DGS Firefly conversion, Update 9/20

[Markocaster]

I have extra track links from a set of T49 track (that's the one with the 3-bar cleat track faces), if you want them. You can disassemble them to get the pieces you need. Lucky that you have the correct track faces for your track, as I don't have any of those. Let me know and I'll PM you for an address. -Mike

GOOD GUY ALERT!!!!!!

Mike has provided me with the necessary pieces to complete my Firefly tracks.

Tracks sections with duckbills and additional pins arrived today!

Thanks Mike!!
Barry

He is a good guy indeed. Helped me out with some tiger parts a while back!
Much appreciated

[HERMAN BIX]

And me with Jagdtiger parts

[BarryC]

Firefly update,

Though I have not been posting regularly I have been quite busy with the Firefly as well as getting some work done on the Abrams but that’s for a different thread.
First up is the rework/modifications to the Forward Hull / Transmission Cover. The group of tanks I have chosen to model one of has a different upper mount flange with the sloped interface to the main hull sections. The flanges for the sections also extends to the top of the flange unlike the kit flanges. I figured it would be easier if I removed the kit’s flanges though it turned into a pretty big effort but I think the results speak for themselves.

I also took the opportunity to level out the center area between the flanges making it easier to fit the new flanges, less shape variables to deal with. This is why you see all the Aves, Apoxie Sculpt filling in the center area and beyond. I am also wait more to cure where I am reshaping the Final Drive/Axle extension to push them below the OML of the hull lower plate to give a more prototypical appearance.

More to follow,
Barry

[Markocaster]

That's some fine looking work there

[BarryC]

That's some fine looking work there

Thank you Sir! With all the excellent builds here I'm inspired to push my skills.

I picked up the book "Sherman Firefly" by Mark Hayward, excellent publication, lots and lots of photos. I chose a grouping of Fireflys that has a different upper flange on the 3 piece forwad hull so off I went. The main flanges also extend to the upper edge and changing the upper flange was mucher eaiser than working around the existing flanges so I decided to make new flanges as well.

MENG makes some excellent IM, Nut & Bolt castings which makes them easy to glue into place on the styrene flanges using Tamiya "extra thin" glue.

I am working on replacement external covers for the axle and still have to make the lower mounting flange even though it will not be seen normally.

I'll be posting more photos later today or tomorrow.

Cheers,
Barry

[BarryC]

New Gear Box/Motor mount.

I fabricated a new Gear Box/Motor mount to allow me to move the GBs forward about .100” to push the tracks forward of the Final Dive/Axle housing again going for that prototypical appearance. I do not have a good picture showing the results but will once I get the transmission/hull shaped and refitted. I had to thin the Fwd Hull/Trans Cover on the inside in two places each side to give positive clearance to the GB Frame and large Forward Gear.



I ended up using 4-40 screws to mount the GBs because I could not find Blind Nuts small enough to allow me to use the metric screws as I did on the Abrams mount. I used 4-40 inserts epoxied into the mount to allow me to keep the lower surface flush and used 2-56 Blind Nuts and hardware to secure the mount to the hull.



I eliminated all the “self-tapping” screws into plastic that are guaranteed to strip out at some inopportune moment!!! So I have installed 2-56 Blind Nuts and hardware to secure the forward hull to the lower hull.



TAFN,
Barry

[BarryC]

Another update...retired life is good!

I fabricated the aft Hull Extension Supports using .030” styrene and secured them to .060” “spacers” then epoxied them along with a brass channel to act as a stiffener to the aft hull plate.









TTFN,
Barry

[BarryC]

New “external” axle/final drive covers sized to match 3-piece hull completed. I have also added mounting bolts and flanges to the sides and bottom of the 3-piece hull. Still tweaking final fit but nearly finished.








I have started on the reshaping of the lower hull on the aft end to better match photos.

TAFN,
Barry

[sassgrunt]

That is some credible workmanship, Barry. And, those are the Meng styrene bolt heads you were talking about? Even if some of the detail you're putting into it will be difficult to see; it all looks magnificent!

[BarryC]

That is some credible workmanship, Barry. And, those are the Meng styrene bolt heads you were talking about? Even if some of the detail you're putting into it will be difficult to see; it all looks magnificent!

Mike,

Thank you for the kind words, I am really enjoying the build and hope to put those "wheels" to use soon!

Yuu are correct they are the new Meng Nuts & Bolts. They are very nicely done as you can see.

Thanks,
Barry