England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 06:48 PM UTC
Just thought i would share my latest project
Its DML's Firefly built more of less OOB.
I added casting texture to the turret and attempted (the emphasis on attempted) to raise the welds on the hull and lost a lot of hair building the indi track links
Its painted with Humbrol enamels and weathered with chalk pastels.
Im no Sherman expert so there may be one or two errors but im putting that down to artistic licence hehehehe
Apologies for the quality of the pics , its dull and rainy here today , if the sun ever comes out i will attempt some pics in natural light.
Any comment/advice greatly appreciated as allways
Ian
Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 2,798 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 06:56 PM UTC
Don't let it go anywhere near Villers Bocage
Cos something nasty will happen to it.
Nice work.
The only thing I would say is that Sherman welding is a bit softer in real life
http://tanxheaven.com/ljs/fireflyljs/9920-Sherman-VC-Firefly,Ursel.JPG Archaeology is destruction - providing you do it properly
Barlands Farm Model Boat Club 1993
Texas, United States
Joined: July 05, 2002
KitMaker: 717 posts
Armorama: 621 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 06:59 PM UTC
I like it, and it looks like you did a really good job on the tracks. I also like the texture on the turret, and the lettering to ehlp it get loaded for it's ride across the Channel. Hope you get some sunshine soon, because the model should be seen in the best light available.
The impractical we ignore right away, the impossible we bill by the hour...
Ontario, Canada
Joined: September 15, 2005
KitMaker: 1,901 posts
Armorama: 553 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 07:04 PM UTC
Great Firefly Ian, good placement of stowage, blends in well. I can sympathize with you on those tracks, having built three DML shermans, not only is the track assembly difficult, but if you apply too much liquid glue, or too strong a glue, the end connectors crack and split on you!
Frank
Currently working on:
350th Hasegawa Nagato
350th Hasegawa Isokaze
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 08:32 PM UTC
Thanks for the kind words guys
Quoted Text
The only thing I would say is that Sherman welding is a bit softer in real life
David, it wasnt till after i had given the Firefly the first base coat of OD that i realised the welds didnt look quite right but I just decided to go with it anyway lol , maybe my next Sherman will be more sublte
Villiars Bocage
Quoted Text
having built three DML shermans, not only is the track assembly difficult, but if you apply too much liquid glue, or too strong a glue, the end connectors crack and split on you!
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh tell me about it , my first ever encounter with this type of track , took some time to get them assembled then painted , I must admit they do look much better than the "rubber band" type tracks but boy oh boy
Ian
#202
Ontario, Canada
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 12, 2006 - 11:50 PM UTC
I really like it alot. You did a nice job on it and the weathering is nice and subtle which is how I try to do my kits.
Quoted Text
Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh tell me about it , my first ever encounter with this type of track , took some time to get them assembled then painted , I must admit they do look much better than the "rubber band" type tracks but boy oh boy
I have this kit and this is the reason why I havn't gotten around to doing it yet. I guess I just need to get off my but and give it a go.
Jeff
Lisboa, Portugal
Joined: March 25, 2005
KitMaker: 1,002 posts
Armorama: 720 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:14 AM UTC
England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
Armorama: 4,258 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 12:18 AM UTC
Nice one Ian, you did a good job on those indi links. I chickened and used Resin ones... Are you going to add figures in those hatches?
Cheers
Henk
The early bird may catch the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 03:06 AM UTC
Thanks Jeff , Prato and Henk
Quoted Text
I have this kit and this is the reason why I havn't gotten around to doing it yet. I guess I just need to get off my but and give it a go.
Jeff
Jeff its a really nice kit , one or two little issues with the fit of the hull front and the instructions are a little vauge but then again thats nothing new with a DML kit
, if i was to build another i would look at aftermarket tracks just to preserve my sanity lol.
Quoted Text
good job on those indi links. I chickened and used Resin ones... Are you going to add figures in those hatches?
Cheers
Henk
Henk , yes I do have some figures to add I was going to use the figure that came with the kit but i was looking at the ultracast figures and i must say they look good.
As i said to Jeff if if i do build another i would go for aftermarket tracks , ive seen accurate armour do the steel chevron type in resin , is this what you used ?
Ian
Armed Forces Pacific, United States
Joined: August 14, 2005
KitMaker: 311 posts
Armorama: 182 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 03:12 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Apologies for the quality of the pics , its dull and rainy here today , if the sun ever comes out i will attempt some pics in natural light.
ROFL...It's that way everyday here!!!! The winter months are the worst. When I worked in an old bunker with no windows I would get to work (0730) when it was dark, and then then when I left work (1630) it would be dark. They actually have people sit under UV lamps to cheer them up.
Anyways nice build. How was the kit overall. I thought about buying it. Does it come with any PE or metal barrell or anything. I like the stowage you added.
Cheers,
Ryan
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: August 29, 2005
KitMaker: 1,267 posts
Armorama: 969 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 03:14 AM UTC
I really must break my preference of German armour, I have always thought the Sherman a boring green lump, but seeing all the great looking builds here, I must really have a go. I think though that it will be a 1/48th one though.
