| This is a combined
review of all of OKB Grigorov's Sherman accessory sets;
or at least, all the ones I have at the moment. I'll add
photos of the missing sets as I manage to obtain them. Disclosure: I
have purchased all of these sets myself, with the single
exception of the WE210 Track set (thank you to OKB
Grigorov for donating that single review item). Normally
I don't feel the need to make this statement, because if
you don't trust me to give an unbiased review of donated
items, then I don't really care what you think. However
in this case, the following review is mostly glowing in
its praise of these OKB resin sets, so I wanted to put to
rest any suspicion that my extremely positive comments
are due to any perceived bias.
| VVSS
Sprocket Wheels There were several styles of
sprockets produced during the war, as illustrated
by the scans shown below. All of these sprocket
wheels scale out to perfect diameter and have
absolutely gorgeous detail. The sprocket plates
are cast as individual pieces and need to be
glued onto the individual wheel hubs. There are
small indentations on the rear of each tang of
the sprocket plates (and along the inner rim of
the economy version) that allow for easy
attachmet with the hub. There is no mechanism,
however, to ensure alignment of sprocket teeth
between the front and rear sprocket plates, so
care must be taken when gluing. The quality of
the resin casting is first-rate, with only a
single sprocket wheel in all my sets showing a
little mold shift. There is some paper-thin flash
which is easily removed with a knife or stiff
brush. Removal of the parts from the resin
casting plugs was quite easy with very little
cleanup needed.
The wheel hubs
are little long, which results in assembled
wheels that are a little wider than most kit
tracks that we have available to us. Refer to this article for more explanation.
The rear of the hubs are not shaped to fit any
particular plastic kit, and will need to be
modified to be compatible with the kit to which
it is being fitted.
HVSS
Sprocket Wheels
The same four
sprocket design are also available for HVSS
Shermans. The sprocket plates are the same, with
a longer hub included for the wider HVS
suspension.
|
| Name |
Item
Number |
Scan |
Close-up |
Comments |
| Sprockets for M4 family - VVSS
D47366 |
S72211 |
 |
 |
This was the most common style of
sprocket wheel during the war. The tangs where
the sprocket plate is bolted to the hub showed
some variation. Seen here is the most common
shape, but also seen were tangs that were rounded
on the points, or wider tangs with rounded
corners. Set includes six complete sprocket
wheels; enough for three tanks. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - VVSS
D47366, economy |
S72212 |
 |
 |
Another very common style,
particularly later in the war. The
"economy" here was not referring to
saving steel, but rather production time, by not
having to cut out the individual tangs where the
sprocket is bolted to the hub. Set includes six
complete sprocket wheels; enough for three tanks. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - VVSS
D47366A, casting |
S72213 |
 |
 |
This cast style of sprocket was
used on M4A3 Shermans built by FMC (Ford Motor
Company), and was also used as field replacements
on other Sherman types. Set includes six complete
sprocket wheels; enough for three tanks. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - VVSS
D47366, forging |
S72214 |
 |
 |
This forged style of sprocket was
used on Shermans built by CDA (Chrysler Defense
Arsenal), which includes late M4A3s, M4A4s,
M4A6s, M4(105)s and M4 Composites. Was probably
also used as field replacements on other Sherman
types. Set includes six complete sprocket wheels;
enough for three tanks. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - HVSS
D47366 |
S72228 |
|
|
Same sprocket plates as above, but
with longer hub for HVSS. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - HVSS
D47366, economy |
S72229 |
|
|
Same sprocket plates as above, but
with longer hub for HVSS. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - HVSS
D47366A, casting |
S72230 |
|
|
Same sprocket plates as above, but
with longer hub for HVSS. |
| Sprockets for M4 family - HVSS
D47366, forging |
S72231 |
|
|
Same sprocket plates as above, but
with longer hub for HVSS. |
| OKB gives us
all four versions of the M4 idler wheel ever
produced, including one that was incredibly rare.
