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Installing tracks on a Firefly

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Installing tracks on a Firefly

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Old 01-12-2014 | 07:27 AM
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Default Installing tracks on a Firefly

If you ever wondered.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8eaT3GEWQI
Old 01-12-2014 | 08:07 AM
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Wow, that's involved. The tension lock and track pin locks are interesting. Wonder why they needed so much force to unlock the tensioner at first... just because of time passed?

Those new tracks look wicked, must be from Mato!
Old 01-12-2014 | 11:29 AM
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That was interesting. Thank you for posting that. Imagine track repair under field conditions vs. a clean concrete pad. I wonder where one buys new tracks for a 70 year old tank?
Old 01-12-2014 | 12:26 PM
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Its nice to see how the tools mounted on the sides of the tank are actually used. Those tracks would probably be easier to handle if they were plastic (j/k) I imagine its pretty easy to cast new rubber pads although I cringed when they cut off one track link to break the old track off.
Old 01-12-2014 | 02:46 PM
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I don't want to be too critical, as I haven't got a clue how to do it better, but something tells me a WWII crew would be more proficient at this task.
Old 01-12-2014 | 02:59 PM
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cool video but what did they do out in the field where there were only a few guys and no Cherry pickers
or floor jacks...lol i think they had a better way to do it in the field somehow
Old 01-12-2014 | 05:22 PM
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What got me was that they were always rolling the entire tank forward and back to pull the track on... I would guess that they would engage one sprocket at a time (as if you were fully turning) and the tank wouldn't have to roll like that! :P

No expert
Old 01-12-2014 | 06:32 PM
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Can only imagine how muck work it was to change the tracks on a Panther, Tiger, I , II or JS II

Jerry
Old 01-13-2014 | 08:35 AM
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Hi Why didn't they connect the new track to the old one then use the sprocket to pull it through .Use the fork lift to take the weight of the old track as it feeds off. Or I'm I missing something

regards pete
Old 01-13-2014 | 09:54 PM
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Originally Posted by wright 971
Hi Why didn't they connect the new track to the old one then use the sprocket to pull it through .Use the fork lift to take the weight of the old track as it feeds off. Or I'm I missing something

regards pete
My sentiments exactly! But I am German so...

Perhaps they were trying to be authentic and use just what they had on a WW II Sherman (or as close as safely possible).

I also think a sledge hammer and steel bar (not a pipe) would have been invaluable at that 4:30m min mark...LOL.

PS "When I nod my head....you hit it." All that aside, they got it done without any injuries.

Last edited by thecommander; 01-13-2014 at 10:02 PM.
Old 01-14-2014 | 03:24 PM
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Makes me want a Firefly...

...is there ANY chance you could 'easily' convert the new HL sherman into one? It's an M4A3 right?
Old 01-14-2014 | 11:34 PM
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I just read in a Scale Military Modeller magazine that Dragon is releasing a 1/16 Sherman Firefly

Product no 75048

I am stoked if this is true. Picture looked good
Old 01-14-2014 | 11:44 PM
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Dragon releasing 1/6 Firefly NOT 1/16
http://www.dragonmodelsusa.com/dmlus...p?pid=DRA75048
Old 01-15-2014 | 06:41 AM
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Thanks for clarifying that

I was wondering if they got their scales wrong when they called it a monster

Might be hard to pass up
Old 01-15-2014 | 08:23 AM
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Wow!!! 1/6 scale FireFly!!! I may have to get one???

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