BIG X Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 Now I guess the turret is really rather important. There is a tank commander figure you can pop in the main hatch if you leave it open – but for this one I think I might have the hatches closed. What do you think? Would the tank commander spend more time with his head up – or down??? Here is a ‘schematic’ of the turret… …and here are the kit parts… …I think the ‘hole’ is for the 50 calibre machine gun… …I put two 50cals on my halftrack – but I have heard that they were often taken off tanks – hence the excess ones being used on the halftracks. What do you think – on or off? ...a lousy picture I know - but it looks OK in the flesh. If I'm going to leave it off I need to fill the hole before I start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 Looking at this picture it looks like I will need 2 ‘whip’ aerials. Does anyone know how long they should be and what to make them out of at 1/72 scale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 I’ve figured out what this rogue part is… …it’s the front machine gun – if you build it as an M4A4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 I'm pretty sure someone told me that Fireflies needed their own 'body guard' of normal Shermans? But I can't figure out why - can anyone shed more light on this??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 I have been doing a bit of pondering this evening and I think I’ve ‘found’ a replacement machine gun for the small one on the mantlet. The kit part is a small stub of plastic 1.1mm in diameter. Now whilst having a crafty ciggy I spotted that the gas outlet on my disposable lighter had a tiny hollow metal tube that might fit the bill. So after nearly blowing myself up whilst trying to dismantle it – I now have a small metal hollow tube that is 1.3mm in diameter – here are a couple of ‘very’ close up shots… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 (edited) If youre going to pose this in a column. Id say leave the commander in the hatch. I used to use very fine wire for aerials on my tanks. For aircraft & armor you can use hollow brass or aluminum tubing for gun barrels. Thats what i use. Edited November 25, 2017 by Corsairfoxfouruncle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AgentG Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 There is SO MUCH information about Shermans, their production and usage that you can never say never. G 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 British tanks tended to use 30 calibre mg's rather than 50 calibre, though that's not a hard and fast rule. In this scale, barrel diameter is going to be difficult to define. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 Well I've finally stuck something to something else - PROGRESS!!! Remember this from last night??? ...well now we have this... ...hopefully you can see I've hollowed the muzzle out too... ...I'm liking that 'machine gun' - thank you BIC CIGARETTE LIGHTERS 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 Now after @Army_Air_Force was kind enough to send me some Sherman photos I noticed that the 'real thing' has these... but the kit only has these... I pondered chopping them off - drilling a couple of holes and replacing them with wire - but what the heck - I was feeling brave and I had a bit in the drill - so I closed my eyes and 'went for it'... ...the same applies at the back - here is the 'real thing'... ...and here is my attempt... not bad I think 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Army_Air_Force Posted November 25, 2017 Share Posted November 25, 2017 How big are they on the model. It's years since I've had a 1/72 Sherman, but from memory, the hull is about 3 inches long. The lifting eyes must be tiny! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 25, 2017 Author Share Posted November 25, 2017 10 minutes ago, Army_Air_Force said: How big are they on the model. It's years since I've had a 1/72 Sherman, but from memory, the hull is about 3 inches long. The lifting eyes must be tiny! I've just measured it... ... 2.5mm outside edge... There is an even smaller one on the turret - I may leave that alone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 SORRY - couldn't resist in the end... ...this is fun - famous last words eh 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corsairfoxfouruncle Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 (edited) Looking real good BIG X ... real good. I Like the machine gun particularly well. Edited November 26, 2017 by Corsairfoxfouruncle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Wow - just found this WIP thread from @Bangor Lad ... ...and the RFI is 'inspiring'... ...if mine turns out anywhere near as good as these I would be really pleased. Thanks for the inspiration Dave 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangor Lad Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 21 minutes ago, BIG X said: Wow - just found this WIP thread from @Bangor Lad ... ...and the RFI is 'inspiring'... ...if mine turns out anywhere near as good as these I would be really pleased. Thanks for the inspiration Dave Happy to help 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 On 25/11/2017 at 09:06, Bullbasket said: British tanks tended to use 30 calibre mg's rather than 50 calibre, though that's not a hard and fast rule. In this scale, barrel diameter is going to be difficult to define. John. Hi John - is this the right kind of 30 calibre??? I have a spare off the halftrack that I didn't use - as it looked a little 'puny'. That said - I wouldn't want to stand in front of it when it was loaded 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullbasket Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Yep, that's the one. John. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 On 24/11/2017 at 23:36, BIG X said: Looking at this picture it looks like I will need 2 ‘whip’ aerials. Does anyone know how long they should be and what to make them out of at 1/72 scale? Try a toothbrush bristle if it's long enough, or something similar. They're more robust than wire, as they resist permanent bending unless they're stuck in one position for a while 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 5 minutes ago, Mike said: Try a toothbrush bristle if it's long enough, or something similar. They're more robust than wire, as they resist permanent bending unless they're stuck in one position for a while A bristle or a whisker maybe... Now what did I do with my cat... ah - here she is - meet Pearl - now those are what you call whiskers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 She's gorgeous! Also, I can tell she's not impressed with your idea already. A shed whisker might work, but if you pull one out you'll likely regret it when you get back from A&E 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niall Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Most British Shermans had no pivot MG on the turret, but many had a pair of smoke grenade launchers on the turret side. The Firefly was defended by the Sherman, it was the otherway round, the Firefly gave the Sherman platoon a better anti-tank capability However the 17 pounder gun's HE round was not as powerful as the American 75mm gun, so was less effective against infantry and anti-tank guns. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 1 minute ago, Niall said: Most British Shermans had no pivot MG on the turret, OK - I'm filling that hole in - thanks for that - I need input like this - Cheers Niall Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 2 minutes ago, Niall said: The Firefly was defended by the Sherman, it was the otherway round, the Firefly gave the Sherman platoon a better anti-tank capability However the 17 pounder gun's HE round was not as powerful as the American 75mm gun, so was less effective against infantry and anti-tank guns. OK Niall... so if you had 3 that you could build as either M4A4 or Firefly - would you do... 2 x M4A4 and 1 x Firefly 1 x M4A4 and 2 x Firefly let me know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG X Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 2 hours ago, Mike said: She's gorgeous! Also, I can tell she's not impressed with your idea already. A shed whisker might work, but if you pull one out you'll likely regret it when you get back from A&E Ouch - you were right about the cat - as you can see she wasn't up for helping her dad out... ...luckily for both of us I remembered the dustpan and brush set hiding in the pantry... ...perfect - long nylon bristles - now to find 2 clean ones... Thanks for the idea @Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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