Sergeant

 

 

Gamera977

Hello folks, Gamera here. I've been locked-out of my former account and the forums for the last three weeks. So here I am on a new account...

 

 

 

Is this Gamera977 my friend from SW Virginia?

 

 

Hello Harold, that would be me. Great job there on your M4, the tracks and the replacement antenna look great. Sorry, I haven't commented on anything in the armour forum as yet since there's three weeks of posts and I just don't have the time at work. I need to sit down some evening and go through everything I've missed. 

The Firefly is completed, built mostly OOB. Radio antennas added from thin brass wire, resin stowage added and Ma Deuce barrel handle made from thin wire. Markings are for 4th County of London Yeomandary, the Sharpshooters that landed on Normandy on D Day. I read somewhere that unfortunately this Firefly was knocked out at Villers Bocage some days later by Wittmann on June 13th 1944.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwyQ9sjNjr8

Brass wire used for antennas

Resin stowage added

Punched out chrome mylar discs for headlights

Ma got her barrel handle fashioned from thin wire

Thanks for hosting this GB Bish and for letting me participate. Please use the second to last picture for the completed GB page.

modelcrazy

OK Bish, I'm taking a break from the Akagi for a while to let my sanity level return from just plane nuts to my usual somewhat dizzy state.

So to celebrate the mid-build break, I'm starting on my British Army entry. I know you already built this one so you may be able to steer me on the narrow path. You already touched on something about a big clear part issue, but in my insane foggy state over the past several weeks (multiple sheets of 1/350 PE will do that to a guy you know) I can't remember what you said 

Anyway, here's my British entry.

BTW nice job everyone.

 

Look forward to seeing how you get on with that Steve. Ye, the issue i had was with the canopy. You are supposed to slide the back in and then clip the front down, but mine was a real tight fit. The only way i could squeeze it in was to open the sides out, but that caused another issue.

When i got a second one, by buying another kit, my soloution was to file out slightly the semi circle at the back of the canopy. Enough so it could slide over the circular piece that sticks out at the fropnt of the engines over the canopy.

It didn't need much trimmed away, just enough for it to slot over.

Thats come out lovely PJ. really nicely finished, i like the weathering and a very nice base. Thank you for taking part. Front page update.

Thanks Bish, that's what it was. Do I see some PE on yours?? Is there a detail set for it?

Hey PJ, the Firefly looks perfect! You knocked her completely out of the park!!! 

Steve: Love that AH-64. Very cool!!! I built Academy's 1/48th version some years ago, thankfully I didn't have any canopy issues with it. 

modelcrazy

Thanks Bish, that's what it was. Do I see some PE on yours?? Is there a detail set for it?

 

Yes, its an Eduard set, 73546.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/eduard-73546-ah-64d-block-ii--976201

 Its actually intended for the US version, so there is some slight differances. But its mainly with the sensors on the sides, its just a case of leaving a couple of parts out. I also added some resin wheels, not needed but i do like them, and a metal barrel for the 30mm. Its from master, 72-109, and that is very nice. Its also includes the pitot's and tail antenna.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/master-am-72-109-ah-64-apache--1017660

And if you need any help decideing which aircraft to build, this site lists every Apache use by the British Army and its history.

http://www.ukapache.com/

Go to the Production link.

As i am sure you have noticed, the kit includes serials for every one. I picked one that was in Afghan the same time i was. Its was one of the very first we recieved, one of the Boeing built ones rather than being built by Westland. Its since been retired and sent back to Boeing.

Got it, as well as the masks. I'll look into the barrel.

Wow, PJ, that Firefly...holy cow, it's stunning. Well done and perfect weathering.

BK

Thanks Bish, BK and Gamera. Glad you guys like how the bug came out. I have another Firefly in the stash but it's a 1c and currently looking for decals with markings that had the squiggly white barrel/muzzle scheme. I think it looks super cool and way different.

Gamera977

 Hello Harold, that would be me. Great job there on your M4, the tracks and the replacement antenna look great. Sorry, I haven't commented on anything in the armour forum as yet since there's three weeks of posts and I just don't have the time at work. I need to sit down some evening and go through everything I've missed. 

 

Harold

PJ, there is a set of Star Decals of a Ic hybrid with the scheme i think your after.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/star-decals-35-c1172-sherman-firefly--1158860

Excelent Firefly PJ. You must have put that up just before I got the Apache up so I didn't notice.

BTW, I also ordered the gun Bish. 

