NZ Firefly
Almost two years since I last finished/posted an AFV build... Well as this is written it's exactly five years since we moved here to NZ and by coincidence here's a Kiwi subject.
Tasca's superb Sherman Firefly Vc with kit decals and a few extras - RB barrel, Verlinden stowage and Royal Models radio/storage bustle - The markings are for a vehicle from C Squadron 20th (NZ) Armoured Regt. in Italy right at the end of the war. From the outset I had in my mind exactly how I wanted it to look and (for once), got precisely what I was after. Not muddy just very, very dusty.
I had researched the late war British 'Drab' colour and most books/commentators seem to agree it was virtually the same as US Olive Drab but faded to a much greener hue than the American colour so that's what I aimed for.
On top of the self mixed Tamiya acrylic paint there's some dry-brushing with oils, chipping and scratches, an oil-dot wash to get the streaking and just two tones of Mig pigments to get the dusty look.
Now that it's done I am very pleased with it, so much so that I've dug-out an Academy M18 Hellcat that I started around eight years ago to sit alongside it - similar gun y'see ! - you'll see that in a few weeks. As ever thanks for taking the time to look and/or comment and please feel free to make any criticism or ask any questions.
AFN.
Ian.
Ian, this looks really nice. It has a very realistic look to it. Yes, I like it !
Hi Ian, you've definitely achieved the dusty look, I'm assuming that this is 1/48th scale?
No George it's the 1:35 Tasca kit (now available in a Tamiya box !).
Now that to me looks "just right", Ian...nicely finished, detailed and weathered.
Hello Ian,
Not sure what the scale is, but it looks superb.
Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.
Ian, good looking Firefly! Looking forward to the TD. Great weathering.
Real nice!
This is really nice. I'm a big fan of Tasca armour, and think the Firefly one of their best, and your aftermarket choices enhance the subject even more. Thanks for posting.
Agree with all, fantastic job on the weathering, Ian.
The Firefly is one of my favorite modeling armor subjects. It was another British and American marriage of technology and engineering. Finding a reliable tank with an effective gun that could take out the Nazi's best took awhile. People like to praise the Sherman tank with its reliability and being built in large numbers however, many tankers lost their lives in a tank with not much armor protection. The Firefly gave them a fighting chance with the 17 pounder. Two thumbs up on this one.
Thanks everyone, that's a h*ll of response, much appreciated and never taken for granted.
The Firefly is one of my favorite tanks. Well done.
Very realistic-looking! Nice work.