Sherman IC Firefly "??d?o" 1/16 (scratch)
Posted: Sun May 28, 2017 10:26 am
Some time ago the construction of aircraft models bore me boredom, so I decided to build something without wings. Being in a modeling competition in city Bytom, I saw a demonstration of the model of the RC Tiger tank on a scale of 1/16, intrigued me by this phenomenon. The model was typically boxed, but he rode and roar good, aroused my curiosity and willingness to build a similar invention. Although this first model seen externally was full of shortcomings and grooming, it had the potential to modify what only further encouraged me. I started to study the subject and came out that the manufacturer of that model was Chinese HengLong, while the best tanks of such tanks are made by Japanese Tamiya. Because I'm not a fan of German military, I decided that my model would be a car used by the Allies, preferably Poles. I chose Tamiya's Sherman and after several months hunting for the opportunity I was able to buy quite a bit of money for this model. The Sherman of this manufacturer presents a vehicle with a 105mm clearance and a HVSS suspension. I particularly liked the tank with the word " ?ad?o”(Sting) on the sides of the hull. What was important to me was that the vehicle was used by Polish soldiers, and specifically by the 1 Pu?k U?anów Krechowieckich (1st Krechowiak Uhlans Regiment).
The reconstruction of the kit proved to be not so easy, because the Tamiya model presented a vehicle of a completely different design compared to the Sherman Firefly IC with composite hull and VVSS suspension. There was a lack of proper knowledge about tanks, in general, and in particular the Sherman. After all, tanks are not my domain, and basically modeling novelty, because I have not done any yet, and this was supposed to be the first. Yes, so I made contact with Sherman tank specialists and received a number of advice and valuable tips from this tank. In addition, I bought the monograph of this tank and downloaded a lot of photos from the Internet with the details of these tanks. I logged in also at RCtank.pl forum where I met many enthusiasts of such models with great knowledge of historical and technical. It turned out that my chosen type of Sherman is quite unusual because apart from another hull and modified tower also has an unusual suspension with support and tensioning wheels of the early type (openwork construction) and drive wheels with full toothed rims. The choice of this vehicle has forced me a lot of modifications, but I like modeling challenges so I started to act with enthusiasm.
The construction of the model began four years ago and with little breaks I managed to finish it recently. Generally I am happy with him, although as always, some things could have made me better. The model had its official premiere at this year's modeling competition in Wroclaw, and compared with still cousins on the same scale, it was not the worst. Refining and painting the model has given me a lot of pleasure, and at the same time I have to admit that it was a far simpler task compared to the aircraft models. The mechanics of the model works perfectly and the model moves perfectly in every terrain. Most of the drive design solutions are my own ideas. I am particularly proud of the performance of the two-speed drivetrain and the mechanism to simulate a recoil of a cannon during a shot. Presented this model as made from scratch, because only the control electronics (MF-02 and DMD) remained unchanged from the original Tamiya kit. The hull and the tower have been thoroughly rebuilt and have not retained any of the components. I personally made imitations on cast surfaces and any welds. Most of the details of the external equipment are made by me from scratch or strongly improved with respect to the factory solutions. I have adapted to the model after large shifts from the Sherman model of Matoro. I improved its design and operation and complemented with a number of details. All the wheels of the model were made from scratch with metal. The caterpillars are an improved HengLong product unfortunately they are not ideal but I have accepted their imperfections for their effectiveness. The model ready for the eel weighs about 10kg, making it realistically moving in the field. Moving such mass requires efficient drive, strong suspension and sturdy tracks. The only metal at the time offered only Henglong. Matoro replacements are now available, but they are inaccurate when it comes to scale and quality. The crew figures were basically built from scrach, and I used the head and hands from other sets to build them. Model painted military spray paint type Fosco because of its excellent grip and damage resistance. I used this paint as a primer for other modeling paints, which gave the final appearance of the model. Markings are painted from templates. The model I decided to scold with fashionable methods to make the traces of exploitation, not quite with a successful result, in my opinion I slightly overdone. The assumption, however, was that the model represented the vehicle heavily used. Part of the equipment on the model is my modeling vision, but based on the most acceptable scenario and documentation. I wanted it to be interesting, and nothing like authentic miniatures like tiny details on it. It is important not to overdo and stick to possible facts. The only known photo of the "Sting" is that some additional elements (boxes) are attached to the front armor and the engine plate. However, due to the poor quality of the picture, it is difficult to determine exactly what it is, so I placed food ration boxes, ammunition, canister and other trifles there.
The model has the following functions:
• forward and reverse (the suspension is set so that the tank naturally leans forward when braking or backward when starting),
• turning right left,
• knitting gearbox (single, double, clearance),
• rotating the tower (360 degrees),
• cannon elevation,
• simulation of cannon shot, camshaft repulsion, barrel firing, sound and smoke effect, and impact on the tank body (shake at the shot),
• simulation of the shot from the moment (sound and flash)
• operating lighting,
• working sounds (engine start and operation, shot from cannon and Wkm) amplified by 10W amplifier,
• Open the driver's manhole with the moving figure (lifts and nods sideways),
• Moving Commander Figure (lifts binoculars into the eyes),
• Proportional smoke generator (remotely operated).
More details on model construction can be found here:
http://rctank.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?f=83&t=780
Model photo gallery:
And My photo studio:
Film with driving soon
