It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:19 pm

I needed to duplicate the fire extinguishers used on British armor, which was difficult because there are few references to the bottle shape or size and they are missing from the Arberdeen vehicles. Finally, I found one to scale from. So this is my rendering. I also produced the bracket and the strap that holds it will be made from lead foil and .015 brass rod when they are mounted. The bottles, as mentioned were made from plastic shapes. Tube, hex rod and .28 brass rod and a bit of miliput. To get the round ends i chucked it up in the drill and with a wet finger I used the drill to make them uniform. Similar to using a pottery wheel.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:24 pm

I needed to make the gun crutch and the armor that covered the bow machine gun position. I used sheet plastic and scaled the parts from 1/35 plan drawings. I drew the patterns out, laid waxed paper over them and assembled the gun crutch. Similar to building a wooden aircraft.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:29 pm

Here I have mounted the bow machine gun armor and the missing angle iron and have completed the welds.

ausf · Post by **ausf** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:33 pm

You sir, are an artist.

It's a real treat to watch the attention paid and execution of detail of your build.

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:37 pm

I made the applique armor with sheet plastic. I used a scriber to make the upper portions bend to confirm to the curve of the armor, then the usual miliput for the welds.

Red Devils · Post by **Red Devils** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:16 pm

Buddy, that Firefly is coming along great. As for foreign wings, none, just Canadian ones. Everytime the Regt would go places, I was either overseas or out doing a sniper comp somewheres. One day, only 13 more years till retirement. Once again dude, very sharp. That tank will be third on my list to do, if the Corporal (the wife) will let me. Dam non- commissioned officers who manage the money. Later...

X82d Pathfinder · Post by **X82d Pathfinder** » Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:18 pm

I fabricated the rear deck storage box, first aid box and the turret storage from sheet plastic, .015 brass rod and straight pins. I was trying to figure out what I'd use for the rivets that held the middle strap on, the pin heads made great rivets. Improvise, overcome and adapt! Anyway, simple "gizmatology" worked out. The latches I filed into shape to give them the appearance of the flip style units and the hinges were simply made with .035 plastic rod that was measured and cut with a razor saw.