Always a good procedure to follow.
One might find an adjustment with this kit since sponson “runners” on both sides were only ~ .015 to .020 short vs the hull.
For me pushing the hull back ~ .020 from the transmission cover would fix the sponsons but move the problem. The problem was easy enough to fix at the back.
Decided to use bogies as is…and not redo…
Wrapped ~12 of 28 steps 
Enthusiasm for the build wanes at step 19/20 due to the confusing instructions.
F50 & F51 have sink marks to fill on the top face. Both parts have punch marks to remove as does G10 the end cap.
Fixed
Really now, don’t expect good quality on the otherside.
Fixed
^Pretty disappointing 
at drifting towards Italeri territory it seems.
Nasty flash on Tasca parts.
Flash Blades work pretty well.
Step 19/20
Overall, I much prefer Ryefield Model’s upper hull assembly, in part because the instructions are better organized than Tasca’s patched together mess. Others might feel different or know of a detail reason to give the nod to Tasca. Based on my experience, I can’t.
Instructions & Upper Hull
Ryefield 2
Tasca 0
Tracks
Even with Flash Blades in hand, I don’t much like Tasca’s two piece vinyl tracks. I wasn’t overjoyed building Ryefield’s ~660 part tracks either. Tasca’s tracks save a massive amount of time compared to Ryefield’s but RFM’s look slightly better to my eye. I can be happy with what RFM tossed in the box and despite trying very much not happy with what Tasca’s placed in the box despite time savings.
RFM by the thinnest of margins.
Tracks
Ryefield 1
Tasca 0
Score
Ryefield 5
Tasca 3
Bogies arrived in a rather large box considering what’s inside. Seems Asuka didn’t include the plastic spacers to adjust ride height. Foam sheet to cut to sizexis included. The kit has a few parts allow adaptation to other Sherman kits.
Good old long gone Lion Marc barrel helps faster lazy construction.
Compared with kit barrel halves.
Tow cable, PE periscope guards still to install but overall construction is nearly wrapped.
Haven’t decided if the rubber bands will go on or if QuickTrack T-62 Sherman track links will be purchased. Watched an assembly video and some parts look fragile. They are workable and snap together.
That’s odd. I would have expected those to be in there … Definitely a missed chance, IMHO.
These sets were originally sold to upgrade Italeri and Tamiya Shermans. There are some parts on every sprue, including of course in full kits, with things like a T moulded in to show that’s the adapter for Tamiya hulls.
Ok. I’m not a Sherman guy. Except for a recent Takom Tiger not really a WWII guy either. This thread has given me the bug to do at least one Sherman. Have one on order from a vendor I will see in about 3 weeks at a show in northern Virginia. Might also have to do a Firefly. Damn you.
DV, sounds fantastic! Looking forward to seeing your Sherman project(s)! I think the Firefly has an edge in visual appeal. Your Cold War & Modern builds inspired many, me included for post WW2 modeling. Happy to play a small part stoking WW2 interests!
BTW
Short gun + Wok + Lantern doesn’t equal a 17 pounder
From discussion in D-Day Campaign, @BootsDMS Brian provided valuable insights & information.
Will be adding strips to my Tasca since it’s Ala Kefaak.
Found a few interesting pictures of Firefly’s.
D-Day +1, June 7th
Colorized
Aftermarket Sherman T-62 Track Dilemma
~$60 for TRex, slide in pins for assembly. Available in ~4 days. Had bad luck couple of years ago with TRex 3D parts, they became brittle very quickly. Acquitance same time period had problems with track sets being brittle & crumbling etc. Not sure about quality or longevity but that’s based on older information.
Anyone used TRex 3D parts recently?
Or
Quick Track click togethers are $33 but look fragile, especially that double pin assembly part. Available in a few weeks.
I’ve had good with QT Panther D tracks.
Show Down Finales
Turret vs turret, I like how the Tasca one built slightly better than the Ryefield one.
Ryefield 0
Tasca 1
Final Result - Absolute, time isn’t factored
Ryefield 5 points - win
Tasca 4 points
Other’s might favor Tasca and that’s a valid outcome based on what a modeler values most.
However, if TIME required is considered the Tasca kit builds much quicker (1/3 the time) due far fewer parts with 98% to 99% of the appeal.
Build Time
Ryefield 5 points
Tasca 5 points
Tied, and given Tasca is OLDER & cheaper it wins the tie breaker if build time matters.
Excellent showing for a 2008 vintage kit vs a 2024 vintage kit.
That should make both RFM fanboi’s Tasca/Asuka fanboi’s mad 
I just call it like I see it.
Wade’s World Review: Tasca Sherman Firefly w/cheek armor #35011
TL:DR summary
Opening the box in 2009, this caused flashbacks to seeing Star Trek The Motion Picture in the theater in 1979. Decent enough but failed to live up to the hype. ST:TMP, spawned several loved sequels. After building the kit I find much to admire in Tasca’s accomplishments from the early 2000’s despite #35011’s atrocious instructions.