Bish

PJ, there is a set of Star Decals of a Ic hybrid with the scheme i think your after.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/star-decals-35-c1172-sherman-firefly--1158860

 

 

Tha's the same sheet I had. If you recall some pages back in the GB, I had a bad experience with them on my Firefly. I contacted Star Decals and explained what hapenned and was assured it was a bad set and was sent a replacement set direct from Sweden. One heck of fantastic customer service. The set I was sent I asked for a different Sherman build so I'm hopeful those decals will be ok when I eventually use them. 

Also the one in the sheet is for  a Hybrid 1c and the one I have is the welded hull 1c which is different but thanks for your suggestion.

plasticjunkie

 

 

Bish

PJ, there is a set of Star Decals of a Ic hybrid with the scheme i think your after.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/star-decals-35-c1172-sherman-firefly--1158860

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tha's the same sheet I had. If you recall some pages back in the GB, I had a bad experience with them on my Firefly. I contacted Star Decals and explained what hapenned and was assured it was a bad set and was sent a replacement set direct from Sweden. One heck of fantastic customer service. The set I was sent I asked for a different Sherman build so I'm hopeful those decals will be ok when I eventually use them. 

Also the one in the sheet is for  a Hybrid 1c and the one I have is the welded hull 1c which is different but thanks for your suggestion.

 

Wasn't sure if it would be the same type. the only ones i could find on scalemates with that scheme were Vc's or Ic Hybrids.

Ye, i remember your issue with the decals, good they sorted you out, thats nice to know.

Well, I gotta say this is a record for me. I built the whole kit in 3 days. Now I can begin priming and painting.

BK

Thanks Steve.

Wow BK that is a record!!

Very impressive BK. I thouught my 109 was going quick. Looking good.

Bish, my detail set should be in on the 10th. I'll start on the Apache when we return from holiday. I know it's not a big deal but I thought I'd give a heads up. 

Thanks Steve. It will be worth the wait.

Pj, great looking Firefly!

-----------------------

For those interested in British aerial lengths for the no.19 wireless radio set, B mast (that's the one with the raised circular guard at it's base), would be 24 inches, though some sources quote 20 inches.

The A mast would be made up of 4 foot lengths that screwed into one another, and were available in three diameters.  Usually the mid size would be doubled up when using an 8 foot aerial.

regards,

Jack

Thanks Jack!

Thanks GS. The Asuka (formerly Tasca)  looks to be more detailed and hopefully better fitting than the Dragon. I have a Tasca  M4A1 in the stash and it looks pretty sweet. 

I posted my build on Armorama and several members familiar with the Sherman Firefly schooled me on Allakeefek's markings which Dragon TOTALLY screwed up. The provided divisional and squadron markings are WAY off, belonging to the 27th Armored Brigade. The correct ones are the 22nd AB of the 7th AD. The 27th was never near Villers Bocage. This Firefly is also missing the partial sand skirts which it had when captured at VB. It's also missing a T number on the left side of the hull. Also missing is a small metal box attached to the right rear of the large metal storage locker. It did not have any divisional markings on the back but only the front. The turret did not have a pistol port which I easily removed. I'm in the process of scratch building the sand skirts and correcting the divisional markings.

I will post pictures of the corrected Allakeefek once it's completed. I usually double check my references before I start but neglected to do so this time. 

oooh PJ, that was harsh, I hope the members there were at least friendly about pointing out the corrections.

Speaking of the Firefly, I ordered the Rye Field Model from Australia back on April 17th.  Today just received notification it arrived in the port of Vancouver.

regards,

Jack

jgeratic

oooh PJ, that was harsh, I hope the members there were at least friendly about pointing out the corrections.

 

Speaking of the Firefly, I ordered the Rye Field Model from Australia back on April 17th.  Today just received notification it arrived in the port of Vancouver.

 

regards,

Jack

 

It was ok but direct and informative. The corrections are really very easy to do requiring some minor touch ups. They are up to speed with the minutest details.

It's my fault for not checking things out specially Dragon that is well known for this. 

Which bug did you order Jack?

plasticjunkie

 

 

Which bug did you order Jack

 

this one:

jgeratic

 

 

plasticjunkie

 

 

Which bug did you order Jack

 

 

 

 

 

this one:

 

 

That will be much better and more detailed than the Dragon Vc. The box art shows it has sand skirts. Some had it, others were missing them. One thing I noticed was not many bugs with the .50. I took the one on mine off since I was also told the Brits rarely mounted them on their tanks.

Remember to double check the unit markings to verify accuracy so you won’t experience what I did .