This is my Firefly.This is the first Sherman based anything that I have built in a long long time. Its the DML kit. The tracks were a model all by themselves. I have finally figured out how to do these things and get them on the model once complete. I added the tarp and the German Jerry can on the back. The tarp is two part putty and shaped to fit. Alos added the ropes down the sides of the vehicle using thread and painted. Still need to add the antenna as yet. Comments critiques welcomed. Thanks. "Q"

What a beat up tank. Missing a lot of EECs. What set of tracks are those? I don't have the newest Dragon Firefly but the older one didn't come with the EEC.

Wow! Your Firefly looks really nice. I like the paint job in particular. The camo on the barrel looks cool!

Shermie, it is the Firefly Vc kit. (6182) I have the new Bulge Sherman and it has the same tracks in it as well, plus the rubber "V" chevrons as well. Doesa it really look that beat up? I didn't weather it that much at all.

Armorguy, thanks for the nice words. "Q"

I got my BOB Sherman a week ago and haven't looked at the tracks yet. Oh well I guess I know what I'm up against now.

Like it a lot.

Beautiful build

Nice Firefly. I like your cammo.

I espiceally like the weathering on the lower hull.
good job

Love your camo pattern. You might want to dry-brush some silver on the track chevrons and eec's as they will take the wear from ground contact and a little "powder" residue around the co-axial mg. Overall a nice build. Well done! :-) :-)

The camo is very nice! I was waiting on a report from someone about those treads. The missing extenders are a plus!

What did you use to attach them together with?


Jeff

All, thanks for the replies. INDIA11A- In regards to the tracks, they are drybrushed with a metal-ish color already, It just isn't showing up in the pics. I found this color at a local art store in oil. Windsor and Newton Pewter. It brushes on a lot easier than your basic silver paint. I'll go back and add the muzzle blast fromthe MG though. Thanks-
Jeff- I used Weld-on to assemble the tracks. Initially I was using Testor liquid, but it was taking forever to set up enough to handle. The Weld-On fixed that, but I had to move a bit quicker or it would set up too much!
I have another one on deck (Battle of the Bulge) and have a trick I'm going to try to see how it works. I'll let you all know how it goes. As for now, it is time to do a little work on the 1/32 U-boat. This things a beast. Thanks again for the kinds words. "Q"

Matt,
Nice looking job. Really nice overall effect (painting, weathering and build).
Joe

Great job on that firefly!
The paint job is wonderful and so does the mud on the front of the lower hull (how was it done?!).
Two things I'm bothered about are the lack of dust on the tracks, because it's weird that there is dust on the upper hull and almost non on the tracks and lower hull.
And the other thing- isn't the rubber parts of the tracks should be painted matt black?

Great job indeed.

Ori

Looks good, Matt.

Do you have a ref for that paint scheme or were you just feeling creative?

I'd like to see a pic of the rear.

good build there Red4! love the camo too!
btw what colour did you use for the camo? i plan to do something similar on my achilles.

The tracks are an all steel version, hence there is no rubber portion. The mud was made using Liquitex acylic modeling paste and stipled with an old brush. Works great for mud. I'll see about adding some more dust along the suspension and lower hull. Thanks.


Just feeling creative. Glad you like it. I'll get a pic up of the rear end soon.



Model Master OD (non specific) and Humbrol Satin black. I dusted it overall with MM Sand to tone things down a bit and tie things together better. Glad you like it. The scheme on the Achilles is what inspired me to come up with this one. Sort of a creative license I guess. Thanks to all for the responses. "Q"

Hollowpoint, here is the back-end as requested. Thanks again. "Q"



Just realized I need to paint the lights! Doh!!

That is one hell of a beautiful Sherman. Can you explain your track technique? I have two of these kits and have been holding off due to track fear.

HastyP

Great job very subtle weathering, which is nice to see ,are you going to put it in a dio of any sort or just display.
Look very much to seein g more
Cheers Chris

red4 are you entering the firefly for the tank destroyer campaign?

Would this qualify for it? I'm not to "up" on what the Firefly was all about. I thought it was just a Sherman the British tweaked to get some more punch out of. If it qualifys, then sure I'm in. I already have an M-10 in there and an ASU-57. Thanks for the heads up. "Q"

Paul, Thanks for the comments. The technique I used for assembling these tracks went as follows.
1. Double a piece of masking tape over so that the sticky side is up.
2. Lay a straight edge on the tape. This will be your guide.
3. Lay the blocks out on the tape butting them up against the straight edge.
4. Using Weld on, apply a small amout to the inside edge of the end connector.
5. Apply to the tracks.
6. Repeat step 5 until the run of track is complete on one side then remove the straight edge and apply the end connectors to the other side.

However any one does assemble these things, one thing remains constant. It takes a long time to do. The end connectors are small and "Tweezer Launch" frequently occurs. Just be patient and take your time.
It took me the better part of three evenings to get these done and another hour or so to install once complete and painted.. Hope this helps. "Q"