1/18 Firefly Mod Kit

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 11:20 am

paulpratt wrote:will the forces of valor sherman work for the firefly kit?

Well,

The FOV is a M4A3 and the Firefly used the M-4 (21st ) and the M4A2. Nobody make the M4A2.

The parts will work but to be correct The FOV would be the wrong starting tank.

The main differece would be the rear deck but if you use a lot of stowage to hide the FOV grille you could get away with it.

I was planning AS AN EXTRA to cast the rear deck area so you can cut the FOV out and drop the M4 deck in and presto instant M4

That is if you guys want it.

paulpratt · Post by **paulpratt** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 1:10 pm

It's all about the dollar dollar bills y'all, so if you make it for the right price i reckon anyone will buy anything you make.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 6:24 pm

I have been busy and have all of the hard things done.

Fire extg.

Antenna basket

Mantlet

Muzzel break

Barrel A little fuzzy but you get the idea . Brass styreen and bondo

When done this will be the first Commonwealth piece of armor done in 1/18 th scale on the planet !!!

Things left to do.

Ttravel lock
bore cleaning rods
mg hull armor cover
radio box
bussle tool box
turret escape hatch

grockwood · Post by **grockwood** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:19 pm

I still don't know how you do t. The mold building itself is impressive work. But your original parts are pieces of art. What do make the parts out of?

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 7:40 pm

grockwood wrote:I still don't know how you do t. The mold building itself is impressive work. But your original parts are pieces of art. What do make the parts out of?

Thanks for the kudos.

Styreen plastic , brass and bondo.

With lots and lots of sanding.

exether_mega · Post by **exether_mega** » Thu Jun 10, 2010 8:50 pm

Impressive as always !

phil

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 5:43 am

This may be the easist mod kit to date I have made.
For those of you guys who are putting this on the 21st M-4 it will be simply glue on and screw on.

No building reqired. Just typical sanding , filling and priming . If you use the OD Krylon paint in less than a day you will have this done ready to set on the shelf

grockwood · Post by **grockwood** » Fri Jun 11, 2010 2:59 pm

being a British common wealth vehicle, bronze green is more appropriate color then OD.

Example:

http://www.airbum.com/BlogPix/TTM-Firefly-LW.jpg

HardenSteel · Post by **HardenSteel** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 1:32 pm

Excellent! Excellent!

I'm getting 2 full kits and 3 barrels!

HD

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:37 pm

The prototypes are done EXCEPT THE CLEANING RODS. I did not have enough tubbing.

I know there are not Brtiish soldiers out not to mention tankers.

Would you guys be interested in me making a baret ? Does somebody else make them ? Or I could just throw in a Tommy style helmet to sweeten the deal

Aa far as using the FOV. The hatch cover fits over the loaders hatch just barley but it covers. Just glue it on top and there should be no cutting just a little fill. The loaders hatch fits on the 21st turret but you will have to cut the hole. The way I made the frame it should cover the rough opening so it should be a little fogiving. It also is hinged so it open as closes.

I will have to make another hull Mg cover for the FOV.It will to be shaped a little differently because there is no aplique armor.

I need to mount the barrel and do the cleaning rods and it is time to start the mould making !!!!

HardenSteel · Post by **HardenSteel** » Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:36 am

Sure! Do it all!

hd

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:52 pm

Production has started !!

I have about 4 sets made so far. But I have still yet to make the cleaning rods. I hope to get it made and moulded tomorrow.

I will also post some production pics tomorrow.

I said originally $60-$80 . Production is a little easier than I thoughtit would be. THAT NEVER HAPPENS.

So I think that I can offer this short mod for $55 for a limited time . Say about a week or so . Then the price will go up to $65.

So there it is $55 till next Tuesday.

I am ready for orders now.

paulpratt · Post by **paulpratt** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 5:28 am

Pickle, how much extra would it cost to get the accurate grill for the back of the Forces of Valor Sherman tank?

Either way i would like to get a kit.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:22 pm

paulpratt wrote:Pickle, how much extra would it cost to get the accurate grill for the back of the Forces of Valor Sherman tank?

Either way i would like to get a kit.

I was thinking about $10 for the replacement rear deck. The way I will make should be fairly simple to do. Cut along the panel lines and up close against the back of the grill and pop mine in from the bottom.

As promissed here are some production pics.

Here is the cleaning rods prototype

Tomorrow I will make the FOV mg cover and I need to modify the FOV gunclip that holds the gun to the turret. I almost have the clip made.

Let me know how many of you guys who will be usinf the FOV so I can get on the rear deck piece.

I am now accepting orders

exether_mega · Post by **exether_mega** » Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:18 pm

I am in but only for some parts. I will srop you a PM

phil

paulpratt · Post by **paulpratt** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:11 am

I'm in for a kit, but i need the rear deck... sigh.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:37 pm

paulpratt wrote:I'm in for a kit, but i need the rear deck... sigh.

Here you go. Instant Firefly. The fit is tight and it should be easy to cut out. No measuring.Just cut along the panel lines and the edge of the grill and in about 10 mins you can pop in the rear deck.

The cuts will end up being panel lines and the cover covers up the majority of the cut line under the turret. All you will have to putty is your over cuts on the corners and about 1/4 inch on either side of the cover .

Unless JSI comes out with there proposed Sherman this may be the wave of the future if you want a specific Sherman mod.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 4:11 pm

pickelhaube wrote:Production has started !!

I have about 4 sets made so far. But I have still yet to make the cleaning rods. I hope to get it made and moulded tomorrow.

I will also post some production pics tomorrow.

I said originally $60-$80 . Production is a little easier than I thoughtit would be. THAT NEVER HAPPENS.

So I think that I can offer this short mod for $55 for a limited time . Say about a week or so . Then the price will go up to $65.

So there it is $55 till next Tuesday.

I am ready for orders now.

Remember this sale goes on till Tuesday of next week. Then it goes up to $65.

I was looking through some old posts. Here is Ex Mega's post on his Firefly . It looks great also insied the post is Hrd Steels. the Firefly is a popular custom

viewtopic.php?t=13967&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

1958Zelda · Post by **1958Zelda** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 12:55 pm

Payment for two 21st kits on the way!

HardenSteel · Post by **HardenSteel** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:27 pm

Now we need the T23 turret and 76mm gun & mantlet (and all the fiddly bits!).

Then we can have the late Sherman.

Some articulating tracks would be nice!

Great work!

HD

HardenSteel · Post by **HardenSteel** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 1:27 pm

Now, all we need the T23 turret and 76mm gun & mantlet (and all the fiddly bits!).

Then we can have the late Sherman.

Some articulating tracks would be nice!

Great work!

HD

exether_mega · Post by **exether_mega** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:56 pm

PM send

phil

grockwood · Post by **grockwood** » Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:15 pm

How are the Firefly kits going?

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Jul 01, 2010 5:38 pm

grockwood wrote:How are the Firefly kits going?

All the kits have been shipped except for one and I got his address yesterday. The last ( to date ) Firfely should go out Friday !!!!

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Jul 01, 2010 8:17 pm

I am not sure if I mentioned this earlier. I cast the barrels with a brass tube in the middle for support