Bodmin Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 Got a bug for small scale tanks at the moment. Thought I'd give the new Airfix Firefly a go. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 21, 2021 Author Share Posted September 21, 2021 Appears simple enough, after all it is a starter set of sorts. Not a lot to show admittedly, but I'll call it enough for one night. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted September 21, 2021 Share Posted September 21, 2021 I have this built as is but not finished, I've seen it built into a great model. For me 1/72 is where it is at for various reasons so I will be following along. Cant wait to see more. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 (edited) Me too. Currently running a Sherman Marathon myself! 😀 Edited September 22, 2021 by echen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis95 Posted September 22, 2021 Share Posted September 22, 2021 I'll swing by for a nose every now and then, I've had a few urges to land my aircraft mojo and hop into a tank recently! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 22, 2021 Author Share Posted September 22, 2021 Given that there are not many parts to this kit I decided on assembling the running gear and tracks rather than opting for the simple single moulded pieces. The tracks themselves are in a few pieces but I like the way they go together, particularly when laying over the drive sprocket and idler. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 23, 2021 Author Share Posted September 23, 2021 So I put the turret together and test fitted the 3 pieces together only to find out I'd glued the grill too high up on the chassis and the hull pieces wouldn't fit together. Proof that even he simple kits can catch you out if you rush and don't pay close enough attention. Anyway, I managed to remove it with minimal damage and fit it correctly. Here we are assembled, with only a few minor parts missing until after painting. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
veg Posted September 24, 2021 Share Posted September 24, 2021 Looks good I’m still sat on the old kit, recently done a whole host of matchbox small scale armour, big fan of 1/72-76th. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 26, 2021 Author Share Posted September 26, 2021 On 9/24/2021 at 6:13 PM, veg said: Looks good I’m still sat on the old kit, recently done a whole host of matchbox small scale armour, big fan of 1/72-76th. Thanx, I've always had a soft spot for the smaller scales. Did loads of Matchbox back in the day. Now looking to have a small selection in 1/72 for true comparisons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 26, 2021 Author Share Posted September 26, 2021 Have to say I'm enjoying building and painting this. For the scale there is more than enough detail to pick out during the painting as you see fit. Turret next, followed by decals and a little weathering before final assembly. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted September 27, 2021 Share Posted September 27, 2021 Looking good. I think I read somewhere that Fireflys dispensed with the hull MG to leave room for more ammo. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 On 9/27/2021 at 10:19 AM, echen said: Looking good. I think I read somewhere that Fireflys dispensed with the hull MG to leave room for more ammo. Indeed, they were rarely installed. Unfortunately this tank came with one pre-installed so the crew will just have to make do 🤣 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share Posted September 28, 2021 Well most painting done now. Just a little weathering and the stowage on the front then I should be done. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanC Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 On 9/27/2021 at 10:19 AM, echen said: Looking good. I think I read somewhere that Fireflys dispensed with the hull MG to leave room for more ammo. Yes, and reduced the crew to four. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 1 hour ago, Bodmin said: ndeed, they were rarely installed. Unfortunately this tank came with one pre-installed so the crew will just have to make do I'm sure they'd be chuffed. They'd have something to spray the roadsides with as a deterrent to members of the opposition with their Panzerfausts and Panzerschrecks; make 'em keep their heads down in the ditches until the Firefly got past. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 The kit comes with the armour plate to replace the bow machine gun, however the instructions don't even cover this as an option. I believe the British weren't as keen on machine guns on tanks as the US were in general. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share Posted September 29, 2021 2 hours ago, sardaukar said: The kit comes with the armour plate to replace the bow machine gun, however the instructions don't even cover this as an option. I believe the British weren't as keen on machine guns on tanks as the US were in general. Exactly that. I noticed when I taking the stowage off the sprue. Part D2 is never called up for. The instructions mention alternative parts but don't tell you what the other part is. I took it as meaning "fit the tracks if you want to"! It does show the armour plate fitted later on, but I missed that. But like you said if it doesn't mention the part how are you supposed to notice. Anyway I've removed the machine gun and fitted the plate now, so all is well. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 10 minutes ago, Bodmin said: Exactly that. I noticed when I taking the stowage off the sprue. Part D2 is never called up for. The instructions mention alternative parts but don't tell you what the other part is. I took it as meaning "fit the tracks if you want to"! It does show the armour plate fitted later on, but I missed that. But like you said if it doesn't mention the part how are you supposed to notice. Anyway I've removed the machine gun and fitted the plate now, so all is well. And the box art doesn't help it has the machine gun too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted September 30, 2021 Share Posted September 30, 2021 12 hours ago, Bodmin said: Anyway I've removed the machine gun and fitted the plate now, so all is well. I had a similar issue with my Panther hull MG. I thought I was nearly finished when I spotted quite an issue with the armour around the mounting. Having spotted it I had to deal with it or it would have really bugged me knowing it was there. Came out reasonably well in the end. I think it's worth addressing these things wherever we can; it's all experience for later builds. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted September 30, 2021 Author Share Posted September 30, 2021 11 hours ago, echen said: ..... I think it's worth addressing these things wherever we can; it's all experience for later builds. Yeah I couldn't let it go. My first thought was 'oh to hell with it', but it bugged me and I'm glad I changed my mind. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bodmin Posted October 1, 2021 Author Share Posted October 1, 2021 Well I'll call it done. Not a bad little build on the whole. Cheers for the pointers given throughout the build. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
echen Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 Looking really good. Like the stowage and the weathering. Hope my Plastic Soldier Company version turns out as well. 👍 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sardaukar Posted October 1, 2021 Share Posted October 1, 2021 Looks great, good work. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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