Sherman sacrilege...

[tomhugill]

Didn't the Firefly use the VVSS and the M50/51 the HVSS?

I'd never really looked closely at the Sherman suspension before now, Max..but a cursory glance at surviving models, and at the Shadock site (http://the.shadock.free.fr//sherman_min ... index.html)..everyone is familiar with, it does seem as if Fireflies had the VVSS system. That's odd, since the HVSS was a later development- and presumably an improvement- and for this reason you'd expect to see it on the elongated and heavier M4A4 variants.. Looks like I'll have to delve deeper..
How difficult would it be to adapt a 1/16 model, whether, Taigen, HL etc.. to acquire and fit the correct suspension units? OK, there are probably loads of links here on Rctw., but you can give me a quicker response mate

Tankmads build gives you all the details you need....

[Max-U52]

Could you start with the Imex/Taigen M4A3 and modify the upper hull? The lower looks like it may be close (have to get the duckbill tracks), and seems to have the correct style transmission cover. Does anyone know if there were major changes to the lower hull from the M4A3 to the M4A4? I mean, were they the same length and width and all that, or were there some major changes? Dammit, Roy, now you've got me thinking about building a Firefly. As if I don't have enough on my plate already!

[Max-U52]

Sorry, after further investigation I think I was wrong and the Taigen does not have the correct tranny cover. Oops.

[frankie]

If you want to use a Taigen then you can do either a IC or IC hybrid, both used a cast transmission cover...major changes would be converting to small hatches/front hull slope, or cast front welded rear in the case of the hybrid, new engine deck (same as a tamiya hull) and of course all the turret changes..gun, mantlet, hatches, radio box etc...

[frankie]

...both these were std length hulls only the M4a4 VC was stretched...

[43rdRecceReg]

Taigen looks to have the right suspension, Gary..but I did find this oddity, a Brit Sherman with HVSS suspension, and it was also the M4A3 type (supposedly not used by British Army..but maybe this was an example used for evaluation)...and, well, no..I'm not a rivet counter, more a penny counter. My obsessions lie elsewhere. Should the quest for an authentic looking Firefly make my hair greyer than it already is, I may settle for something like this, based on the Taigen (restyled)

[43rdRecceReg]

Didn't the Firefly use the VVSS and the M50/51 the HVSS?

I'd never really looked closely at the Sherman suspension before now, Max..but a cursory glance at surviving models, and at the Shadock site (http://the.shadock.free.fr//sherman_min ... index.html)..everyone is familiar with, it does seem as if Fireflies had the VVSS system. That's odd, since the HVSS was a later development- and presumably an improvement- and for this reason you'd expect to see it on the elongated and heavier M4A4 variants.. Looks like I'll have to delve deeper..
How difficult would it be to adapt a 1/16 model, whether, Taigen, HL etc.. to acquire and fit the correct suspension units? OK, there are probably loads of links here on Rctw., but you can give me a quicker response mate

Tankmads build gives you all the details you need....

Yes, Tom, I'm sure it could...but that would terminate the discussion, and maybe some off- the- beaten- track (no pun) fresh angles on the topic..

[ALPHA]

Hmmm, Ok, but isn't that one of those that shrank in the wash?..a 1/35 ...I don't want anything lilliputian, General. If anything, in my twilight years I'd like to go to 1/8; 1:4 and then- wide-eyed and grinning from sagging jowl to sagging jowl-...yep..to the real thing!! Actually..I'm not kidding! Levity aside, the M4 conversion looks doable; just have to acquire the right surgical saws, and a castle in Hesse (Burg Frankenstein..)

Yup that it is 43....and soon will be making a transition to 1/16th....Guess Mr K is the only one that has paid any attention
I have already completed two of the Sanders School of Tankery Shermans...I already have done a Pershing as well
The Firefly is the last to complete the set
Now with all the new releases from Mato and Taigen....there are so many parts available...much more that when I did these two


So the timing is perfect...the 1/35 will just save me time in searching for details

Spoiler: show

Happy Firefly Hunting 43

ALPHA

[43rdRecceReg]

The precision Chainsaw moment really was impressive. But who on Earth would look for one on Youtube? A rhetorical question, of course, general..you would This is topped though by the use of Barbie-like nymphettes on the Shermans. Am I to suppose that these are 1/35th scale nymphettes, then? The blonde on the right is sitting atop a Sherman which, if it grew a scale or two, would make an ideal Firefly conversion Now, I too had an artistic moment- also using mannequins- on my last visit to Switzerland, and my son's ever increasing collection of weaponry. As a paean to technology, and rueful nod to mini mass extinctions (of the sort the US loves so well)..I created:
"Still life..with Assault Rifles"....

[ALPHA]

Figures are of my own creation 43....kitbashed and modeled "close" to 1/16th ...Not to worry about my Firefly...have it all down on paper

Now about that "arrangement " of weaponry old and new............Not so peaceful
With that said...like the MG 42 when did he get that?


ALPHA