Hi everyone, I am new to the site here. I am getting back into modeling after 25 years. A lot has changed no doubt since I made models back in my teens.
Anyway, I purchased a number of models and recently completed my first one. A StuG IV from Tamiya. Perhaps some day I will post a few pics.

However, I have now moved on to begin building two Canadian Shermans, one a Firefly IC and the other a Sherman V. I am building them from the Dragon Firefly kit (6031) and the Tamiya early/mid M4 Sherman (35190). I am going to be swapping pieces from both kits along with some after market upgrades.

My first build is the Sherman IC Firefly which I am intending at this point to represent a IC with the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. This unit fought in Normandy during the initial landings and eventually battled its way to Germany by war's end.

For my IC I am using the following
-Tamiya Kit 35190
-Aber M4 Photoetch kit for the M4/M4A1 (PE 35032)
-Aber Dragon Firefly VC PE (Photo Etch) set (PE35033)
-Accurate Armour's Sherman I upgrade set (A037)
-Formations pressed spoke wheels for the Sherman (F041)
-The Sherman VC Turret from the Firefly kit

I will be using the complete Aber PE set for the M4 but just the Aber VC turret PE parts.
I really like the Accurate Armour kit and will be using the kit's British/Commonwealth tools and accessories for my IC while using the rear turret box that comes with the kit for the Sherman V.
I will use the radio box for my IC that comes with the Dragon kit and will be adding a PE built blanket box to the back of the radio box as well. The Aber Firefly VC PE set includes the elements to build this box.

As most Sherman modellers know the Tamiya kit does not have the sponsons built onto the lower hull. As a result if you build it as is without the sand shields you will notice an open gap between the upper and lower hull. There is a diagram on the net with instructions on how to build these sponsons accurately but I don't intend to have an interior view of the tank so I simply cut up some plastic card and built the sponsons myself. I must say when I put the upper and lower hull together after doing this it looked pretty good. There is a slight gap between where the plastic card from the upper and lower hull meet but this can easily be filled since it is barely noticeable.

Hi Dave,
A company called Formations does a load of Sherman parts, they also stock resin sponson infills for the Tamiya sherman.

Working on two Dragon Fireflies myself, one of them being Douglas Kays VC.

Matt

should be intereasting how about u post some pictures of your build so peopel get the chance to see your work

Hi Matt, Great to you enaged in a firefly build as well.

I was saw those sponsons from Formations as well but I wanted to try a little scratch building myself to get a not more familiar with this part of modeling. I didn't think it would be too difficult so I gave it a shot.

Cheers,
Dave.

Hi James, I am new to this site and am trying right now to get a couple of pics up to show you. Stand by.

Cheers,
Dave.

Hi Dave good luck with the Sherman's i too can't wait to see the pics of your progress

Okay guys, here is the first pic showing the horizontal part of the sponsons.

...And the vertical portion from the lower hull.

I am going with the early/mid road wheels and cast drive sprocket since every photo I have seen of a IC has this type of sprocket with the cast transmission cover.
The Idler is from Formations.

I have some squadron putty pasted on the hull which will represent dried/caked on mud.

Side view showing the sponsons now covering the lower hull.

Firefly IC build showing Tamiya M4 early Sherman hull with raised weld beads made from evergreen styrene, Accurate Armour hatches, Aber PE for hatches, scratch built hatch spring, Dragon Firefly VC Turret.

Note the front of the bogies on the left and right side of the tank. Shermans had 4 (lubricating?) holes, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom on the front of each bogie.
I used a pin Vice to drill the 4 holes for each one to accurately represent this effect.

I also cut off the molded on clamps on the left side of the tank and replaced them with resin clamps from Formations which have more definition. I created weld beads around each one with some putty.

Still need to add additional armour plate to drivers side of hatch and add heavy weld beads in addition to the kit parts ie. headlamps etc.

I have some US clamps and clasps from Formations and was thinking of adding a clasp to the right side of the transmission cover to secure the tow cable. I saw one of these clasps welded to the cast transmission cover on a U.S. sherman and thought it might look nice to add one to this tank as well.

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can't wait to see this sherman built dave, the mods you've done so far really bring the kit to life, i've got the imperial series firefly IC in my stash seeing this build is tempting me to have ago at it, though i might wait till i get some AM stuff for it. good luck with the rest of your build. Ant

Don't forget the hockey-puck add-on armour, the goalie-pad side-skirts, plus the extra stowage and racks for the hockey sticks and Labatt's 50 Ale!

(all kidding aside...I'm looking forward to following this build)



...a Proud Canadian who grew up in the hometown of the RHLI !

Hi Dave,

Very nice work. I built one of these a good while ago, had a lot of fun with it.

Coming along really well.

Al

Thanks Gents,

The quality of my pictures is not that great but I will try to improve this as I post more pictures. I currently just have a point a shoot digital camera.

Also, I forgot to mention in my opening post regarding add-ons. I also purchased this Lionmarc Firefly aluminum barrel for the kit on ebay for US$5

Hi Dave,
Before i got the two Dragon Fireflies,
I had a go a Kit bashing one - it was an expencive job:
Tank workshop Turret,
Verlinden M4A2 Upper Hull,
Tamiya Lowerhull and running gear.
It looks very squashed alongside the two Dragons.

Matt

Hi Matt, good to hear from you. Do you have any pictures of your firefly(s)

I agree it's an expensive propostion. What with the PE, turrets, tracks etc.

Dave,

Following this with interest since I am a Canadian armor fan and because I have all the parts to do both a IC and a IC Hybrid (I spent all my AMPS money last year at Formations table lol). With Dragon releasing a M4 now I was actually wondering if I would start with that rather than the Tamiya hull as a base.

Good work so far.

Rob

Hi Dave,
I've just stripped the Kitbashed one to do some repairs, I wasn't happy with the paint finish and the small detail of the Gunbarrel being bent.
I'll take some pics of the dragon ones as the have longer Hulls and look better.

Matt

Dave
A very nice clean build so far ,next to the Tiger the firefly is my next fav tank, I will follow this build with interest
Andy

Hi Dave ...Been reading your post and looks like your doing a pretty darn nice job on your conversions...One thing though ...from what I can find out the Sherbrook Fusiliers had VC's and not IC's ..

http://web.archive.org/web/20010410004711/www.geocities.com/MotorCity/8418/21agt-1.htm

Canadians did get a few IC's and quite a few IC Hybrids later in Holland but I don't think any regular IC's were with the SF.

Good luck with your project and I do have a picture of a Canadian IC even if it's not with the Sherbrook Fusileirs...



Rick

Hi Rob,

Yes I have seen the new M4 Sherman from Dragon. I would definitely look at using it for a conversion versus the Tamiya kit. I might want to get that Dragon kit myself and build an American M4 in Normandy.

All the best.
Dave.

Hi Matt, looking forward to seeing the pics.