Next project, M-4 Firefly

[General Blasto]

Well I've started the next tank project.
An M-4VC Firefly tank. It's a pretty straight forward kitbash without alot of cutting or self-manufactured parts.





I still have the top gunners sqaure hatch to cut out yet and am trying to figure out what to use as the hinge, because I want the hatch to open.



Side view. Note the modified M41 barrel with custom flash arrestor.
You can also make out the kitbashed tool case on the back end of the tank. Not much left to do, then a nice coat of paint, then decals and I'll be ready for the 3rd tank kitbash. There may be 2 Fireflys I'll make, but when I do the M24 Caffees, I'll make at least 3 of them General Blasto

[kevrut]

Another nice job.

Kevin.

[HardenSteel]

Believe it or not, I used a Lego hinge with the stub ends sandwiched between two pieces of styrene for the hatch. Then drilled through the hinge and used a cut straight pin for a very strong hinge rod. I use straight pins for all 1/18 armour hinges. They do not break.

For the turret part of the hinge, the stub goes straight down into and through the turret top. All you see is the round part of the hinge on the turret top. you can adjust the height of the turret base hinge by pushing the stub up through the turret to the height required. Cut off the stub in the inside that you don't require. The whole thing is brutally strong.

Straight pins can be used for a lot of things. For example, to secure the base mount of a machine gun pintel ( pintle?) I drilled 4 holes through the square base of the pintle. Drill the holes slightly small so that the pin - complete with flat top head - is an interference fit. Press all the way down & cut off the extra length on the inside. The pin head looks like a bolt or rivet head. It’s really strong and you don’t even require glue. Lastly, if you don’t like it, you can pry it off.

I use regular wire or rod for periscope guards and hatch handles. Take only a few minutes to bend into shape. Drill holes for an interference fit and Voila! Done!

You can check out my conversion for reference.

I hope this helps.

HD

[General Blasto]

I finally found what I was looking for
Instead of trying to fit the hatch with sub-mini brass hinges from the Doll house shop, I found some small nylon(plastic) hinges for RC aircraft. Just needed to trim off some excess plastic, add some straight pins for looks and a bit of extra holding strength, brush on a little CA adhesive and Wah la, I should have a square hatch the opens and closes.



I shot this photo as the CA was drying. Now to open the hatch and slightly bend the pins, clip off the excess and a few dabs of CA on the inside and it should be done General Blasto

[General Blasto]

Well the hatch works, Hooray
Well give that man a drink



A few more details and she'll be ready for the paint shop The General

[KAMIKAZE]

Hardensteel,
Do you still have pictures of your Firefly?
Good job on the custom General Blasto.
I hope you will enter the next contest I sponsor.

Mark

[HardenSteel]

Yup. I do.

You can find it here including pictures
of the latest incarnation with more
weathering & storage/ stoage? added.

http://community.webshots.com/user/HardenSteel

Also I've put up a lot of reference
photo's of the real thing, so you can
see lots of variants. I think I may
have put the scale drawings up I used
to create it.

All extras accurate to 1/18 scale and
based on those plans.

It's done pretty well over the years winning it's fair share of silver & gold.

I'll finish it when the British stuff comes out.

HD

[scope uk]

nice mods the hatch looks great!