Great Build on your part.
John
Rack Catch Plunger Release Catch Cam
A nasty thing in the Rarden Cannon that unleashes a monster that loves to eat the fingers of unwary gunners.
Armed Forces Pacific, United States
Joined: August 14, 2005
KitMaker: 311 posts
Armorama: 182 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 03:18 AM UTC
Verlinden is making some great add on's for the 1/48 kit. I think the 1/48 Sherman Callilope would look good, or the one with the giant mineroller.
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 03:20 AM UTC
Thanks Ryan and John
Maybe tomorrow IF the sun comes out , i will get some better pics.
The kit does comes with a small PE fret for the light guards , antenna mount and grills for the small intakes on the rear hull , no metal barrel im afraid.
As regards the kit itself there are one of two hull fit issues and i did read that some people had problems with the turret halves fitting correctly but i guess i got lucky
I think DML are plannning to release a new Firefly next year so going by there newer releases lots of PE and metal barrel
The stowage is a mixture of tissue and pva glue for the tarps , assorted boxes are from the scrap box and the tow bar is scratchbuilt.
The quarter scale Sherman looks really nice and there seems to be loads of AM stuff coming out, but im afraid im sticking with 1/35th just even to preserve my eyesight
Ian
#202
Ontario, Canada
Joined: December 19, 2004
KitMaker: 884 posts
Armorama: 602 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 04:08 AM UTC
I forgot to ask in my original post.
What colour did you use to paint your Firefly?
Jeff
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 05:13 AM UTC
Jeff
It was painted Humbrol olive drab ( spray can ) over a a grey primer coat
Ian
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: October 23, 2005
KitMaker: 77 posts
Armorama: 33 posts
Posted: Friday, January 13, 2006 - 10:34 PM UTC
A great looking Firefly, I really like the arrangement of the stowage.
Thanks for showing it to us.
Mark
Tally Ho, Pip Pip and Bernard's your Uncle.
Blackadder
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 06:06 AM UTC
Thanks Mark , im hoping to get to get some better pics uploaded tomorrow
Ian
#047
England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
Joined: September 13, 2005
KitMaker: 2,016 posts
Armorama: 1,187 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 06:36 AM UTC
Nice one Ian,
I was thinking about buying a firefly,(not being a great fan of the sherman,s*%t that will upset a few!!)
but your pic has convinced me,GET ONE
The last Shermie I built was 1991,a Italeri/Verlinden bash
Hope mine comes out as good as yours
Andy
Major Caryle,
"Shall we have a go at the far end now,sir?"
Lt Colonel "Johnny" Frost,
"Having a go,is hardly text book terminology Harry"
Major Caryle,
"But you'll let us try sir?"
A Bridge Too Far
Lottery Campaign "Oh de Vichy"
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 07:49 AM UTC
Thanks Andy
Looking at the pic of your Sherman im sure if you did a Firefly it would look fantastic
Ian
England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
Armorama: 4,258 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 08:03 PM UTC
Hi Ian,
Yes I used the Accurate Armour ones. You say there is a figure included in your kit? What is it like?
Cheers
Henk
The early bird may catch the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese...
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: January 10, 2006
KitMaker: 91 posts
Armorama: 76 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 11:22 PM UTC
All these beutiful Firefly's are a big inspiration to me to get my finger out and get my one finished !! I am very interested in the one that Torchy has built as that is the type I want to build to reproduce a Coldstream Guards onr that had the 'Tulip' system fitted on the turret sides (60lb typhoon rockets). Colin.
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 11:32 PM UTC
Once again thanks for all the kind comments
Henk you get 2 full figures included, one a crewman wearing the pixie suit and the other a tommy. The crewman isnt to bad at all and certainly usable , but there was somthing about the tommy that didnt look quite right so hes going to the spare limbs box :-)
Colin as with most DML kits you do get a lot of extra parts and funnily enough there is ONE of the rockets with the rail included , if you can someone else with another one to match , pm me with your addy and i will post it to you.
Ian
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: January 10, 2006
KitMaker: 91 posts
Armorama: 76 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 14, 2006 - 11:41 PM UTC
Thanks for that Ian but I'm half a step ahead already !! I ended up buying another Firefly to convert back to an M4A4 (V) 75mm gun tank using the Formations resin set, so now have two rockets and launch rails. Only snag is that Dragon did'nt bother to include any info on assembling the rail mounting frame/brackets. There is a good picture on Accurate Armours site in colour that shows hoe it looks close up. I just need to buy myself a good quality colour printer so I can have a ready reference on the wall in front of my desk. Colin.
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2005
KitMaker: 943 posts
Armorama: 825 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 03:22 AM UTC
No problem Colin
Will be an interesting project , hope to see some pics
Ian
Ontario, Canada
Joined: January 09, 2005
KitMaker: 577 posts
Armorama: 446 posts
Posted: Sunday, January 15, 2006 - 08:41 AM UTC
Nice looking Firefly. I am trying to figure a way around building a set on my current project plus I am working on a set of Dragon HVSS.
Again nicely done.
