Hi guys,

First off - cheers Satch and DM!

I think it's going to a case of following that magazine article where he used XF-62 OD and highlighted OD using Tamiya 'Sky'. Weathering will be kept to a minimun - probably rain/mud streaking and the usual fuel and pigments. No chipping or anything heavy as I understand most didn't see a lot of action. I'm definately thinking of a base and figure if the build turns out well and warrants it.

I've managed to get those bits that I've forgotten to fit yesterday and I've also assembled the .50 cal and the fiddly plastic/PE antennae mount.

All Light Guards now in place:

Close-up of hatches; note closed Periscopes on co-drivers side and Brass rod replacement hatch handles:

Fire Extinguishers now both mounted: 

MG finished and looking good and the stupidly complicated Antennae Mount - I think my PE skills are slowly improving!

If you were wondering about the front fenders they are just going to break off during later assembly so I've decided to wait until the upper and lower hulls are permanently fixed and then fit the fenders as it will make things a lot easier as there are PE and plastic options and I'd like to use the PE if I'm up to it! The decals on the top right are the kit decals - the other decals are what I've been sent as I definately don't want to use one of kit options. Two friends in the UK have fixed me up with the 7th Armoured Div decals and the 'Stag/52' decals. Satch has kindly sent me a huge sheet from his older 1996 kit which really opens up my options. The best one is the 'Antifreeze-Do Not not Drain' white letter decal that goes on the left side panel - I'm really good to go now!

Here we go: 

So, it's turret-time next! I'm off work on Thursday and Friday to use some holiday days up so I hope to have made some good progress by this time next week.

Thanks for looking lads - I hope you like her so far!

Take care and have a good week folks!

Ben  

Firefly is coming along nicely...

For the colour, Mike Starmer has done quite a bit of research on British vehicles.  As disastermaster has pointed out,  S.C.C. 15 olive drab is the colour to shoot for.  It was introduced in April 1944 to be used as the new basic colour.  Although when freshly applied looked very similar to the American shade, it tended to weather towards a greener tint.

Starmer on the website gives his formula to mix this shade, but only with Humbrol paints: 150, 159 and 33 mixed in ratio 5:5:2

WEM does make the colour in enamel form (although over on  Britmodeller I've seen it stated that Starmer "wasn't over-impressed" with it) and there is also Xtacrylix  British Olive Drab.

So like you say, can keep it simple and rely on weathering to create some change or you could try mixing your favourite brands after converting the Humbrol numbers, but no gurantees of the results.   Here's a Tamiya ratio I found, but again I can't say it's right or wrong.  From this Link.
5 Parts XF-61 Dk Green
2 Parts XF-62 Olive Drab
2-3 Parts XF-3 Flat Yellow
Drop or 3 of Tamiya Clear

regards,
Jack

Or just get XF-51 Khaki Drab or Humbrol 159 Khaki Drab.

satch_ip

Or just get XF-51 Khaki Drab or Humbrol 159 Khaki Drab.

Cheers guys - great link btw!

I have some XF-51 Satch but think it looks too Brown on its own? It may mix nicely when a small amount is added to Olive Drab to take the edge off the Green?

I might well just stick with XF-61 as the weathering will hopefully balance it out just fine. Like I said, nothing heavy but just some watery Buff and Flat Earth  airbrushed around the running gear and the usual pigments and rainmarks.

I'll have an experiment as I topped up my paint stocks with various Green shades when I bought my Jeep knowing that I had this build to come soon too.

Cheers guys,

Ben

Ought to be an impressive vehicle once you're all done with it Ben, looking good so far.

wbill76

Ought to be an impressive vehicle once you're all done with it Ben, looking good so far.

Hi guys and thanks for the Bill!

Another couple of weeks and I reckon I will be able to begin painting. My RB Barrel arrived this morning which was handy as I only ordered it yesterday and I'm limited to what I can do regarding the turret assembly. Luckily it's now fully assembled and looks superb - I can't wait to start getting her Green!

