LSP_Ray Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 ...or How to Turn a $150 kit into a $750 kit. Here is Andy's M10: My intent is to turn this into a Canadian Vc Firefly, based on a M4A4 hull, somewhere in Holland, 1945. At this late time in the war, Canadian Shermans typically were covered in sections of tracks as extra armor, had T54E1 or T62 tracks with extended end connectors, and laden with all kinds of stowage. Here is a typical pic: TankBuster, JeepsGunsTanks, LSP_Kevin and 6 others 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 The major conversion is made with a resin set from DGS Military Hobby. This now OOP set includes a new upper hull, turret, turned metal barrel, and several detail parts: This set was intended for the Heng Long RC M4A3 kit so there are all sorts of details to correct and add, as well as convert the Andy's M10 lower hull from an M4A2 to the extended M4A4 lower hull. Sasha As, JeepsGunsTanks, Iain and 10 others 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 This should be a blast. LSP_Ray and BiggTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 23 minutes ago, LSP_K2 said: This should be a blast. We can only hope! I also acquired some other items for the build, including SOL's T62 track set: As we as several 3D print items and a set of resin stowage items from Value Gear: You can see I have already been hacking on the white 3D print rear deck as I have decided to only use the radiator top as the one in the conversion set is too large. I had hoped to use the grill from the print also, but it is not correct either. LSP_K2, Iain, BiggTim and 9 others 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BiggTim Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 Very cool.... LSP_Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted April 30 Author Share Posted April 30 42 minutes ago, BiggTim said: Very cool.... Thanks, Tim. I will be sending a PM soon about some more 3D printing I need for this build. LSP_K2 and BiggTim 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josebagasteiz Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 You have a great challenge before you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_K2 Posted May 5 Share Posted May 5 Assuming I actually finish my new work benches this year (and I will), I intend to resume work on one of my own 1:16 kits, the huge Jagdtiger. LSP_Ray 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepsGunsTanks Posted May 6 Share Posted May 6 This should be RAD! I can't wait to see how you stretch the hull. The VC Firefly is my favorite Sherman, good gun, best motor! LSP_K2 and LSP_Ray 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted May 11 Author Share Posted May 11 Searched the stash database and found I had this 3D printed 3-piece final drive cover in the Tamiya 1/16 M-4 box: It actually fits better to the upper hull than the one supplied with it. Missing casting marks and I want to add a scored line down the middle of the raised joins, but not bad. They did make the same error on the bottom though by not extending the flanges all the way to the end! It is supposed to be three parts, guys... More tomorrow; time for bed! themongoose, JeepsGunsTanks, TankBuster and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted May 11 Author Share Posted May 11 So on to one of the biggest jobs: stretching the lower hull. They added about 11" to the length to fit that big engine. First, I marked where to cut it. I picked spots not really where they extended it, more where there was the least detail. After cutting with a Dremel jigsaw, I used thin plastic sheet to space the bogie locations to the correct distance: The rear of the M4A4 hull is vertical, so next I added plastic extensions to fill it out. This will also move the idler mount to the rear some inches, which the drawings also show: I am happy with this, so next to fill in the gaps with thick plastic and smooth it all out. TankBuster, LSP_Kevin, patricksparks and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepsGunsTanks Posted May 11 Share Posted May 11 Very nice! You won't have to hassle with new mounting spots for the Boggies. What are you going to do with all the M10 sprues you don't use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Ray Posted May 11 Author Share Posted May 11 Yes, don't have to move the bogies. Not accurate for the forward cut as the fighting compartment didn't change I don't think, but this will not be a perfectly accurate build anyway with the conversion I am dealing with. The extra sprues are currently thrown in my Achilles box. So, I can builld either an early Achilles or a standard early-mid M10 with what I have left, though I would like to find a stamped spoked idler to be totally accurate for an early Achilles with the duckbill turret. I also could do a M36 if I can locate a turret (the guy who makes them has stopped for an indeterminable time) and find a spare M4A3 lower hull. Every time I see Andy at the shop I tell him he needs to offer a lower hull - VVSS suspension set to help us conversion guys! I haven't won him over yet.... JeepsGunsTanks and LSP_K2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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