I did quite a bit of work on this one already. A bit disappointing and labor intensive for a very expensive kit. It may be accurate but it is not that well designed as a model. I replaced the kit barrel with an aftermarket metal barrel. That was too heavy for the delicate mantlet mechanism so I had to build up a brace inside the turret to make sure the barrel wouldn't sag. I then found the rubber band kit tracks unsatisfactory. The rubber was too soft so it allowed the sections to pull apart too much and left excessive gaps when wound around the front drive sprocket. I tried aftermarket multi-link workable track in plastic but the mechanism to join each link to the next was too complex for plastic. The poor precision offered by tiny plastic pieces glued together meant that the guide teeth ended up not lining up precisely, which looks very unrealistic of an M4. Finally, I bought and finished after market rubber tracks and these look good but I have set them aside for now.

I plan to do stowage on the back that will include a folding paratrooper's bicycle. This will be a first for me but I think it will add interest. I have seen photos of Canadian Shermans in Italy with such bicycles strapped on. It will be fiddly work to do the spokes but should be worth the effort.

I will add pics as work progresses.

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

I have another Tasca Sherman kit, the El Alamein version. You mentioned that you found aftermarket rubber band tracks that are suitable. What brand?, I want to get some of those for myself. I will get more than one set because I have an RFM Firefly kit and I have NO intention of attempting to construct the plastic jigsaw puzzle that make up the tracks for that model. Nice work so far, the bicycle will be a nice touch!

Hi Colin! This is another kit we have in common. I have the Tamiya rebox in the stash. I don’t do a lot of tanks but have always liked the Firefly.

That's great, John - I hope you build it. I really like the Firefly. IMHO, it is the most aesthetically balanced Sherman ever built, even if they had to turn the gun sideways and cut out the turret to get it to fit! Since I am no German armor aficionado or fan of all things German, I am pleased to think of the way the Firefly evened out the odds on the battlefield. I prefer to think it was the Canadian Fireflies of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers who finally got "ace" Wittman in his Tiger. Do you know this doc? It is very thorough and has some new battlefield archaeology behind it. Also rather compassionate, all things considered.

Just saw your reply, Jim. Glad you found the info valuable. Check out the video, You will find it interesting, I think.

Thanks, Louis, I appreciate your input and your are quite right about the road vs battle tracks. For what its worth, I think there might have been some manufacturing differences besides the the rubber coating (not all pics shown here and the AFV club tracks chevrons are not so padded-looking). Anyway the aftermarket tracks work well for a tank in battle conditions , I think.

I hope you watch the video. Norm Christie is a bit of a hero of mine, given that he came to military history later in life after a more conventional career in business as a metallurgical engineer. He has written 17 books of military history. He is following his passions into these Breakthrough Productions investigative docs and does a masterful job reconstructing events in the most rigorous manner.

The Typhoon attack theory is discussed in the doc as well as the Staffordshire Yeomanry theory. Both are cast in doubt by the detailed evidence. The Canadians were the best positioned by far and were still around to bear witness in compelling detail.

Loved reading about those track chevrons, @coling!