AntPhillips

The problem with the tracks that M3talpig refers to, is that Tamiya moulded the end connectors fitted to each track pad rather than overlapping and thus linking the track pads, they also did the same thing on their M3 Grant tank

Hi John, IIRC the AFV Club kits (apart from the IDF versions) all have the same basic hull parts, I've just had a gander on Scalemates but they don't have instructions uploaded for the Korean War kit as yet, but there is a review on YouTube https://youtu.be/H-S0m40tkpI there are shots of the instructions in the video and they show the sprue plans and the main sprues seem to be similar to the Aussie kit. Eduard do a set of Bazooka Plates, they are designed for Tamiya kit but I've tried them against the AFV kit parts and they should fit with the minimum of fettling. I've used an Aussie kit to build a late version. In my files, I've got a list of versions, as most of the later Mk.s were ugraded from earlier Mk's. I'll post the details when I can.

Fabulous builds and I also think the A13 has the perfect amount of weathering too. I'm actually just building both of these kits, the A10 was a part built that I got off eBay, the previous owner had built the hull, half the suspension and the basic turret but had obviously become disillusioned with the photo etch parts as the exhaust cover was mangled and I couldn't save it, but I've contacted Bronco and have literally just had an answer and should have a new set of etch parts winging it's way to me soon, best thing about this purchase was though, that it came with a copy of Peter Brown's Camouflage and Markings book on the A9 & A10, which is worth far more than I paid for it and the kit together. The A13 will be all my own work, but I have only just made a start on it whilst I await the replacement etch for the A10 from Bronco.

If it's any where as good as his A9 & A10 Cruiser Tank book then it will be worth purchasing, judging from the photos on PMMS it looks a perfect complement to Mr Haywards Firefly bible

When the first 17 pdrs came on the scene under project Pheasant they were fitted to 25 pdr gun carriages as there were delays with the bespoke ones, was this a case of better in the field on an unsuitable carriage than not in the field at all.

On the full size Chally the track skirts are an intercangeable item, the up-armour blocks aren't normally fitted for peacetime training, but are fitted when the tanks are operated in an area where there are IED or RPG threats. At the present time only the 3 early Trumpeter kits (kit #00308 Challenger II, #00323 Op Telic #00345 KFOR Kosovo) include the zig-zag skirts, Trumpeter modified the tooling for the better in the Enhanced Armour kit (#01522), but didn't include the original sideskirts in the revised tooling. When RFM first showed the sprue layout for their forthcoming kit it included the zig-zag skirts but they then disappeared from subsequent images, I suspect they may be included in a future release.

Pocketbond are the UK importer for Academy

The Tamiya kit represents an Operation Telic era tank complete with armour panels and side dust skirts, the Trumpeter Enhanced Armour kit represents a slightly later spec with as the title suggests the extra enhanced armour on the turret and bar armour around the rear quarters. Rye Field Models are on the verge of releasing the latest spec version, if it's as good as their recent Sherman, it will be very good.

Great looking build and a lovely finish.

Sorry to hear about the health issues John, hope you can get it sorted and back to modelling soon.

Looks great John, Shermans are certainly addictive. I've got 3 on go at moment, the Frankensherman M4 105mm is just nearing the primer stage I'll have to update the my build thread to show latest progress, there's also a very old original issue Dragon Sherman Vc in NZ Italian markings that needs tracks and some serious weathering, and an Italeri M4A1 that will become a Queens Bays Sherman IIb in the same markings as the one you built a while back, and I suddenly find that there are at least 6 or 7 more in the stash.

Just out of interest I checked out the HPK-Modellbau webpage and as of today they have shut up shop and are permanently closed. Such a shame that conversion set looks the dogs dangly bits.

Superb modelling as always Dan, got to love all those little tie downs, they are a PITA but its little details like those that turn a model into a masterpiece.

Sorry to hear about your mum Dan, it's no consolation right now, but time is the great healer, in recent years I lost both my brother to cancer and shortly thereafter my mum passed away after a lengthy period of dementia. Take all the time you need, we'll still be here when the time is right and the modelling is a great way to distract yourself when you need to. Take care and best wishes. Ant

Just thinking out loud, could they be for a movie project, don't know if theres anything in the offing?