All of these designs were all-steel wheels, with
no rubber tires (except perhaps the French
design?) Scale is perfect on all of these and the
detail is superb. Casting quality was perfect on
all my sets, and the removal from the casting
plugs was easy with very little necessary cleanup
of the parts. The rear of the wheels have a
generic mounting hole, which can be enlarged to
fit any particular plastic kit. |
| Name |
Item
Number |
Scan |
Close-up |
Comments |
| Idler wheels for M4 family - VVSS
open spoke |
S72188 |
 |
 |
This was the first style of idler
wheel on Shermans (and M3 Mediums), and one of
the most common seen throughout the war. Set
includes 12 wheels; enough for six tank models. |
| Idler wheels for M4 family - VVSS
solid |
S72189 |
 |
 |
Very late version. I don't know if
this was seen during World War II. This was the
only version produced post-war. I've seen a photo
of an M32 in Korea with one of these idlers. Not
sure about the few VVSS Shermans that saw action
in that war. Set includes 12 wheels; enough for
six tank models. |
| Idler wheels for M4 family - VVSS
stamped spoke |
S72190 |
 |
 |
A later style, began replacing the
open-spoke version mid-war. Also very common on
most versions of Sherman, particularly later in
the war. Set includes 12 wheels; enough for six
tank models. |
| Idler wheels for M4 family - VVSS
four spoke French type |
S72191 |
 |
 |
A very rare, post-war design seen
on some French Shermans. Notice that OKB
correctly molded the bolts along the inside of
the rim. I'm not sure what these are for, as the
only photo I've seen of this wheel appears to
show the wheels as all steel, with no rubber
tire, just like the other idlers. Set includes 12
wheels; enough for six tank models. |
| OKB has given
us all the variations of road wheels for VVSS
Shermans. They are molded to precise scale, and
the detail is extraordinarily well done. Casting
quality was perfect on all my sets, and the
removal from the casting plugs was easy with very
little necessary cleanup of the parts. These are
without a doubt the finest resin wheels on the
market. |
| Name |
Item
Number |
Scan |
Close-up |
Comments |
| Wheels for M4 family - VVSS open
spoke |
S72182 |
 |
 |
One of the most common styles of
wheels seen on Shermans throughout the war. This
was the earliest design, and was used on the M3
Medium tank as well as the M4. Set includes 12
wheels; enough for a single tank model. |
| Wheels for M4 family - VVSS
stamped spoke |
S72183 |
 |
 |
Another very common style of wheel
during the war. Notice the rivets on the inside
edge of the wheel rim, attaching the tires to the
metal rim. There is a front to these wheels: the
side that has the lubrication plugs. The rear
face has only depressions in the face, with no
plugs. Set includes 12 wheels; enough for a
single tank model. |
| Wheels for M4 family - VVSS open
spoke w/TB ORD 22 applied |
S72184 |
 |
 |
These are essentially the open
spoke wheels with metal plates welded over the
openings between the spokes, designed to prevent
the enemy from sliding metal rods through the
spokes. Probably very difficult to distinguish in
photos from the closed spoke variety shown below.
Notice that on the outside faces, you can even
see the weld beads where the plates were spot
welded to the wheels. Set includes 12 wheels;
enough for a single tank model. |
| Wheels for M4 family - VVSS smooth
concave |
S72185 |
 |
 |
This is the first of the three
types of high capacity wheels meant for use as
late-war replacement wheels for 76mm-armed
Shermans and the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman. There is a
front to these wheels: the side that has the
lubrication plugs. The rear face has only
depressions in the face, with no plugs. Set
includes 12 wheels; enough for a single tank
model. |
| Wheels for M4 family - VVSS smooth
convex |
S72186 |
 |
 |
This is the second of the three
types of high capacity wheels meant for use as
late-war replacement wheels for 76mm-armed
Shermans and the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman. Notice the
rivets on the inside edge of the wheel rim,
attaching the tires to the metal rim. There is a
front to these wheels: the side that has the
lubrication plugs. The rear face has only
depressions in the face, with no plugs. Set
includes 12 wheels; enough for a single tank
model. |
| Wheels for M4 family - VVSS closed
spoke |
S72187 |
 |
 |
This is the third of the three
types of high capacity wheels meant for use as
late-war replacement wheels for 76mm-armed
Shermans and the M4A3E2 Jumbo Sherman. From
photos, this appears to be the most common style
of wheel seen on the Jumbo. Set includes 12
wheels; enough for a single tank model. |
| Unlike the
wheels shown above, the OKB track sets are
slightly less than perfect. This is the one group
of accessories where OKB has failed to achieve
100% scale accuracy. Most Sherman VVSS tracks
were 16.56 inches wide, including the pins and
end connectors. This scales out to 5.8mm
wide in 1/72nd scale. The exceptions are the T41 (seen
only on M3 Mediums and very early Shermans) and
the WE210, which were 16 inches wide, or 5.6mm in 1/72nd scale. OKB's
tracks vary in width (noted below) from
approximately 6.0mm to 6.5mm. The size error lies
with the width of the individual track shoes, not
the end connectors, so simply sanding them down
some won't correct the error. I wonder if their
reference material indicated that the 16.56 inch
wide track referred to only the track shoes and
not the end connectors? This size discrepancy
means little as such a minor scale error would be
unnoticable on the final model. But be aware that
these tracks are not a drop-fit into any existing
kit, and you will have to make some modifications
to the sprocket wheels in order for the tracks to
fit (see this article for more
details). Track size aside, these
tracks are absolutely beautiful. The design and
molding are first-rate and the detail is
astoundingly well done. Removal from the casting
blocks is easy, as long as you are patient and
use a very sharp blade. Some pieces had some
paper-thin flash between the end connectors,
which was easy to brush off. Click on the photo
to see the impressive detail on the track links
and the guide teeth:
Each VVSS track
set includes six lengths of track, each with 40
shoes (240 total). Short hull Shermans used 158
track shoes (79 each side), and the long hull
Shermans used 166 track shoes (83 each side).