I thought this build was going to be really difficult judging by the crazy build guide BUT it's been a real gem. The RB models 17pdr barrel really kicks it off - I did try the kit one but it had a split muzzle brake and really didn't cut it. The 4 sprue attachment point meant a lot of clean up and left it looking a bit shabby The RB Barrel is a beauty, 3mm too long according to various various sources but otherwise a really well made piece - I can live with 3mm.

Anyway - I haven't attached the upper and lower hull halves yet as I've got a bit more work to do on the PE Fenders and hopefully they will work! I've got the plastic option should they not. I've changed all kit grab handles with thin Brass rod versions. The corect Periscopes are in use and overall I am so pleased with how this is turning out!

I've made a couple of minor errors but all have been sorted. The only thing I cannot change is the stwoage box at the back of the turret - I've fitted it to show it sitting flush with the radio box in fron that attached to the back of the turret but it looks like the base should be flush and the top should protude above the radio box but again, I can live with that!

Finally prior to painting, all I have to do is fit the 'conical' antennae mounting and some additional PE strips along the hull sides and at the rear and then simply drop that piece in that groove between the gearbox housing and the light guards. Also, some Mr Surfacer 500 will be needed to cover the section where the turret 'top' meets the base section.

After painting it's stowage and tools. I'm definately feeling the love for Shermans right now (My Dad knows my Grandad drove one in North Africa and later on in France but what variant(s) we don't know as we cannot find his war details, medals or photos ) so a Tasca 'Jumbo' might be on the cards for Christmas!

I hope you like her so far - PLEASE leat me have all of your suggestions and viewpoints etc.!

Thanks for looking guys - sorry for the photo quality but the lighting was obviously pretty poor - I MUST make a proper light box now I have a better camera.

Take care my friends,

Ben  

Clean and beautiful!  Can't want it with paint on next!  Going for aluminum barrel is probably the best decision for this because it is pretty long!!!  

I am glad you posted picture of the PE sheets... am impressed it came with a good amount of PE options.  I will be visiting two model shops within two weeks in Canada and KY during my vacation so I hope to find this kit.  

Thanks Andy,

If you fancy a bit of allied armour then this is ideal. The instructions make it look like a nightmare but it's been one of my more simple assemblies.

The barrel really sets it off - it's the RB one which is about 3mm too long according to PMMS but the RB one is most suited to the way the barrel assembles and fixes to the turret.

I hope you get it - you'd work wonders on it!

Ben

Ben, you better get cracking mate!  I had to go to page three to find this thread!  Are you still feeling the effects of Her Majesty's Jubilee?  

Just a few items that you might want to attend to: the lifting rings on the rear quarters of the turret seem too high. They sat lower.

The lift rings on the rear corners of the engine deck seem to splay outwards. They should be perpendicular with the ground and not the slant of those engine decks.

 Also, you should remove the periscope from the asst driver's hatch.  That area was filled by an extra ammo bin -- so no one sat there.  Therefore, no periscope.  Hope these help.  Good luck w/the painting.

Super work there Ben, lost track of her for awhile but it's great to see you back in action!

Cheers Gam!

I've got the main assembly all sorted now which then leads onto the dreaded PE which has impacted on my build speed somewhat. Last weekend I had to go to a friends house (he runs our club) for PE tutoring as I really wanted to use the lovely PE fenders up front. They are now assembled but I could not have done them without his guidance.

He refused dead to do any work on my PE and insisted that I did everything - I'm glad he did as I learnt more in them few hours as I have in total all this year. I've definaly learnt that I need a decent and chunky Etch folding tool!

I'm going to start fitting it now so will either post photos later or tomorrow.

Thanks again buddy,

Ben

Oh btw,

T26 - I'll get them removed! Cheers for that!

Ben

Making nice progress Ben,great PE work

Cheers Tojo - i'm struggling a bit tbh!

I am in awe of all those who produce outstanding feats of PE assembly! I've spent all afternoon fitting those bloody PE fenders and strips to the side of my Firefly! Aagh!

Also the RB antennae base is done which worked well and the other niggly bits too.

