| Date of Review |
September 2006 |
| Manufacturer |
DML |
| Subject |
Firefly VC |
| Scale |
1/72 |
| Kit Number |
7303 |
| Primary Media |
190 parts (134 in grey stryene, 54 etched
brass, 2 tan DS plastic track runs) |
| Pros |
Nice, clean kit with new M4A4/Sherman V
hull, tracks and turret; detail rivals 1/35 scale kits; provides
the modeler with the ability to make the model as detailed
as possible |
| Cons |
Brass details are now bordering on the
ridiculous in regard to size and usability |
| Skill Level |
Intermediate |
| MSRP (USD) |
$13.95 |
DML is going great guns on their small scale line, and following
their gorgeous M4A1 mid-production tank they have now introduced
a Sherman VC Firefly of the same level of detail and quality. Up
until now the only small scale Firefly was the ancient Matchbox
one in 1/76 scale, so this is a welcome bit of news for Commonwealth
modelers in 1/72.
The kit basically combines the B and C sprues from the M4A1 kit
(details and mid-production VVSS suspension, with welded road wheels
and "straight" return roller arms with pillow blocks)
with 71 new styrene parts for the hull and turret, as well as two
new DS plastic British pattern steel chevron track runs.
The hull is beautifully done with "Slide Molding" providing
the side details as well as the top and front/rear ones, including
very petite weld bead details (less casting numbers!) and other
niceties. The turret likewise has been "Slide Molded" as
has the gun barrel which has a hollow muzzle brake all the way
through. The radio bin at the rear of the turret comes with three
rectangular plates and is an add-on. Everywhere one looks are fine
details such as bolts, screw heads, weld bead, etc.
All of the armored applique panels are included, three hull, one
turret and the patch over the bow gun port. The only "ding" I
could see was that the trailer hitch was molded in the stowed position
on the side of the rear doors, but unless you are planning on using
an ammo trailer that is pretty minor. All of the crew hatches and
the pistol port are separate parts and can be shown open or shut.
There is no interior detail in the turret.
The transmission cover is the "bolted" three-section
type with separate bolt flanges, which is normal for portraying
this component, and has a choice of cast in or etched brass "ears" for
the tow shackles. Other etched brass components include the taillight
lenses, light guards, part of the tool brackets, and in the RP
(right puny) department, the locking tabs and ears for the hatches.
(These are maybe 0.5 x 1.0 mm.)
Painting instructions and markings via a nice Cartograf sheet
cover four vehicles: 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke
Fusilier Regiment), France 1944;
Unidentified captured vehicle, Germany 1944; Unidentified captured
vehicle, Germany, 1944 (looks like something from a test range,
as I have never seen these markings before!); and the famous "Velikye Luki" from 3 Troop
A Squadron Northamptonshire Yeomanry, France 1944. I am always
a bit surprised with all of the Commonwealth options why two out
of four are dedicated to "captured" vehicles.
Overall, this is a great little model and the equal of the M4A1
released earlier. A good year for armour modelers with a U!
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Sprue Layout
A 36 Firefly turret
A 33 M4A4/Firefly details
B 33 machine gun
and fine details
C 30 Mid-production
VVSS suspension
D 2 M4A4/Sherman
V hull
MA 54 etched brass
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