger tank would not be ready in time for D-Day.   The plan called for fitting a 17pdr gun into a redesigned turret, and a prototype vehicle was ready by November of the same year.   By February of 1944, the new conversion now called the Firefly was approved for service.   The Firefly was the only British tank that landed at Normandy which could take on the German Panthers and Tigers on anything close to equal terms, and in reality was probably the most successful expedient design of the war.




[By far, most Firefly conversions were built on M4A4 hulls.]



At first, Fireflys were available in limited numbers, due to the shortage of 17pdr guns, but by early 1945, they had become more numerous.   Firefly conversions were built on M4A1 hulls, (Sherman IIC), and M4A3 hulls, (Sherman IVC), but by far, most were built on M4A4 hulls (Sherman VC).   On all Fireflys, the hull machine gun and gunner were deleted to make room for more ammunition storage.






[In late 1945, a Firefly turret mounted on a M4A3 hull was sent to Aberdeen Proving grounds for evaluation.] [This vehicle is still at APG, and is currently back on display. ]



Interestingly in late 1945, a Firefly turret was sent to Aberdeen Proving Grounds for evaluation.   It was mounted on a M4A3 hull and tested, however the US Army did not adopt it for service.   This vehicle is still at APG, and is currently back on display.






[This is the Tasca Sherman Firefly in 1/35th scale.]



The Kit:  This is the Tasca Sherman Firefly in 1/35th scale.   It is an excellent kit with all parts fitting very well, and absolutely no assembly issues.   Only some minor seam filling was required.   The instructions were also very good.   Basically, the kit is so nice that aftermarket parts are really not needed.   However I did snag a metal barrel from Aber, and decided to use a set of ModelKasten workable tracks, and these proved to be the most difficult part of the entire build.




[I used a set of ModelKasten workable tracks, and these proved to be the most difficult part of the entire build. ]




Truly, it's not that the Kasten track parts don't fit well or fall apart or anything like that, the fact is that each link comprises of nine parts!   Do the math!   They are very labor intensive.   The kit tracks are the basic rubber band type and are really not bad, so when all is said and done, even though I am a big fan of the Kasten tracks, I would have to think long and hard before using this particular set again.   Besides the tracks and barrel, some weld beads were added or enhanced, and the jerry can racks were scratch built.




[The jerry can racks were scratch built.] [The completed kit was painted with Model Master enamel olive drab.]
[It is an excellent kit with all parts fitting very well, and absolutely no assembly issues.] [Some weld beads were added or enhanced.]




The completed kit was painted with Model Master enamel olive drab, and the kit decals, which were very nice, were applied.   This was followed by a standard wash and dry-brushing, and then a light dusting with Mig Pigments.   For reference, I used the Concord release, "British Tanks in North West Europe".   I have to say that I typically don't build Shermans, but this was a very fun kit to build, and from what I have read, it is also the most accurate Firefly on the market today.   It is very highly recommended.




[I typically don't build Shermans, but this was a very fun kit to build.]