Started this a while back but now I have a question before I paint the running gear. The idler has no rim but I’m guessing that it’s still a rubber surface and not steel. Need someone to confirm. Thanks.
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Iirc the idler wheels were all steel, I recall a picture of one without a track and the contact surface of the idler was quite shiny.
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VVSS idler wheels were all-steel, no rubber tyres. The HVSS idlers did have rubber tyres, though.
As Colin said, the paint usually rubbed off the idlers, certainly on the rims and likely the whole “running” surface when used with all-steel tracks. It also rubbed off the metal rims of the roadwheels.
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Thanks.
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Been at this for a while and finally got the running gear fitted to the lower hull. While overall the kit is very nice with good fit etc. However, the assembly of the suspension is overly complicated in my not so humble opinion. Each of the suspension units is 11 pieces plus 4 more for the swing arms on the wheels. Two of the pieces in each assembly are metal springs designed to articulate the completed unit. Tracks are workable individually links. As usual tedious to clean up and assembly but they are nice when finished.
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There are some ejector pin nodules in the kit that you can use instead of the springs, if you want a non-workable suspension at the normal ride height:
There are exactly enough of these in the kit: one per return roller (since the kit gives you two versions of those).
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Assembly complete. Painted, gloss coated, descaled, and second gloss coat to seal the decals. All the details painted. Next up, weathering.
Minor glitch during painting. After the post shading I thought everything thing was too light and washed out. Applied a filter of a darker green several times to try to get it back to more of the original color. With a dark wash everything should turn out ok and look right.
Aside from the issue with the running gear being too complicated the rest of the kit went smoothly.
Can’t seem to upload any photos. Getting an error uploading message. Anyone else experiencing this? I’ll try again later.
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I was, and still am:
The reply there directed me to:—
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Ahh. Thanks. Missed that post.
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Thats a great idea Jakko.I will bear that tip in mind
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Ive dropped hints with my wife for Christmas as she asked if i wanted a model.I do like the Sherman V and VC Firefly.I like to sit of an evening with a tray on my lap and i have a couple of hours cleaning up track links like these.Gets the chore out of the way,Ive got a Dragon VC Firefly and those tracks can be a devil without due care and attention assembling them.
Richard
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I’ve only assembled Dragon Sherman track to put onto a Churchill as extra armour, and I already know I don’t want to be making a full set for a tank 
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Photos. Still can’t upload but it seems others have been able to. Any ideas?
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I tackled the links previously on a VC by Dragon and phew it was well erm interesting(Being polite!!).I made a couple of jigs like Steve Zaloga did in his Sherman modelling book.I was working away trying to get the end connectors on and then noticed id put some pads on back to front.Well they got hidden on the lower run.I did look at getting some Heavy hobby 3d T62 tracks.Im sure i have a set of Afv Club rubber band ones but im sure id tried already and they were tighter then a drum.Think the Dragon ones are good for add on armour but for full set then the builder needs the patrience of a Saint putting it mildly.
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Excellent model.Looks a great Firefly.
Richard
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Wash and pinwash applied. Next up some mud and dirt, etc. Not really sure about the color. I think it should be more green(darker), but I kind of like it. Very happy with how the weathering has gone so far. Comments, the good, the bad, and the ugly welcomed.
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Excellent model Dana. I like the subtle tonal variations. Weathering looks fantastic. I also think the little weld beads down the sides on the sandshield mounts are cool. Did you do those yourself, or were they on the PE?
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The mounting strips are PE, 3 pieces per side. The “welds” are mounded to the hull sides. One of the really nice things about the kit is the finely molded cast texture on the turret and the transmission housing bulge up front. The hull sides also have a nice rolled steel look to them as well. If you can get past the overly complex boogie assembly I highly recommend this kit.
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