Therefore, you'll end up with some extra track
from each set for fixing construction errors
(perish the thought!) or as add-on armor for the
Sherman hulls and turrets. Or... you can buy
three sets, and have enough tracks for four
tanks.
Extended
End Connectors (EECs)
There were
several styles of EECs produced during the latter
year of the war, including some locally-designed
patterns. Their purpose was to increase the track
width, thereby reducing ground pressure and
improving performance on soft ground. OKB
provides three variations of the EECs, with types
1 and 2 being factory-designed patterns, and type
3 being a locally-designed pattern. These EECs
were often used on both gun tanks as well as tank
destroyers (M10 and M36) and recovery vehicles.
Very late in the war, there was a designed
improvement of the Sherman VVS suspension,
designated E9 (e.g. M4A1E9). On these tanks, the
suspension units were attached further out from
the hull sides, making room for EECs on both
sides of the tracks. Apparently, none of these
modified tanks saw action, though several were
thought to have been shipped to Europe, for both
US and French use. OKB gives us several track
styles with EECs on both sides of the track, if
you want to make an E9 conversion.
|
| Name |
Item
Number |
Scan |
Close-up |
Comments |
| Tracks for M4 Family WE210 |
S72023 |
 |
 |
An early style, designed for the
British in North Africa, where the
"double-H" shaped pattern on the track
shoes better gripped the loose sand. I cannot
find my set of tracks (!) so I can't measure
their width at this time. I stated in an earlier
review I wrote for these that they were the
correct scale. By looking at the scans, they
appear to be narrower than OKB's other tracks, so
they are likely the only tracks in this
collection that are the correct scale width. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T54E1 |
S72063 |
 |
 |
A common late war design,
particularly on M4A1s and M4A3s. These tracks
measure approximately 6.3mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T54E2 |
S72064 |
 |
 |
Commonly seen on British Shermans.
These tracks measure approximately 6.0mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T62 |
S72120 |
 |
 |
A rather uncommon style, seen
primarily on British Shermans, particularly the
Sherman V. However, considering the amount of mud
and dirt that sticks to the tracks, I wonder if
many photos of this track are confused for the
similar T54E2 style. These tracks measure
approximately 6.4mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T62
w/Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72121 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T48 |
S72122 |
 |
 |
One of the most common styles of
track seen on Shermans of all nationalities
during the war. These tracks measure
approximately 6.4mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T48
w/extended end connectors type 3 |
S72123 |
 |
 |
Same comments as T48 track above. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T49 |
S72124 |
 |
 |
A very common steel block design.
Seen on Shermans of many nationalities, including
French, Polish, British, Soviet M4A2s, as well as
many US Marine and Army tanks in the Pacific.
