Kansas, United States
Joined: August 17, 2005
KitMaker: 725 posts
Armorama: 340 posts
Posted: Monday, June 05, 2006 - 11:06 AM UTC
I was wondering where Fireflies were produced. It is my understanding that the majority of components (engine, driveline, etc.) came from the U.S. but were assembled in Britain. Is this the case?
"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!" Eleanor Roosevelt
California, United States
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 1,141 posts
Armorama: 950 posts
Posted: Monday, June 05, 2006 - 11:34 AM UTC
The Firefly was a British conversion of the standard 75mm armed Sherman. The U.S. supplied complete Shermans to the British who in turn coverted them to Fireflies by adding the 17pdr, a turret bustle extension, new ammunition stowage, radios, etc. There was no actual assembly of the base Sherman tank in Britain.
Chris "toadman" Hughes
Toadman's Tank Pictures Chris "toadman" Hughes
http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com
http://toadmanstankpictures.blogspot.com/
Wales, United Kingdom
Joined: July 20, 2004
KitMaker: 3,791 posts
Armorama: 2,798 posts
Posted: Monday, June 05, 2006 - 12:17 PM UTC
IIRC the conversions were carried out at either Royal Ordnance Factories or depots. It's a while since I looked through Mark Hayward's Firefly Bible, but I think they might have been in Leeds and maybe Chilwell.
I'd point you towards Mark Hayward's website, but it seems to be down at the moment.
Archaeology is destruction - providing you do it properly
Barlands Farm Model Boat Club 1993