It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:52 am
Well, I would like to start off with thanking the many gifted members here for the encouraging builds. I wasn't aware of the multitude of detail parts available for 1/16 armor prior to stumbling onto this site.
My intention was to purchase some updates and convert an un-ran mint condition 1974 Sherman 105 kit I picked up some years ago and put in my kit morgue.
Post shopping for electronics I noted that I would be better off starting with a brand new Tamiya Sherman Kit, 56014.
I started shopping on Ebay and located a dealer in Michigan who had the kits for 460.00 and shipping. The best deal I found anywhere. After our discussion I found that he had many spares at very, very reasonable prices. So I picked up spare gear boxes, drive sprockets and a lower and upper hull with the sprues needed to complete the hull less suspension for about 65.00. I will building an M4A3E8 with the spare HVSS suspension and a T-23 turret from Nick Aguilar.
Dave, AKA Forgebear was kind enough to supply me with a Mato Sherman lower so I could pirate the VVSS suspension components for my build as well.
My build is based on pictures taken by a member of my Grandfather's unit during Market-Garden on 27 Sept 44 near Nijmagen, Holland. He made the jump into Grave, Holland on 17 Sept 44 with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. The first allied troops to land in Holland. I have given rights for the picture to be reproduced for an upcoming publication on Sherman variants and was asked not to post it elsewhere until the publication has been released.
The M4A1 late "large hatch" ( Sherman II) hull was obviously and oddity for a Firefly and has created many debates over the years, however it seems conventional wisdom has been that all variants of the Firefly were based on either the M4A4, (VC) or the M4 Composite hull (1C Hybrid, however many have stated the conversions started on the M4A1. The specifications for conversion were: M34A1 Wide Mantlet,Petrol Engine and Hydraulic Turret Transverse, Hence the late M4A1 (Sherman II) meets all criteria.
With that said, I am sure I will catch some flak by some over this build as a "Non-existent" variant of the Firefly, however I know better.
The builds on this forum have been an encouragement to take on a large conversion of this nature and this is my first. Even though I am a veteran model builder and a miniature painter I'm sure this will be challenging for me none the less.
I encourage ideas, constructive criticism and feedback. Please feel free to do so.
I will be posting pictures as I work through the build.
I thank you all for the stirring of imagination and the ideas provided.
-Dan
My intention was to purchase some updates and convert an un-ran mint condition 1974 Sherman 105 kit I picked up some years ago and put in my kit morgue.
Post shopping for electronics I noted that I would be better off starting with a brand new Tamiya Sherman Kit, 56014.
I started shopping on Ebay and located a dealer in Michigan who had the kits for 460.00 and shipping. The best deal I found anywhere. After our discussion I found that he had many spares at very, very reasonable prices. So I picked up spare gear boxes, drive sprockets and a lower and upper hull with the sprues needed to complete the hull less suspension for about 65.00. I will building an M4A3E8 with the spare HVSS suspension and a T-23 turret from Nick Aguilar.
Dave, AKA Forgebear was kind enough to supply me with a Mato Sherman lower so I could pirate the VVSS suspension components for my build as well.
My build is based on pictures taken by a member of my Grandfather's unit during Market-Garden on 27 Sept 44 near Nijmagen, Holland. He made the jump into Grave, Holland on 17 Sept 44 with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. The first allied troops to land in Holland. I have given rights for the picture to be reproduced for an upcoming publication on Sherman variants and was asked not to post it elsewhere until the publication has been released.
The M4A1 late "large hatch" ( Sherman II) hull was obviously and oddity for a Firefly and has created many debates over the years, however it seems conventional wisdom has been that all variants of the Firefly were based on either the M4A4, (VC) or the M4 Composite hull (1C Hybrid, however many have stated the conversions started on the M4A1. The specifications for conversion were: M34A1 Wide Mantlet,Petrol Engine and Hydraulic Turret Transverse, Hence the late M4A1 (Sherman II) meets all criteria.
With that said, I am sure I will catch some flak by some over this build as a "Non-existent" variant of the Firefly, however I know better.
The builds on this forum have been an encouragement to take on a large conversion of this nature and this is my first. Even though I am a veteran model builder and a miniature painter I'm sure this will be challenging for me none the less.
I encourage ideas, constructive criticism and feedback. Please feel free to do so.
I will be posting pictures as I work through the build.
I thank you all for the stirring of imagination and the ideas provided.
-Dan