SimonT Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 Hello all, I would like to join with a Tamiya 1/48 British Sherman Ic Firefly. Should be mostly out of the box but some additions might find their way in. The originals were powered by a Wright (Continental) R975 9 Cylinder Radial. I hope to make a start over the next few days. Hope that's OK?! Simon 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted August 22, 2017 Share Posted August 22, 2017 Good to see another AFV build in this GB Simon. Looking forward to seeing it in progress. I haven't got this kit so may have to see about getting hold of one at some point. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted August 23, 2017 Share Posted August 23, 2017 Hi Simon and welcome to the GB Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted August 24, 2017 Author Share Posted August 24, 2017 Thanks very much gents. I've stolen a few hours in the evenings over the last few days, after my little nipper has gone to bed, to get a few bits cut, cleaned and cemented: I diverted a little from the instructions that would have you join the bogeys and wheels all together straight away. I'm worried how I would paint them properly that way so I decided to superglue the rear sections to the chassis but leave the rest loose until all painted. I haven't attached the gun barrel yet, I'm still toying with the idea of getting RB Models turned barrel, though in fairness, I can't see much wrong with Tamiya's attempt, but RB Model's just looks so good... Next a few shots of her dry fitted: Next up will be cleaning up the tracks and then on to priming the sub-assemblies. Hopefully I'll order some SCC 15 tomorrow and then I can start thinking about how to jazz-up the monotone look. Any suggestions and comments welcome All the best. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted August 25, 2017 Share Posted August 25, 2017 That's coming together quickly and nicely Simon. Excuse my ignorance, but is there a reason why the hull bottom is moulded in white? Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted August 25, 2017 Author Share Posted August 25, 2017 Thanks Cliff. Yes, the lower hull is die cast which gives some rigidity and weight to the model. I believe the majority, but not all of Tamiya's 1/48 range of AFVs have this feature. I think there are mixed feelings in the community about whether it compromises too much detail etc, but I don't think it matters too much on the Sherman at least, since the suspension and wheels cover up almost the entirety of the hull anyway. I must admit, the added weight, compared to my HB KV-1 makes it "feel" more "solid" and "substantial" to me. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 That's progressing beautifully Simon. Thanks to your thread I've now got one ordered! Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted August 28, 2017 Author Share Posted August 28, 2017 36 minutes ago, PlaStix said: That's progressing beautifully Simon. Thanks to your thread I've now got one ordered! Kind regards, Stix Oh good man. Now all you have to do is show me how it's done 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted September 3, 2017 Author Share Posted September 3, 2017 SCC 15 arrived and while I was at it, I acquired some black primer too, thought I would give that a go on this one. Idea is to have the black as the shadow/low-lights, then the white as highlight. Hopefully, with thin layers of the SCC 15 over the top, I might get less of a monotone effect. We shall see. There's an awful lot of white over-spray, my airbrush struggled with the white tonight, so it's now getting a deep clean... Still, hopefully it will lessen the contrast anyway, here's hoping First time I'm trying this, I keep seeing it used to great effect, so worth a go! Any and all suggestions, comments and criticisms welcomed 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted September 5, 2017 Author Share Posted September 5, 2017 Well, a layer of SCC 15 is now drying on the Firefly, you can't quite see some of the varied tones on the photos, other than the more stark, but for a first go I'm quite pleased. On an unrelated note, has anyone used Ammo by Mig's black primer? It clogged the airbrush despite a good clean straight after it was applied. Any suggestions on the best thing to clean it is? It's all clean now after stripping the airbrush down fully but wondered if there was a miracle product that broke the primer down with a general clean. All the best! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted October 9, 2017 Author Share Posted October 9, 2017 (edited) For such an easy build, this is taking me forever! I've added the suspension and wheels and laid down an initial primer coat on the tracks, and then some Tamiya XF-85 Rubber Black on the relevant bits. The model has been spray varnished with Alclad 600 Aqua Gloss (still need to do the tracks though!) and is ready for decals. Pic below to show something has been done: I'll varnish after the decals, then the plan is to do a bit of blending work with oils (new for me) before sealing that and adding washes etc. Now, I haven't just been ignoring modelling, my efforts diverted over to something else, here! All the best. Edited October 9, 2017 by SimonT Forgot to add link 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted November 5, 2017 Author Share Posted November 5, 2017 Moving forward slowly, decals and tracks on. Another layer of Aqua Gloss over the top (done after taking the pictures): Next up, some weathering... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 If I was any slower I'd be going backwards. Still progress has been made despite being slow. You never know, I may get this finished in time... Miracles do happen, but I suppose we are approaching Christmas. As always, any comments welcome. Have fun! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 It's looking great Simon, with nicely delicate weathering. Fingers crossed for completion this week Cliff 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PlaStix Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Good to see this one in the gallery Simon and it looks great! Very well done. Kind regards, Stix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 Thank you both, I learnt a lot on this as there were a few firsts for me. lots to improve on, but that’s the fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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