There are actually lots of alternative aftermarket tracks for the Cromwell, available in plastic from Modelkasten, SKP and Hobbyboss and in white metal from Friulmodel, Masterclub and Spade Ace. I've got a set of Modelkasten and Friuls (I only picked these up last week), but haven't got around to using either yet as the Cromwell is sitting awaiting completion on the "Shelf of Queens", but as I'm in the process of trying to finish of all the Shelf Queens I might get round to them pretty soon.

Why not try the Airfix (Academy) M3 Stuart Honey, its relatively cheap (about £20) is reasonably accurate and nicely detailed, and its not too big either. If you search t'internet theres plenty of reviews and builds including here on Britmodeller, its an Academy original but has also been released by Italeri (in M3A1 guise) and now by Airfix. Link to Scalemates page here: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/airfix-a1358-m3-stuart-honey--1190144

All hail ICM and their penchant for British WW2 softskins, I wonder if this one will find its way into a Revell box like its bigger brother.

For whatever reason the availability of Asuka kits is pretty appalling (well certainly in the UK, maybe elsewhere too). I'm with Das on this one, it seems to me that they are trying to get around this lack of market penetration by linking up with other companies that already have large distribution networks e.g. Tamiya and Academy. Unfortunately, it doesn't help that even if you can find them, the kits are generally priced on the high side, it's no wonder that the likes of RFM and Meng have spotted a gap in the market and are producing kits that are the equal at least of Asuka and are pitching them at a slightly better price. I've bought 2 Asuka kits in the last 2 months, a Sherman V from a UK source and a Sherman Ic Firefly from Poland, both cost just a shade under £50.00 each, the RFM Firefly I had last week was £43.00 from China and I see their now going for less than £40.00, and some UK sellers are listing them at similar prices. In this global market age that we live in, it seems there is quite a lot of mould sharing going on, Revell reboxing Hasegawa & ICM kits fairly regularly, Airfix reboxing Academy armour kits, who knows we might even see Asuka kits in Airfix boxes at some point.

I'll second that, the Bronco kit looks good straight out of the box, but has a few details that are on the soft side that can be improved to make it that bit better, notably grab handles that are moulded solid, and as John already mentions the mantlet cover as most pics show this fitted. I've got a shelf queen of one of the second edition kits with the separate link tracks in plastic instead of the rubber bands in the first edition kits and to fair to Bronco they assemble easily and are pretty effective, I like the look of those Masterclub tracks though, might have to get a set of those if I get another Comet.

I wholly agree, it's a tiny step up but it's by no means leaps and bounds ahead. I certainly wont be disposing of the Asuka kits.

Well I pre-ordered the kit from my favourite Chinese Supplier, and it arrived yesterday, I've posted some pics below of a comparison of the new kit against the generally acknowledged best kit at present from Asuka. The RFM parts are grey and the Asuka parts are Olive I've also included a photo of the parts for the M2 .50 cal Browning, again against the Asuka parts. Personally I think RFM might just have pulled it off and bettered the current standard. If anyone wants any more specific comparison shots let me know and I'll get some done.

What the guys above have said is correct, but just to expand further: If you're enlarging an existing drawing on a copier then enlarge by 114.3% If you're taking measurements off a drawing to transfer elsewhere then multiply by 1.143

Some good stuff going on with the stowage, looks like you'll beat me to the painting stage.

I managed to grab an hour or so with Frank (my new oh so obvious name for the Frankensherman) and managed to get the sponsor fillers made, a task made harder due to the mismatch in thickness of the resin and injection moulded part, but they're done now and will just require a dab of filler to blend them in once I join the upper and lower hulls, which isn't far off now, pics below: I've also been fiddling with these too, the plastic is from the Academy US Machine Gun set, with brass barrels and details for the .50 cals from RB models, not sure yet whether to go with a .30 cal, .50 cal or no gun at all in the AA mount, the Star decal instruction shows a .30 cal but not in the usual position and the only photos I've found seem to show that no gun is more common on the Sherman Ib. More to come soon.