Also used on Sherman variants, such as M10s and
M32s. These tracks measure approximately 6.1mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T49
w/Extended End Connectors Type 2 |
S72125 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T51 |
S72126 |
 |
 |
A common early war design. These
tracks measure approximately 6.5mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T51
w/Extended End Connectors Type 3 |
S72127 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T54E1
w/Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72128 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T54E2
w/Extended End Connectors Type 2 |
S72129 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T56 |
S72130 |
 |
 |
The T56 track style is
problematic; it is shown in the Army manuals for
the Sherman, but according to some references, it
was never cleared for production. If it was used,
it is probably difficult to distinguish in photos
from the T49. These tracks measure approximately 6.5mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T56
w/extended end connectors type 1 |
S72131 |
 |
 |
Same comments as T56 track above. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T74 |
S72132 |
 |
 |
An uncommon variant, probably
easily confused in photos with the similar T54E1
style. These tracks measure approximately 6.3mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T74
w/Extended End Connectors Type 2 |
S72133 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T48
w/Extended End Connectors Type 2 |
S72168 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T48 w/Two
Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72169 |
|
|
Extended end connectors on both
sides of the track for experimental E9
suspension. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T48
w/Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72170 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T74
w/extended end connectors type 3 |
S72171 |
 |
 |
Same comments as T74 track above. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T74
w/Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72172 |
|
|
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T54E1 w/Two
Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72199 |
|
|
Extended end connectors on both
sides of the track for experimental E9
suspension. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T54E2 w/Two
Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72200 |
|
|
Extended end connectors on both
sides of the track for experimental E9
suspension. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T56 w/Two
Extended End Connectors Type 1 |
S72201 |
|
|
Extended end connectors on both
sides of the track for experimental E9
suspension. |
| Tracks for M4 Family C.D.P. Tracks |
S72202 |
 |
 |
Canadian dry pin (CDP) track
design for use on Grizzlies (Canadian M4A1),
Sextons and Kangaroos. Set includes sprocket
wheels specially designed for this track. A
little narrower than US tracks, they should
measure 5.3mm, whereas these resin pieces
measure about 5.8mm, which is pretty good. |
| Replacement
wheels for HVS suspensions are sorely needed, as
there are a number of resin conversion kits on
the market that have horribly out-of-scale
suspensions, or none at all. However, this set
includes only wheels, no suspension parts.
Looking through my past articles, I see that the
suspension brackets from the old Hasegawa kit are
not too far off in size, so mayhap these wheels
could be used with those suspension parts.
Regardless, they are gorgeous wheels, and could
be used to replace the wheels from the other
plastic kits (UM, Trumpter, Dragon). Although
those wheels don't really need replacing from the
perspective of detail, these new wheels will
certainly come in handy for replacing the kit
wheels that are molded as integral parts with
their suspension brackets. All four of the wheel
types included in this set scale perfectly to
1/72nd. The quality of detail and casting is
unsurpassed. The only blemish I noted was on the
hub of the idler wheels, but that is easily
remedied.
|
| Wheels for M4 Family HVSS |
S72245 |
 |
|
Includes roadwheels, idler wheels,
and both sizes of track return rollers. Enough
wheels are included for a single tank. |
| Unfortunately,
the scale problems are more extreme for the HVSS
tracks that OKB sells. HVSS tracks were 23 inches
wide, or 8.1mm in 1/72nd scale. The T80 tracks are
8.7mm wide (not too bad), but the T66 tracks are
9.5mm wide; an error that may be noticable on a
built model. Leaving aside the track size,
these tracks are again beautiful. The detail and
molding are lightyears better than any other HVSS
track that we have available to us. The center
guide horns are correctly open to the front and
rear, not the sides. Removal from the casting
blocks is easy, as long as you are patient and
use a very sharp blade. Some pieces had some
paper-thin flash between the end connectors,
which was easy to clean off with the tip of a
knife.
Each track set
includes six lengths of track. The T66 has 36
links per length of track, for a total of 216
links. The T80 has 42 links per length, for a
total of 252 links. Just as with the VVSS, HVSS
Shermans used 158 track shoes (79 each side), so
you'll have plenty of extra in each set. The
pitch of each track shoe should be the same as
for the VVSS tracks: 6 inches (2.1mm in 1/72nd).
The T80 track shoes have a pitch of about 2.0mm
and the T66 track shoes' pitch is about 2.2mm,
hence the difference in number of links per
length of track. Obviously, the T66 style will
therefore require fewer track links for a single
tank, than the T80.
I have not yet
tried to fit these tracks to any kit suspension
or sprocket wheels, or to OKB's own sprockets, so
I don't know how these scale errors may or may
not be problematic when using these tracks.
|
| Tracks for M4 Family T66 |
S72119
S72215 |
 |
 |
Most common style in WWW II.
Measures approximately 9.5mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T80 |
S72216 |
 |
 |
Late design, and only occasionally
seen towards the end of the war. Most Korean War
Sherman mounted this style. Measures
approximately 8.7mm wide. |
| Tracks for M4 Family T84 |
S72217 |
|
|
Post-war design. Curiously though,
I've seen only a couple photos of Korean War
Shermans with this track style. They mostly used
the T-80 tracks. |
Back to Accessories Kit List
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|
