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AFV Club
17Pdr. Gun Ammo
AFV Club 1:35 scale kit #AF35138
Review by Terry Ashley

The Set:
AFV Club have just released this set of brass 17Pdr. Gun Ammo for use with the applicable Sherman Firefly and 17Pdr. M10 SP "Achilles" kits from Academy, AFV Club, Dragon and Tasca. (note they are not applicable for the Comet which used different 17Pdr. ammo).

The set has 20 cleanly machined brass shells and a sheet of etched end caps for each round with finely engraved stenciling that can be read quite easily. There are differently and correctly engraved caps for the 4 different types of rounds in the set so you have to make sure you use the right cap for the right round.

There are 4 rounds for each type plus 4 used shell casings for a good selection with the types included being: Dimensionally the rounds match dimensions and shape shown in the references below almost perfectly with any discrepancies being very minor with the detail on the rounds being very well done especially on the A.P.D.S and A.P.C.B.C rounds with the indentations and details captured nicely. The spent shell casings are drilled out to a depth of 7mm to give a very good hollow appearance as its almost impossible to see the bottom of the drilled hole from any angle.

The etched brass base caps have as mentioned the appropriate engraved stenciling for each round type as well as the central firing cap ring and also have an engraved circle on the inside of the cap to seat the lip of each round into ensuring the caps are perfectly centred on the rounds, something that can be a problem?

Brass and etched parts
AFV Club
AFV Club

There are 5 end caps provided for each round type allowing you to complete the 4 rounds supplied for each as well as one of each type for the 4 spent shell casings which does mean you can't have a pile of like casings for a diorama but that shouldn't be a big deal.

On the back of the packaging is a simply instruction guide to adding the appropriate cap to the rounds and you should take note of this to get them on the correct round for authenticity.

There is no painting guide for the coloured bands on the rounds and there is also some fine stenciling on the shell casings that is not provided but for the base rounds they are an excellent start.

Assembled rounds
AFV Club
Conclusion:
This is an excellent set of 17Pdr.ammo with 4 of the 9 types of ammo used with the 17Pdr. provided for a good selection with the detail on the rounds very well done and the separate engraved cap adding the finer details.

This set should be very welcomed by Allied fans to add the final touch to the various kits available.

Highly recommended 8/10

References:
Sherman Firefly
Mark Hayward
Firefly
Sherman VC M4A4 Firefly
Military Ordnance Special No.19
Book
Thanks to my credit card and the excellent service fromRainbow Tenfor the review set.



Page created July 24, 2008