¹⁄35

Polish Firefly Ic

This is a 1/35th Scale Firefly Ic (Hybrid) that I just completed using the superb Dragon kit. The Firefly has always been one of one of my favorite tanks and the Dragon version came with Polish markings. I have always wanted to build a WW 2 armored subject from the Polish combat arm so I figured this would be a good opportunity.

Construction of the tank was very simple and straightforward. The kit features photo-etch parts and they accent the model nicely. I added scratch built appliqué armor to the hull. I brushed on Mr. Surfacer 500 to the edges of the armor and stippled it with a short brush when it was tacky to give the armor a rough look. Once the tank was built it was primed with Model Master Enamel Primer to give the model a robust undercoat for the thinners and mineral spirits to follow. The Firefly was painted with a topcoat of eight parts Humbrol 159 mixed with one part Humbrol Black to simulate the SCC 15 overcoat. Post-shading was then done a mixture of the top-coat that had been lightened with yellow. Additional shading was done with Tamiya Smoke that had been thinned with Tamiya Thinner and applied at low pressure, via my Paasche airbrush.

At this point the tank was gloss-coated and the decals were applied. I then gave the model a bath of mineral spirits tinted faintly with raw umber oils to tone down the top coat. I then added scratches and marks to the tank using Vallejo Smoke applied with a small brush and a lead pencil. Following this, pin washes were added using mineral spirits and a high concentration of Burnt Umber Oil Paint. Fuel leaks and stains were also added using the new Testors Acrylic Washes.

The tank was then flat-coated with Testors Dullcote thinned with Metalizer Thinner. At this point I added a variety of pigments to the model using MIG and CMK pigments, sealed with mineral spirits. I applied heavy doses of the pigments to reflect the grit and grime of hard fought combat.

After all the weathering was complete, I added the tow cable to the hull and the .50 cal mount to the turret. I also added resin stowage set from Legends and this was painted with a variety of Vallejo Colors. Washes were applied to the stowage as well.

The finished model represents a Polish Sherman Firefly Ic from 3 Sqn., 6th Amrd. Regiment. This was a very enjoyable build and the Dragon offering is really a superb kit.