Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

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SpikyTheCommander
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Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by SpikyTheCommander »

Hi all,

I was doing my normal research when i noticed that the Mato m4a1 was back on ebay. I am thinking of using this as a base for an IC Hybrid firefly, but does anybody know if i would be able to replace the turret with a different one modified with the 17 pounder etc?

Regards,

Spiky.
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by Son of a gun-ner »

The heng long turret fits into the Mato hull, as does the Mato turret fits the Heng Long hull, there's only about a millimetre in the difference.
But surely, if you're making a hybrid, cast at the front, the rear of the hull including the turret hole will be welded. You just need a matching welded hull and turret, like the Heng Long.
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by Son of a gun-ner »

Is this what you're hoping to achieve?
Although this has a tamiya welded hull section, the tamiya hull has a larger turret hole, therefore, Heng Long or Mato turrets don't fit without modifications.

Firefly - RC Tank Warfare
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=19394
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by SpikyTheCommander »

I am looking to achieve something like this: https://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=4373. Son of a gunner, does that mean i can get a turret like this one: https://www.forgebeartanks.com/store/p1 ... _Unit.html , and simply swap it for the current one on the mato? Also, if the hybrid version is a very challenging conversion, is there another type of firefly that i should attempt at making?
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by SpikyTheCommander »

Is there a way i can get a conversion kit for the firefly? I remember seeing it a few years ago but they seem to all have disappeared.
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by Son of a gun-ner »

That's like the one Frankie did in the link I posted. You would need the welded hull to achieve that.

Yes, that is the turret to get for a straight swap :thumbup:

Sorry, can't remember which has the slightly looser fitting out of the Mato or Heng Long turret, but it's negligible.

They're also selling these.
Heng Long 1:16 Scale RC Sherman Tank Upper Hull
https://www.forgebeartanks.com/store/p2 ... _Hull.html
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by Son of a gun-ner »

SpikyTheCommander wrote:Is there a way i can get a conversion kit for the firefly? I remember seeing it a few years ago but they seem to all have disappeared.
What kit are you referring to?
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by SpikyTheCommander »

Son of a gun-ner wrote:
SpikyTheCommander wrote:Is there a way i can get a conversion kit for the firefly? I remember seeing it a few years ago but they seem to all have disappeared.
What kit are you referring to?
Something like this i think viewtopic.php?t=19429 , but it seems to be a VC firefly, not an IC, and far out of my budget.
Last edited by SpikyTheCommander on Sat Jul 06, 2019 10:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by Son of a gun-ner »

Ah, that was discontinued. But if you contact memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=4432 by PM, he may have the odd one left to sell you direct.
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Re: Would the Mato M4A1 work for a firefly?

Post by SpikyTheCommander »

Oh ok, i don't really want the conversion kit anyway.

Do you reckon i could do something like this? https://warrenhudsonmodelling.blogspot. ... build.html , by just cutting the front off the Mato and replacing it with the heng long? I don't have any access to tamiya parts so this would be a cheaper option...
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