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Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:19 pm
by X82d Pathfinder
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.

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:24 pm
by X82d Pathfinder
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.

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:29 pm
by X82d Pathfinder
Here I have mounted the bow machine gun armor and the missing angle iron and have completed the welds.

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:33 pm
by ausf
You sir, are an artist.

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

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 5:37 pm
by X82d Pathfinder
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.

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:16 pm
by Red Devils
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...

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 6:18 pm
by X82d Pathfinder
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.

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 7:19 pm
by buckeye36
Phenomenal!

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 9:25 pm
by X82d Pathfinder
Thank you for the compliments, gentlemen. I'll continue to post a segment at a time until I'm caught up with the point I am now.

Re: It Begins! My M4A1 based Sherman Firefly Build.

Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 10:57 pm
by MarkofZollo
Sweet! Fantastic work, looking really nice! When will the book you mentioned be coming out?

Cheers, Dave