Canadian FireFly HL M4A3 Conversion

[Wildboar44]

Following on from my current Normandy Tiger 101st PzAbt rebuild to Tiger 131 , I want to built an accompanying rival in the form of a
Canadian FireFly , whilst the HL Sherman I have recently purchased is the American only M4A3 model , I have worked out most of the
conversion details ( although there are a bewildering number of Hulls / Engine / turret / Gun / hatch combinations !! ) .

The items I will require that I feel will be hardest to scratch build are as follows , I am asking if any of you fine people know where
the following can be purchased or if they are at all available and where from ?

British 17 Pounder Gun barrel & mantlet
3 Part bolted transmission cover
2 part opening commanders hatch

Plus are there any other "essential" details that must be changed , I know the driver / gunner hatches are very different but any additional
pointers would be very much appreciated

In anticipation of your help I thank you

[MichaelC]

I am pretty sure Impact carries a 17 Pdr with muzzle Brake.

Here is the pic.

http://mitosal.com/Sherman17Pdr.htm

[Wildboar44]

Thanks for your help Guys ........ Impact barrel looks nice and I had not spotted the travel lock !


Learning Shermans rates as one of the most complex series of fighting vehicles ever manufactured ,

One thing I think i have understod correctly (amoung many ! ) is the front glaicia of the HL M4A3 will require changing
from the 47 degree slope and transverse oval later style hatches like this






To a shallower angle of 56 degrees and these longditudanal hatches with armoured cast fairings .



Does anyone know if any one has undertaken such a conversion before ?

And there is the engine deck.....the turret..... ect....

[Wildboar44]

Just an update for those interested in HL Sherman parts , managed to find 2 part early hatch set
from a company called ETO armor, they seem to have the thumbs up on the vendors list in this forum



Link http://www.etoarmour.com/product_detail ... uctID=DP25

They also sell a Travel lock (105mm support) possible substitute for a Firefly 17 pounder version




Also found some track adjusters designed I think for Tamiya but another possible re-jig to suit HL
from Mitosal link http://mitosal.com/16T019.htm

[MichaelC]

To a shallower angle of 56 degrees and these longditudanal hatches with armoured cast fairings .

I never understood why the driver/gunner hatch sticks out from the upper hull and I guess the angle of the front glacis plate explains that. With a less steep angle they have to create the space and hence the two hump ? I hate to say it but it was one of my major obstacle in converting any of the Shermans out there to a Firefly. The only other option is to take the old Mato M4A1 cast hull and make a Hybrid IC Firefly, but they are just not as nice looking as the Firefly VC.

I think if you can source Tamiya parts they also have the commander's round split hatch as well on their Super Shermans.

[Red Devils]

Hey Gordo,

Try this guy, the Sherman boys on the RC Universe.com site talk very highly of Nick Aguilar's resin Sherman Conversions. Here is his e-mail address:

ndaguilar@grandecom.net

Derek

[Wildboar44]

Thanks for the information good people , I will email Nick over the weekend to see what parts he can supply.

As for the Hull conversion, I want to place my Sherman along side the Tiger 131 on my currebt build , so that means
it has to be a M4A4 Sherman from the Canadian brigade , so early hatches and lower slope it has to be if I have taken
the trouble to faithfully replicate Tiger 131 from 101st PzAbt , I can only do the same to the Sherman .

By the way, the Impact tract adjusters .... from the photo I cannot see how they adjust ?? .. whats the answer ?

regards

Gordo

[jagdtigerman]

if you are going to do M4A4 you will have to extend the hull as the M4A4 was longer than the standard sherman
if you are useing the hl sherman it will be a 1c firefly

[Wildboar44]

Thanks Jagd, I have read the M4A4's were longer , with some help I have just discovered how much longer !!

I,ve just got to think up my excuses as to what I tell my wife when she see's me putting a hacksaw through a brand new tank !

"modification's Darling " ..."Im doing it for the kids ?" ... wont cut much mustard right now ! .


Thanks once again for all your replies.... the build list is growing !

[sassgrunt]

Gordo, I sent you a PM with some thoughts about my M4A4 project. Something else to consider about the M4A4 is that they all had the 3-piece transmission housing. You'll either have to scratchbuild one or use the resin one made by Tanktoko. -Mike