Sherman Firefly Vc

 Next up .. the 1:35 scale British Sherman Firefly Vc from Dragon models. 

8 packets of sprue, 3D printed, metal and photo etched parts. Just look at that bag loaded with track pieces!

Making progress with the Sherman Firefly Vc. 

Having built dozens of these over the years it’s amazing how familiar the Sherman is to me. This is very fortunate as Dragon Models instructions are somewhat questionable, with important bits and steps overlooked, incorrectly numbered parts and a distinct lack of clear guidance on where some pieces even go.

This kit is a real mixed bag but I’m enjoying it and that’s the main thing 

The main elements of the Firefly are now together ready for painting. I still have the tracks of which there look to be over 100 pieces, but that’s for later.

My Dragon Models Firefly has now had its base camouflage colour applied over my favoured black primer. I know I some may say I should probably have gone with Olive Green but I want this to look 100% British and thus US Sherman colours are out! 

 

My assumption here is that although the host Sherman would have arrived from the US in its factory fresh olive drab, once the British had fitted their new and improved 17-pounder, they would have given it a fresh coat of paint.

I've, therefore, gone for a bottle of AK11373 Khaki Green No.3. from the AK Interactive paint set: "British Army Colours North-West Europe, 1941-44". I've never used this before, but it is apparently the green that the British Army used during WW2 and definitely has a more brown hew to that of the Olive Drab; I guess this also reflects the two nation's uniform choices, British khaki v US green. Food for thought.

Time for the tracks. These are the most detailed I have ever attempted and there are no flexible track alternatives! 164 parts and this is just part of one side! 

Day 3 on these tracks and the build goes on! 

I have never known anything like these from Dragon models. I’ve not counted all the bits needed but I can’t think there will be less that 300. 

It took around 500 pieces over 5 days to construct these tracks. While, I’m all for adding a bit more realism, I think Dragon Models lost the plot here. The instructions were less than helpful and eventual fitting around the rear and forward drive wheels appears all wrong. I’m just glad I recently picked up a big tub of Humbrol Smart Mud as this is going to be most handy in disguising this most disappointing finish

Well, I couldn’t leave those tracks looking like that after all. Another couple of house stripping them down and using fuse wire, superglue and a lot of trimming I’ve created a more realistic look but feel a good application mud will still be required.

I’ve also interviewed a 3DGizmo figure for the tank commander role. The Dragon Models figure is built, but I’m not sure he’s going to make the grade. Will see how both shape up as the build continues. 

Next up is the loading of accessories and fun weathering bit.

Finally! Dragon Models 1:35 scale British Sherman Firefly Vc in the markings of 13/18th Royal Hussars, 27th Armoured Brigade, Normandy 1944. 

Using Vallejo and AK Acrylics, Abteilung 502 oils, MIG Pigments, 3DGizmo figure and scratch built camo netting, apart from the 500 piece track design, this has been a joy to build! 

This completes my 1:35 scale D-Day80 AFV model collection … what next 

German STAFF CAR Type 170V

 Having a break from my Seaton Scale Modellers group build, so that I don’t finish it too early! 

I thought, during this interlude, I’d revisit a WW2 Generals project that I kicked off earlier in the year by building the MiniArt Mercedes Type 170V Cabriolet B German Staff Car.

I acquired this MiniArt Mercedes Staff Car some months ago as part of a 1:35 scale WW2 Generals project. The subject for this build is none other than Erich von Manstein and having been one of the generals to launch the Barbarossa campaign, I decided on an early Eastern Front scheme of dark yellow and green, understanding the brown in the box art camouflage was a later addition. 

The Master Box Models General figure built very nicely and I think the addition of 3D-Gizmo’s seated officer adds to the scene of open door and bonnet so as to expose some of the great detailing in this kit.

Erich von Manstein was the military strategist who devised the 1940 plan to invade France through the Ardennes bypassing the Maginot Line to cut off the French and Allied armies in Belgium and Flanders. For his mastery he was promoted to the rank of general and given command of the 11th Army for the 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union. Early victories and the capture of Sevastopol in July 1942 saw him promoted to field marshal, however, although avoiding being implicated in the assassination attempt through illness, disagreements with Hitler over the conduct of the war following the disastrous battles for Leningrad, Kursk and Dnieper, he was dismissed from his command in March 1944.

Taken prisoner by the British in August 1945, he was tried for war crimes and convicted for the poor treatment of prisoners and failing to protect civilian lives. He served just four years before being released in 1953. In his 1973 obituary it was said "He assisted in the march to catastrophe—misled by a blind sense of duty."

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The Kit

Brand: MiniArt
Title: German STAFF CAR Type 170V Cabriolet B
Number: 35107
Scale: 1:35
Type: Full kit
Released: 2012 New parts