1/16th Sherman VC Firefly

[Niall]

I'm converting a Hen long 1/16th Sherman M4A3 in to a Firefly for a mate. He wants a model based on the M4A4 Sherman even though the hull is too short, so this will be a representative model not an accurate to the mm model. It is further compromised by the fact that the baseline model is radio controlled, so the early 3 part gearbox case will not fit because of the gearboxes to provide drive to the tracks. The changes will all be scratchbuilt, 3D printed from my own designs except for the barrel, commander's cupola, headlights and rear lights. The lights are fitted with LED's and work when the model is switched on and under radio control.

 

[Niall]

The M4A3 model has a working exhaust smoke generator and different exhaust pipes to the M4A4. As the unit needs to be filled with oil throught the exhaust pipes, the only way could see to do this was to make the external exhaust unit a removable part, held on by rare earth magnets, one in the unit and 1 in the hull.

The photos below show this unit and the modified hull rear.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Niall
Corrected spelling

[viper-30]

Very nice 

[Niall]

The second problem I had with this model is that the upper hull is held to the lower hull with 4 screws. Unfortunately the front 2 screw mounts were removed when I cut out the glassis plate. So I superglued a row of rare earth magnets to the sponson floors on the lower hull, with a second row onto lengths of Plastruct ABS square tube. The tubes were superglued to the upper hull. These are shown in the photos below -

[Niall]

Photo of the interior of the turret, showing the modifications needed for the aftermarket cupola and the need to make a mounting for the gun elevating mechanism.

[Niall]

I got the 3D printed parts from Shapeways yesterday.

 

I had to reposition the shovel to get the fire extinguishers to fit, the other parts fitted with no problems.

 

The 3D printed radio aeriel base is designed to be removable. I fitted a 3mm diameter rare earth magnet into the turret. I designed the aeriel base with a hollow which took a length of steel rod and I covered the base plate with steel paper. These additions mean the part is held to the model and can be removed so the model can be packed into a box for transport.

[Niall]

A couple of adds. I've repositioned the barrel clamp and made a panzershreck ammo box as these were commonly used as stowage.

[Niall]

2 updates today. I've glued the fire extinguishers and repositioned the smoke mortar on the turret as I had put it too far aft than it should be.

[Niall]

A few days ago I found a close up photo of the loader's hatch and found I had completly misinterpreted the references I had used to make it. So I've replaced the rivets with nuts shaved off Tamiya M113 road wheels and rebuilt the hinge.

[Niall]

I've just made a tank crew helmet and small and large packs for external stowage. I made a silicon rubber mould from these parts and took resin castings. I got the rubber from an ebay seller who has reasonable prices and excellent customer service. Link to that seller -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/PDW-Creative-Materials?_trksid=p2047675.l2563

[viper-30]

Brilliant work mate ..very good indeed

[Niall]

A few weeks ago the mate I was building this model for reconsidered and asked me to reconvert it to a Sherman 1C Firefly.

Photos of the reconversion to Sherman 1C -

 

Just got to wait for Shapeways to print the mantlet , exhaust nozzles and air filters.

[Bullbasket]

There's some great work going on here. At least with the change to a 1c, you don't have to worry about the upper and lower hull length or the suspension spacing.

 

John.

[magman2]

Good work, well done.🙌

I have ordered the Firefly parts from Shapeways.👍

[Niall]

I've just found that you can buy the Tamiya sprue which has the rear panel engine hatch and air filters, this is a lot cheaper than a Shapeways print of these parts. Link -

https://www.timetunnelmodels.com/live/catalog/tamiya-10005838-0005838-parts-56014-sherman-p-14653.html

[Niall]

A couple of pictures of the tank assembled -

[KonigsStreegan]

thats a really cool looking kit

[sandsmodels]

great work

[Niall]

Thanks for the compliments.

 

I got a Tamiya sprue of with the parts for the air filters and exhausts last week. To make the smoke mechanism work I could not use the exhaust parts, so I scratch built new ones from Evergreen tube and Plasticard.

[Niall]

This will be the final update on this build from me, I will add some photos when the owner gets it painted.

I've tried several times to design a correct mantlet for a Firefly but it would need a new mounting part for the turret and it would be too small to fit the metal barrel. As this barrel is too long to fit my lathe I can't modify it as required. So the model will be completed using the Heng Long mantlet.

I've also designed a 3D printed set of track links and a pair of British Jerrycans, 1 with water markings. I hoped to make the track links flexible but I've got the tollerances too tight. Photos of these parts -

I'm looking at making moulds from these parts so I can resin cast them.

[Windy Miller]

That is some impressive scratch-building! Are you going to paint it yourself or is your mate doing it? I hope it's not too late to remedy but there's a spelling mistake on the Panzerschrek box - it should read Gesamtgew. With an M. It's short for Gesamtgewicht which means Total Weight.

 

Looking forward to seeing this finished!

 

Windy

[Niall]

My mate is going to paint it.

 

Thanks for the spot of the panzerschrek box lable, I only had photos to go on when I made the transfers for the markings. It a simple fix to redo that.