Straight
return roller brackets
for Tamiya M4
1/35 #F025
Review by Terry Ashley
This
update set is designed for the Tamiya M4 Sherman (Early Production)
Kit No.35190
and allows the kit suspension units to be converted to the earlier straight return
roller type.
The set consists of twelve cleanly cast resin parts
in light cream resin with only the usual casting blocks to be removed plus
a small block with 72 bolt heads that can be added to the kit where needed.
The replacement return
roller bracket requires some resin film to be removed from between the bracket
and the return roller but this is easy to deal with and you should take care
when removing the brackets and track guides from their casting blocks to
prevent damage.
The return roller bracket and track guide cleaned up ready for adding to the Tamiya bogies
There is obviously some surgery required on the Tamiya bogies to fit
the new parts
but nothing that is too difficult.
- Firstly assemble the kit bogies as per kit instructions leaving off the
return rollers and allow the assembly to dry completely. (Image A)
- Next carefully remove
the plastic return roller bracket and track guide using a fine razor
saw and sharp blade, you
need to remove the plastic that represents the return
roller mounting bracket from the kit bogie and not just the bracket arms
(Image B).
It could also be an idea to fill and sand smooth the top of bogie units
before attaching the resin parts.
- After test fitting glue the replacement return roller bracket and track
guides in place (Image C) but note that the parts for the left and right
bogies are
different, these are clearly marked on the resin casting blocks and it
is best to assemble one side of the vehicle at a time so as not to mix
the parts up.
- Using the bolt heads supplied carefully slice off the required heads
and glue to the bottom of each bogie unit as these bolts are not included
on
the Tamiya bogies (Image C)
- Four small shallow bolt holes also have to be added to the front of each
bogie and you can use the bolts on the inside of the resin return roller
bracket as a guide to the position of the holes.
The additional bolt heads provided can be used on the side hull where the transmission
cover joins the hull sides in front of the first bogie unit as these are also
not present on the Tamiya kit.
Conclusion:
Another useful update set to convert the bogies to the straight return roller
bracket more applicable the Tamiya kit type and while some work is
needed to fit it shouldn't be a problem for most modellers and can also be
used in conjunction with the M4 Detail Set (set
No.F009) to really detail up the kit.
Highly recommended.
Check the Formations website
for details of other update sets available and thanks to Formations for
the review sample.
Page created 26 June 2004
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