Hey all! Since Mike Stevenson's PM box is getting pounded into dust on this topic, I thought I would post a thread starter. Ask us about the topic on this thread, and Mike, Moustafa, or myself wil chime in with an answer. Note: There will be stuff that we can't be really specific on just yet, as the material is pending publication in the December and January issues of Military Modelcraft International. Once those are in print, we'll have the ability to be more forthcoming. For now, I'll state that fairly detailed technical information will see print in the coming issues. We spent a LOT of time gathering all this, and it wasn't easy. Getting access to the sole surviving tank was incredibly difficult...but we got it done. Be patient, guys...the information will be available to all very soon.

Hi Greg,

I a quick questions: Will all of the Fireflys on the Bison decal sheet receive photographic coverage in the magazine?

Thanks,

-Doug

Well here's a simple one- what's the best kit to start out with?

Pat, there's no doubt about the best kit: Tasca. It's the best detailed and most accurate OOB, with very few quibbles even for the most dedicated Shermaniac. Fot the early period, it can in fact be built OOB as a Lebanese Army example (right down to the OD color). Later ones will require some M4A2 parts and scratchbuilding...and all of that will be covered in the magazine issues.
Greg

Hi Greg,

I´ve ordered the set for the later ones, those of the phalangite militia. I love the tacky look of the tank with christian crosses and cedar trees painted in the sides and religious and phalangite leader pictures on it. It also appear to be a well-weathered and beaten vehicle.

I have the Firefly from and a spare Dragon Sherman III for exhausts and engine deck.

I´ll get the December issue of MMI for reference and I´ll be looking forward this thread for further information.


Ps. I´ve post a message in the Track-Link thread about this: I´ve got a warning message about a Trojan when visiting MMI website today. I use Kaspersky antivirus sofware.


Thanks and Best Regards,

César

Hi,Doug,
As far as I know there will be three tanks with the sheet markings in the Dec & Jan issues
of MMI.
As for me I have built a total of (6) Lebanese Fireflies for my collection.

Cheers!
Mike

Can u give a cost and where I can get a set of decals. I am in Canada.

Thanx Doug

Hi,Doug,
You can get a set by e-mailing David the Editor of MMI at [email protected].
and you can pay by (PayPal) The cost of the set is 4.99 pounds.

That should help you out.
Don't forget the Dec & Jan issues will cover the Lebanese Firefly in more detail.

Cheers!
Mike

Hi,All,
Here's for some Clarification from
David Grummitt Editor Military Modelcraft International.

"Guys
There has been some rumours about the security of the Guidelines website and the possibilites of virus being caught from it. Please accept my assurances that there is no problem whatsoever with the website www.guidelinepublications.co.uk and that their ordering facility in 100% secure. Please note too that the decals and MMI subscriptions can be purchased directly from me by using paypal at mmieditor@live,co.uk. Thanks."
All Best
David

Thank you for the information, Mike.




Well, I only have (1) Firefly in my collection, and she does not wear Lebanese markings, so I better get to work.

-Doug

Hey,Doug,
Yes, I had fun building all the Lebanese Fireflies for my collection.
So have fun!

Cheers!
Mike

I' ve received my decals sheets.
They are beautyfull, and the littlecards very usefull.

But after some research I don't find any pics from all the Firefly versions depicted in theinstructions sheets !

Can some one give some information about the accuracy from this decals ?
TIA
regards

Pascal,
I suggest you get our magazine, Military Modelcraft International issues Dec, Jan and Feb, we will be running in depth articles with good live images of service tanks.
cheers

Moustafa Assad
Assistant Editor

Thanks a lot Moustapha.

I'(ve bought this review.
Regards

I just received mine today and they look great.. so, thank you, Moustafa

Since I don't really like the Sherman (sorry) I'm thinking of doing an M113, and a "Mourabitoun" Staghound like this picture I found.



Looks like the old destroyed downtown Beirut.

Cheers
Hisham

Sounds great!
I did on my Mourabetoun Firefly the slogans in Red on Black and Black on White for a artistic
touch on that build.
NOTE: You'll have to match each slogan in the Black and White if your doing a Staghound
as pictured as they'll match. 1st the White slogan and then the Black slogan,slide the black slogan forward to make the shadow effect.

Cheers!
Mike

The problem I'm having is with the color of the vehicle. What I remember from when I was living in Beirut during the war is that most vehicles used by most Lebanese factions were dark green or some shade of olive drab (since a lot of them were taken from the Lebanese army)... but the vehicle in the pic looks like it's a light color. So, I don't know what color to choose.

Any opinions?

Hisham

Hisham,
from the photos I have seen of Staghounds. I would go with this mix.
Lifecolor: (85%) UA112 (FS 30219) ITL. Light Sand 4.
AND
Lifecolor: (15%) UA099 (FS 36400) Lite Stone.

This is the mix I would use for such a project as a Mourabetoun Staghound.
Just my take on it.

Cheers!
Mike

Thanks for the tip, Mike.

I've never used Lifecolor paints before. Do they airbrush straight out of the bottle?

If you use a thinner.. which kind do you use, and what percentage in the mix?

Thanks a lot

Hisham

Hi,Hisham,
Your welcome for the info.

Lifecolor paints have to be thinned, I have found that useing Lifecolors brand of thinner for
airbrushing is good for the job. The paint is thinned to a 75% paint to 25% thinner mix.
Hope that helps.

Cheers!
Mike

Thank you for putting up with all my questions. You've been a great help.

Cheers
Hisham

Hi,Hisham,
Not a problem. As modelers we can't learn if we don't ask questions.
That is how all modelers advance in this hobby.

Cheers!
Mike

I'm planning on making the Lebanese army version with the resicast firefly engine beside it and maybe some mechanics or crew members. The mechanic I guess can be in overalls but any idea what the Lebanese Army uniform of the 50s and 60s looked like?

Hi,Pat,
The Lebanese Army Tank crews in the late 50s where wearing one of two things.
#1) A 1pc Khaki jumpsuit of French or US design with a French WWII Tank helmet of a French OD green and black boots,with brown leather belts.
#2) A light OD Green short sleave shirt or long sleave shirt with the sleaves rolled up was worn. Light OD Green pants with the ends of the paint legs placed into the black boots,brown leather belts and sidearms as well where worn. A black beret of French design was worn it was sloped from right to left and not left to right as seen in UK or US designs. The type of sidearm is unknown to me at this time most likely it would be of French design. When working on the Tank a 1pc OD or Khaki jumpsuit was worn.
As to the 1960s the main thing was a French Tank helmet was used that look much like the US WWII Tanker Helmet, Tank crews used the same 1pc and shirt &pants combo as seen in the 1950s.
Hope this help out.

Cheers!
Mike