Please don't take the mick if you so feel inclined - I may explode

I know it's looking a bit messy at the minute but the Firefly is complete (assembly, at least). I've got the spare tracks to fit tomorrow and the travel lock and then she'll be primed ready for painting next weekend.

I'm in a rush as I need to tidy up but I wanted to post a progress report!

Thanks for looking guys,

This build so very nearly got thrown against a wall today but I hunk on in there and am glad I did.

Some additional glue and tidying is needed before priming but overall - not too bad imo. Just scruffy which I don't like - at this stage I like my models to be 'tidy'!

All the best,

Ben

Wow Ben, its really coming along!  The PE work looks great, even if its a bit scruffy!  As far as nearly throwing it against the wall.....many of us have been there before!!  I almost had a moment a couple of days ago when a 1 YR old build almost fell to the floor  I caught it in time, but a few delicate parts broke off and I felt like taking a baseball bat to it!  Fortunately I don't have a baseball bat, but you get the picture!! 

That Dragon kit looks top rate and I love how the DS tracks fit!  Did you have to shorten them any? 

Not sure on the length? At present they are obviously dry fitted and I'll be wanting them to sit on the return rollers so I think when I fit them and glue the undesides of the tracks to the return rollers to make them sit down I may find I need to shorten by a link.

No big deal!

Thanks for the 'well done'! This PE was sooo hard for me but I damn well did it! When primed tonorrow with the airbrush and ab primer it should look a lot tidier.

Roy - I've looked into your suggestions and will move the rear rings and I have already lowered the turret rings. Thanks.

This is my first Sherman and I've obviously got a LOT to learn about them!

Does anyone know if there should be vertical bolt detail where the gearing housing and the main lower hull butt up together(behind the front suspension assemblies)? It looks like there is something missing and I recall someone saying about the bolt detail that should be there?

Cheers matey,

Ben

Stay with the PE Ben, it gets easier the more you work with it. Looks like you've done a good job with this one and expanded your skills in the process.

I think the PE looks great.  Probably one of the more difficult things with this medium is to mate two edges together  - like on the front fenders.  I don't think you need to go as far as soldering as some do, but you do have to hold the edges in place until the glue sets.   Adding a thin strip of brass across the two plains on the inside could help strengthen it if you find it is not staying in place.

I 'm not quite sure of your question about bolt detail.  Might depend on the original Sherman hull type as three different kinds were used for Fireflies.  The Hybrid utilized the welded/composite hull type.

regards,

Jack

Hi guys,

First off the BAD news

Okay- I had everything looking as good as I could get it to with the PE now fitted and a few little missing items fiited and other parts corrected. It still looked very rough and I wasn't feeling any love for this build today.

It was slowly dawning on me that I'd given very little thought to this build and would find it even harder when it came to detailing. My stomach felt like water because when I airbrushed the primer over it instead of making it look a little smoother and tidy of course it didn't - it showed up the horrible mess that was this Firefly in front of me. Glue marks, rough edges and PE that looked Godawful. Why do we use primer - to show up imperfections! They showed up alright!

So, in a rare fit of rage and despair I threw this model at the wall as hard as I could, instantly regretting my rash action but knowing at the same time the build was going nowhere and it just wasn't to be

Sorry to all of you who have provided help and guidance along this journey.

Now the good news (or better news at least)

The turret was a total success and with the RB barrel and Antennae mount it looked splendid so that has been retained (it wasn't on the build when it got launched at the wall). I'm VERY DEFINATELY planning on buying this kit again and the turret I have here will be perfect after today as I spent time on it tidying it up. The barrel is fixed with CA so it can't be removed.

The plans for the hull are to use it as a knocked out Firefly. Maybe next year but for now I want nothing more to do with it!

So, moving on. I will be resurrecting my Willys Jeep build which got put on hold when Andy asked me to build a StuG for his Panzer III GB. It's all good to go and left in a very nice place to start from. That will tide me over just fine until a GB that is starting in September. I've already got wip photos and a start of a blog in progress so I'll get it posted in here next weekend.