4 Price Previously paid $62 retail in 2009, available online now for $45.
2 Instructions Tasca has nice innovation with numbered assembly sequence in a few steps but this kit didn’t get a dedicated Instruction sheet. What’s provided is a supplemental sheet to jump back and forth with factored by which of four possible vehicles is selected as the build.
That jumbled mess severely detracted from my build experience with the kit. For someone familiar with Tasca builds and Shermans this would likely be less of a factor.
YMMV
4 Mold Quality Looked very good in the box until I started fixing sink marks and shallow mold depressions, sometimes multiple ones on the same part. Flash isn’t too bad. Majority of molding is crisp, defect free and parts are laid out in an intelligent manner for minimal clean up. The brilliant parts layout helped this rating.
4 Plastic Quality The plastic is excellent. However, the very dark color made seeing and working on the model more difficult. I constantly adjusted light sources due to the dark plastic. Zero issues with several prior builds under same lighting conditions.
The plastic sands and cleans easily enough. Testor’s Liquid Cement & Tamiya Quick Set work well with the plastic.
5 Ease of Build The model is brilliantly designed for easy and quick building. Easily the best overall layout of parts for hassle free construction I’ve seen to date. However, this excellence was severely undermined (cut off at the knees) by the jumbled confusing instructions.
5 Accuracy Sherman Sheriff’s seem to like the kit. Enough said.
Based on photos, for build #2 F50 & F51 might be positioned differently.
4 Fit Very good, not Rolex perfect in my limited experience of building one kit. With basic care any issues can be pushed to hidden areas if issues occur.
5 Doesn’t Require Aftermarket A very nice model can be build with included parts. Clear periscopes & lens, appropriate PE, slide molded MG’s etc. Tracks are usable. The two piece main gun is nice enough but fixing seams in side muzzle brakes can be annoying so I went aftermarket.
The PE periscopes guards are flat and one might desire to replace them. Sadly plastic alternatives are not provided in the kit. Asuka sells aftermarket plastic guards for ~$12
5 Details Built Out of The Box the kit has strong out of the box potential for contests.
43 point raw score out of of 50
Special Assessment, aka Wade’s World manufacturer Stupidity Tariff
-1 point must be applied for $hitty absolutely 
percent worthless box art. While probably no one else on planet earth these days cares to use box art as inspiration & fast reference, I still do on occasion.
For subject matter, one is unfamiliar with the box art can be a useful fast reference. While far from perfect reference decent artwork can be helpful to modelers not deeply interested in a given subject that have only a passing interest.
YMMV
42 points out of 50
42/50 => 84%
Recommended, probably best to be Sherman literate before under taking this specific kit. I wouldn’t hesitate to build other Tasca/Asuka kits. They’ll have better instructions.
However, I wouldn’t buy this kit these days for $45, based on my preferences the newer Ryefield kits (and probably others) have surpassed this 2008 Firefly release based on the realitive prices.
In closing, I’m favorably impressed by Tasca/Asuka but less than impressed by this specific kit.
Cheers 
They are nice Sherman builds.
Thank you, Ralph!
An Asuka Sherman arrived and it’s far more impressive than the Tasca Firefly! Instructions are logical and clear. I look forward to building a USMC M4A2 one day!
I love how you scored a vs review. Asuka makes an M4A4 too. I wonder how your scores would compare if they’d been the same exact type. If the Asuka would’ve still won. The RFM M4A4 is on my list of Sherman’s I’m going to buy next.
The builds look fantastic! Look forward to seeing finished photos.
I have that exact same kit in the stash; then i got my hands on the Academy USMC M4A2 with the plywood armor and wading stacks.
My plan was to convert the Asuka kit with the plank armor and wading stacks.
@Shermaniac thank you!
I appreciate you taking the time to check out the build & read the ramblings.
Speculation of course but I’d expect the Asuka M4A4 to score about 4 to 6 points higher than than the Tasca Firefly. At least 3 more points for instructions and no -1 for crap box art possibly slightly better in other aspects too.
If build time isn’t a factor, I believe RFM will hold a very slight advantage for how I interpret the priorities. However, even being retired, build time is a real factor to me…so I think in many cases the tie breaker will favor Asuka.
US tariffs will also be a factor in prices in the future. So it’s probably so close it’s just personal preference!
@SableLiger Reynier, that looks like an inspirational approach, using best of both! Look forward to seeing!
I didn’t realize Academy was in the Sherman game with newer kits. Thanks!
If you don’t want it, let me be first in line to take it off your hands! There’ll be lots of others who will offer the same…
So they did use the wood armor on A2s?
My mind is terrible now I can’t keep information straight anymore. I thought the Marines used wooden armor on their M4A3s on Iwo Jima.
Improvised Armor on M4 Shermans in the PTO - Tank Encyclopedia
Both A2 and A3 USMC Shermans in the PTO had thewooden plank armor added to.
Another option would be Value Gear planks.
http://valuegeardetails.com/ShermieBits.html
Lanmo, Tank Workshop and Panzer Art for wading stacks.
I already have a set of Value Gear plank armor. They look much better than the Academy stuff. As for the stacks, I might go with Lanmo.
For completeness Lanmo also makes planks.
