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Modeller Build Logs
Tasca Sherman Firefly Vc |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Dec 1, 2006 | | Updated: | Apr 29, 2007 |
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OK, I’ll admit it, when I got the opportunity to do a blog using Tasca’s new Firefly kit I was giddy with excitement. I’ve got Tasca’s Pz. II Luchs, and I’ve built about three of their Sherman suspension sets, and two of their 0.050 cal MG sets. Tasca has yet to disappoint.
Now as a total Shermanaholic, I’ll admit that the thought of building a Sherman model that requires only a little bit of extra work is hard to fathom. I mean what is Sherman modeling without a bucket of aftermarket resin parts, replacement tracks, and a huge photoetch sheet? It’s … like modeling German armor (noooo don’t say it’s true)! There, I’ve said it. 2006 has been an allied modeler’s dream and Tasca’s Firefly is the grand finally of the fireworks show.
But in many ways I’m glad to be doing a blog using a great kit. My last two blogs involved extensive use of resin conversion and scratch built parts to make unusual Shermans. So they were heavily focused on construction tasks. Yet I’ve noticed that most of the comments I receive when I post photos of my models are requests for more information on how I do my painting, weathering, and groundwork. So for this blog I will spend less time on the construction tasks and more time on the painting, finishing and techniques for making simple ground work.
Up Next: The Construction Starts.
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| Hull details: Front Hull | Dec 12, 2006 |
There are number of items to be fitted to the front hull. First is that armored plate that covers the bow 0.30 cal MG position. The Firefly did not have a co-driver since the area was reconfigured for additional storage of 17 pdr ammo. So the 0.30 cal MG was removed and an armored plated was welded on to cover the opening.
Tasca gives you two options for the armored plate so you need to pick the one that is correct for the Firefly you’re modeling. But note that this plate is welded to the hull. The Tasca piece does fit nicely but you need to add the weld around it. I used a 0.015 inch rod that I softened was Tenax liquid cement and then used a putty knife to simulate the weld. I wish I’d done this before I’d attached the hull to the transmission cover since the plate comes very close and it makes adding the weld tough. So do this first.
Otherwise, the parts went on without trouble. Tasca has done a great job on the headlights and provides a separate, clear lens. I’ll probably not use it since I find just adding a drop of epoxy gives a great lens with little effort but its there if you want to use it.
One note, there’s a piece of photoetch angle bar mounted between the driver’s hoods. Be sure to scrape away the weld line where this piece is installed otherwise you’ll get a bit of a teeter-totter effect.
Finally, note that I’ve chosen to install the houseboat fittings. These are the small squares on the hull sides and the large pieces mounted to the fenders. Their actual purpose was to mount a cover over the top of the tank which was used to disguise it as a truck. This was used effectively in North Africa, particularly just prior to the battle of El Alamein. But its use dropped off and most Fireflies don’t seem to have these fittings so check your references before installing them.
The do look cool though. Tasca did a very nice job with all of these little parts. The mounting locations on the hull sides are indicated from a scale drawing included on the instruction sheet. I’d recommend that Tasca modify the instructions to include reference dimensions but hey, I know how to use a ruler so it wasn’t a big deal.
In general the details on hull are really excellent. It used to be that you’d need an aftermarket photoetch sheet to get this level of detail but Tasca has done it in plastic. Other than the tools and missing tow cable clamp, there’s not much to complain about or to upgrade.
Cool.
Up Next: The Suspension |
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