Shermans are a very different thing to Panzer III's and this was not a wise choice of kit to be my first Allied build (apart from a couple of old Tamiya things that I built a couple of years ago and ended up as test-beds).

I'll know EXACTLY what to do when I tackle this kit again. I think a basic Tamiya Sherman will be a good idea before I start this 'tricky and testing' build again. I just couldn't feel the love for this build and when the kit started getting messy and rough - well, you've just read what happens.

Onwards and upwards,

I hold out hope for a decent little Jeep now!

Cheers guys,

Ben  

Sorry to here that Ben,that's a lot of time and money down the drain,not to mention the heartache.I feel your pain.Check out my post,I am working on the new M51 Tamiya Isherman,it builds up very nicely with no issues,perhaps something to look at for another shot at a Sherman.

Best wishes on future projects trying to get the bad taste out of your mouth.

Cheers Tojo72,

It was all going so well but not being well versed in Allied builds and particularly Shermans I really screwed this one up. I know that a second attempt will be far more succesful. I also know what NOT to do and when to do it now!

It was a Christmas present from a couple of 18 months ago which makes it worse but the turret with the RB barrel turned out great and will be used again - I don't give up easily and will definately be buying and building this kit in the New Year! I've plenty of spares now too!

I'm going to build my Tamiya Jeep - a nice relaxing build. See my blog post which I've just resurrected from April, I had to put it on hold to finish a GB build but then decided to build the Firefly. I should have stuck with the Jeep! LOL!

I'll check out your Isherman, I think that kit looks great and definately one for the future

Ben

Ben , in an effort to try to make you feel better and to help you realize it happens to all of us to some degree here are some pics of a Pz. 1 i had just built .

I was taking these pics when i left the photo booth with a high wattage lamp on the model .

When i finally returned the plastic had melted. Two months of work gone .

I looked at the mess for a couple of seconds , in shock of course . Then in a split second i reacted . Hurt my hand i smacked it so hard .

Hope this helps you get past the disaster .

Hi Ben, you may not be in the mood for another Shermy for a while, but if you are looking for a beautifully detailed 35th Sherman (that does not rely on masses of PE) then have a look at Tasca's offerings.  All the fenders, sand shields and light guards are in finely detailed styrene and are a please to work with.  I'm building their British Sherman II DV at the moment and it is lovely.

Cheers

Yikes Ben!  Sounds like you definitely pulled a "HULK" with the Firefly hull!!  Ah well, those things happen and sometimes we need to vent.  A plastic kit is relatively cheap and noone got hurt in the process.  Use the experience you gained on future builds, Shermans or not!  I'm eager to see your work on the Jeep!

Carl, yeah I remember your melting Pz II!  Can't believe how it just....uh, melted!

Yow Ben! When I get mad I've thought about turning it into a kamikaze but so far I've just shoved the thing back in the box and walked away.

As Darren said you might try one without the PE, gosh I hate the stuff, doing a nice outta-the-box build helps me to decompress...

Good luck with the jeep!

Don't feel alone, brother, I've stamped on a few of them myself. Made me feel foolish, but also felt pretty good on a certian level.

Regards,

Mark

Aw man, that's a bummer Ben.  Alas, my Dragon Firefly suffered a similar fate.  The original indie tracks were shite and they fell apart.  That's why it is sitting in the closet with no shoes.  

Cheer up though, mate.  That Dragon Firefly can be had for under $20 here or on Dragon's web site.

Shellback

Ben , in an effort to try to make you feel better and to help you realize it happens to all of us to some degree here are some pics of a Pz. 1 i had just built .

I was taking these pics when i left the photo booth with a high wattage lamp on the model .

When i finally returned the plastic had melted. Two months of work gone .

I looked at the mess for a couple of seconds , in shock of course . Then in a split second i reacted . Hurt my hand i smacked it so hard .

Hope this helps you get past the disaster .

Ben, am so sorry to hear about this but glad you are not alone as many of us have done the same thing.  At least you can save the RB barrel and maybe try either Tamiya or Tasca kit.  I have couple of TASCA kits and they look GREAT and they don't come with PE either.