JackG Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 (edited) This is 1/48 scale, and started off with Tamiya's Sherman Ic, but after all the conversion, there wasn't much utilized from the box. Build log is here: http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234948028-sherman-vc-firefly-148-conversion/ The Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment was the reserve armoured unit for Juno beach, the Canadian sector during the Normandy invasion. Due to congestion on the beachhead, it would be almost noon before they began unloading. Further traffic jams were experienced on the roadway, as there was only the one leading inland. By evening they were within view of the main objective, Carpiquet airfield. Out of friendly artillery range and no ground troops in the vicinity, the Shermans pulled back to a more secure position. On D-day+1, the drive forward continued. Unknown to the Canadians was the arrival of elements of the 12SS (Hitler Jugend) Panzer Division during the night. Two companies of Panzer IVs along with panzergrenadiers were given specific orders that afternoon - simply put, drive the allies back into the sea. During the afternoon the two offensively minded sides would meet. Both forces were new to battle, resulting in some reckless behaviour. For two hours, tank versus tank battles raged in the area between Authie and Buron. Final figures vary on losses. but Chaser was one of the them. Though the Canadians were given a bloody nose, they did managed to straighten their line and hold ground, stuffing the enemy's counter attack. regards, Jack Edited December 3, 2013 by JackG 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Lovely Jack, I like the .50 cal! 1/48th is great isn't it? Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knaupel Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Wow! It´s just fantastic. I should build a Sherman-tank next ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pacificmustang Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 tasty, very tasty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossy Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Great modelling mate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Love it. Such a busy build... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozz Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 very nice build. must do some more to mine. your weathering and tracks are lovely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaykay Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Cracking build jack, and enjoyed the build thread too, Jk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Ayrey Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 Excellent! Superb finish, well worth all the effort that you had invested in this kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 What a beautiful Sherman, one of the best that I`ve seen and the back story was really interesting too,....I hope that some of the crew survived? Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) Thanks to all for the enthusiastic responses, I appreciate every word. The commander of 'Chaser' was likely Lieutenant Ian A. MacLean (Troop leader of C Sqn 2 Troop). Eyewitness account has his and another Sherman being hit simultaneously and both catching fire. No one saw the turret members exit, but it's driver, William Redmond, does claim the turret was empty when he looked inside. A Canadian online war memorial does not have MacLean on their list, so perhaps he and his whole crew did manage to bail out safely. Judging by photos and where the Firefly was hit, looks like it can be concluded that chances are the crew survived. regards, Jack Edited December 7, 2013 by JackG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Squarehead Posted December 5, 2013 Share Posted December 5, 2013 Outstanding & fascinating.....What more could you want? A German helmet mebbe? Seriously.....That's a great model! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted December 5, 2013 Author Share Posted December 5, 2013 (edited) Thanks Sarge. I'm sure a few of us are aware of the inside joke about the German helmet. regards, Jack Edited December 7, 2013 by JackG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOUSTON Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 OUTSTANDING Armor build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted December 6, 2013 Share Posted December 6, 2013 Excellent build and finish,nice to have a back story too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted December 7, 2013 Author Share Posted December 7, 2013 Houston and Steve, thanks kindly. btw, did anyone spot something I forgot to paint, it's 'light' coloured - lol. regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted January 1, 2014 Share Posted January 1, 2014 Just catching up on missed threads. Cracking model Jack. Well Done. I have the Tank Workshop set you used but am currently on an early M4A4 using Tim Perry's conversion. Much easier.... I admire your tenacity. The British doctrine saw air defence handled by specialist vehicles and the RAF. Commanders were 'encouraged' to concentrate on their tank rather than taking on aircraft. The 50 cals were rarely carried by the unit but 30cals were common to rake trees etc. if enemy were suspected. Those resin tracks look to be a handful as well 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackG Posted January 2, 2014 Author Share Posted January 2, 2014 SleeperService - thanks for posting, good to hear you like her, and look forward to seeing your build. Yes, the .50cal was added due to working from a period photo. I wonder if these already came supplied with the lend lease vehicles. As someone else stated, if the vehicle survived long enough, the copula gun would eventually be handed over to infantry. Resin tracks weren't that bad, just monotonous/time consuming. regards, Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperService Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Hi Jack When shipped from the US every Sherman had a 50 cal and two 30 cal browning mgs. I'm not certain about the Canadians but the British replenishment units exchanged the 50cals for an extra 30cal before issuing to the user formation. The 50s were then sent to the Royal Navy for ship use. That meant that armoured formations didn't have the 50cal ammo in the supply chain, which was a help. I've heard that from several veterans involved in the re-supply chain so believe it to be accurate, however until I find the paperwork at Kew I can't be certain. Many of the Shermans had bottles of whiskey or rum placed in the barrels at the factories, one lass I spoke to said they always replaced them after cleaning the guns except in winter when they'd get an unofficial ration to raise morale. I wonder how many made it to the fighting men??... I'll be posting my project as soon as I can get sorted. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxy Posted January 2, 2014 Share Posted January 2, 2014 Great build and history. Seems they would have got out with the hit below the water line so to speak. Nice to see someone delveing into there build like this. Well done. Cheers foxy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shermaniac Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 Very nicely done, you haven't overdone anything which is pleasing. Saw you progress on WIP-Armour. A neat way of maximizing your resin track to cover many vehicles, I shall remember that part. Well researched and rendered 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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