It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 11:51 pm

Once again, no kit for the Brit type tow bar so I made one. Bovington was kind enough to send me a couple pictures for reference so scaled them down and here is the product. I have to make the pintle yet. However, I mounted it for a dry run to make sure all the angles were right. So without further adieu, here it is.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 1:25 am

The lamp guards and horn guard are installed, and welds are complete. I noted the electrical conduit that runs to the horn in my references, so I added that as well as the the lamp plug and retainer and chain to the light guards. Something I've never seen anyone do yet on a Sherman. You'd think what Shumo charges for the guard set they would have caught this little detail. I also used the Shumo lift hooks. I completed the welds, however the actual LED lighting and lenses will go in after I have shot the paint.

DRAGONWAGON · Post by **DRAGONWAGON** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 6:22 am

Awesome work, Dan!! I love your eye for detail. The lamp plug is a nice detail, which in my opinion also, should be on the Schumo kits upgrade as well, but hey, nothing too complicated te reproduce!

Keep up the good work, I will follow you silently, but closely...LOL John.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:18 am

John:
I just noted your location. I was there in 1994 for 50 year anniversary of Market-Garden. I was with the 504th Parachute infantry regiment, the same unit that made the jump in Graves. My grandfather made the jump on 17 Sept 44.

-Dan

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 9:32 am

After noting that rear equipment on the M4A1 was different than all the later variants I once again started fabricating being nothing was supplied to mount the tools correctly for this variant. The early M4's had the sledge hammer supported by a U shaped cup and the handle sat in two L shaped brackets. I made them from scrap brass. The track adjuster is also mounted differently on this variant. I used box plastic stock and cut it in half. I also used brass tube to mount the hex end of the wrench. The crank starter I bent from aluminum tubing. I used the next diameter up to make the handle and a Waldron punch set to punch the crank handle end from sheet plastic. I noted the pin and chain that retains the wrench and added them, then the welds that would be in place for the brackets.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:14 am

After looking at my references the Shumo lamp guards are actually made incorrectly for use on the cast hull variant. I had to lengthen the outer rear leg on both sides to make them correct.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:22 am

I primed the rear turret storage container today. It looks much better in primer than it does in the white.

DRAGONWAGON · Post by **DRAGONWAGON** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 10:43 am

Dan,

just for my info, do you use plain automotive primer, or a fancy modelling primer??

John.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sun Jul 08, 2012 11:28 am

John:
I use the Tamiya primer for the resin and plastic parts and I use an etching primer from a company called SEM for the metal componets. The Tamiya primer says it works for metal too, but I can tell you it's bonding properties lack when it comes to using it on the aluminum especially.
-Dan

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Mon Jul 09, 2012 2:27 pm

Here is the completed driver's hatch. I probably would have got more done last night but the cat kept stealing the tools and running off with them.

I tried to duplicate them as close as possible to the prototype. I opened the driver's side periscope because I don't think tanks used sonar for guidence.

I just thought it'd look better with the driver's side with an open periscope. I once again used the old silk thread trick to cut off the periscope cover and repositioned it open.
I also completed the periscopes, however I will show them to good effect when I have painted them.

-Dan