Hybrid hull conversion

[88-bait]

Has anyone tried this way to make a 1C hybrid Firefly or even a 75mm? It saves all that cutting as the cast hull has the same dimensions as the welded hull. Admittedly, this was my first conversion at this scale and I thought I would give my idea a go.

It involved grinding off the cast features and detail of the Mato M4A1 and replacing the curved lines with the straight lines of the welded rear half. This was done using plasti-card and Milliput two part putty. All the curved lines of the cast hull were sharpened up at the corners of the rear hull, deck and the rear panel, plus the rear panel was restyled with the 'U' shaped cut out of the early M4.

Milliput was then used to re-inforce the plasti-card and was sanded down where necessary; the welds can be added at the same stage. If you can do that, then the rest should be easy for you. It worked for me and the finished hull was fitted to a HL chassis using the Mato rear panel, although in hindsight, I might as well used the Mato bottom half. Hey, I'm new to this scale!

There was no need for the hessian camo, but being a Firefly it seemed the right thing to do although it obscures the applique armour and the body lines, but its all there where it should be Food for thought? Or has it been done before?

[43rdRecceReg]

It's always interesting, and potentially mind-expanding (in a non-Hippy sense!) to consider alternative ways of doing things. Just look at the pros and cons of High and low-wing monoplanes!
In any event, your approach seems well-thought out, and well-executed. More than that, it's a Firefly you're working on, and we really have to applaud that

[88-bait]

To me, it was very successful, but its been and gone now, sold off. I understand some of the draughtsmen here wont consider doing it that way, but there are all sorts of levels of competency in this game and it might suit some.

Having said that, I'm about to do the Hybrid thing again, only the cut & shut way and I'm quite anxious to see how that starts off. I do have that 75mm turret under construction, but the call of another firefly is getting stronger

Thanks for the input me ol mucker (Nothing wrong with hippy music )

[HERMAN BIX]

Hell it works for me, and Im a full on Sherman bogan
The Firefly was the first tank kit i ever got(matchbox 1/76- 1974ish) and since then Ive only done one other (1/35th Sherman Calliopie-1981ish)so for me the Firefly is the only Sherman I have any affinity with.
Nice conversion and love the hessian cam-cover

[88-bait]

Hell it works for me, and Im a full on Sherman bogan
The Firefly was the first tank kit i ever got(matchbox 1/76- 1974ish) and since then Ive only done one other (1/35th Sherman Calliopie-1981ish)so for me the Firefly is the only Sherman I have any affinity with.
Nice conversion and love the hessian cam-cover

It was my first Sherman too and around the same time! I just sold a host of 1/35th Sherman's to fund my new addiction and I have another hybrid cut & shut project ready to start. This time its a case of careful measurements and cuts as this one will be a more conventional conversion. The only problem I envisage is the BB firing 17Lb gun and possibly the mantlet. Cue the camo net......