Radpoe Spitfire Posted September 18, 2013 Share Posted September 18, 2013 Can any Sherman fans point me in the right direction please? I have a couple of Tamiya M4 models which got knocked about in a house move, i.e. an M4 A1 & an M4 A3. Am I right in thinking that the welded hull of the A4 is basically that of an A1 fitted with the Diesel engines of an A3? So, if I mate the A3 engine deck, rear hull plate & exhausts to the A1 hull would that suffice hull wise to give me an A4? I know I will need a 17 pdr Barrel & the box at the back of turret to give me the right one but which hatch fit do I need? Can anyone also confirm which track pattern & wheels I'd need, I.e. rubber or steel chevron, open welded spoke or pressed steel & which sprocket type. Know doubt, it would be easier to purchase a new kit, but I fancy the challenge. Thanks for looking & if you can help please do. Regards Adrian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 (edited) In a word, you cant do what you want to do! The Tamiya M4A3 is a totally different tank from anything the British used as Fireflies although visually similar. Different glacis, hull, suspension, engine deck, turret and back plate! If you have Tamiya kit M4 mm35190, it would be possible to convert this into a very early M4 Firefly known as a Firefly 1C. You would need a new barrel and rotor shield and the armoured box for the rear of the turret. Some turrets also had a loaders hatch fitted beside the cupola. Also the glacis machinegun was removed to allow for extra ammo. The suspension on the M4 kit would also need replacing to straight arm return roller as opposed to upswept that are incorrect for this version. If you want to know more about anything Sherman please message me at threadbear12@msn.com and I will do my best to answer your questions! Quick run down of Shermans! M4: Welded hull and Wright radial petrol engine M4A1: Cast hull and engine as above. M4A2: Welded hull and twin GM diesels. M4A3: Large hatch welded hull with Ford GAA V8 engine. M4A4: Welded hull as M4 but with lengthed hull to accomodate Chrysler multibank engine. M4 Hybrid. Cast front hull mated to welded rear hull. Radial engine. I have been studying Shermans for 15 years and am still learning! Regards Grahame Edited September 19, 2013 by Threadbear 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radpoe Spitfire Posted September 19, 2013 Author Share Posted September 19, 2013 In a word, you cant do what you want to do! The Tamiya M4A3 is a totally different tank from anything the British used as Fireflies although visually similar. Different glacis, hull, suspension, engine deck, turret and back plate! If you have Tamiya kit M4 mm35190, it would be possible to convert this into a very early M4 Firefly known as a Firefly 1C. You would need a new barrel and rotor shield and the armoured box for the rear of the turret. Some turrets also had a loaders hatch fitted beside the cupola. Also the glacis machinegun was removed to allow for extra ammo. The suspension on the M4 kit would also need replacing to straight arm return roller as opposed to upswept that are incorrect for this version. If you want to know more about anything Sherman please message me at threadbear12@msn.com and I will do my best to answer your questions! Quick run down of Shermans! M4: Welded hull and Wright radial petrol engine M4A1: Cast hull and engine as above. M4A2: Welded hull and twin GM diesels. M4A3: Large hatch welded hull with Ford GAA V8 engine. M4A4: Welded hull as M4 but with lengthed hull to accomodate Chrysler multibank engine. M4 Hybrid. Cast front hull mated to welded rear hull. Radial engine. I have been studying Shermans for 15 years and am still learning! Regards Grahame Thanks for getting back to me Grahame, I've sent an e-mail, but forgot to ask, was the 1c used after D-Day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Threadbear Posted September 19, 2013 Share Posted September 19, 2013 All Fireflies were post D-Day. The Firefly was developed before the invasion but wasnt used in action until troops landed in Normandy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 (edited) Also, some Firefly 1c's were used in Italy. Threadbear got it in 1. I've been in-and-out of Shermans for 30+ years and I still get confused there are so many variables I got a headache and stopped at 157 versions (and that's just on VVSS suspension) and I hadn't finished looking RP Hunnicutts book SHERMAN, Pat Stansell's Son of Sherman and Mark Haywoods book on the Firefly are prescribed references but due to the cost of these ONLY when/if you become addicted. Welcome to the world that is Shermania Take 2 paracetamols and a vallium before you start otherwise when you really get into it your head will Edited September 22, 2013 by Shermaniac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted September 22, 2013 Share Posted September 22, 2013 From what I understand, the Sherman V was the first to be converted, and would be most numerous during Normandy. By war's end, the Ic and hybrid were more prominent in numbers. regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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