Tamiya (Tasca) 1/35 Sherman Firefly

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:07 pm

So having recently moved across Scotland back to my parents for a while I had no modelling space until recently. Once I had a desk sorted I cracked out a kit to get back into the swing of things after several months of no modelling.

I had picked this kit up a few weeks before whilst down in Edinburgh for a job interview and decided that I felt like giving it a go. This kit is the Tasca Sherman Firefly reboxed with Tamiya instructions, and their new WW2 British Infantry set included as well. I also bought an RB Models metal barrel for the kit.

So lets get on with the build!

Making bogies

Lower hull

The detail so far is awesome. There is PE included in the kit as well, which is cool. And does add some nice detail to the structures around the engine bay doors on the rear hull.

Thanks for looking, updates when I have them!

Post by **sef** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 6:32 pm

Looking good. Will follow this as I'll need a Firefly in my collection soon.

Post by **gustavlekstal** » Sat Dec 20, 2014 9:45 pm

Its look like a cracking build. Happy days and happy modelling

Post by **Gb64c** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 11:56 am

Gav

I read somewhere that the tracks for the Tamyia kit are diffrent then the Tasca, do you know anything about this?

How are the tracks?

Are they detailed in the inside portion ie. Not like the old Tamiya tracks that are smooth inside

Thanks

Post by **Gb64c** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 12:01 pm

Paul answered my question on FB, it is the Tamiya (Tasca) EZ 8 that has Tamiya link tracks and not the Tasca tracks that are found in the original Tasca EZ 8 kit.

Post by **jbellos1** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 1:50 pm

Great looking kit Gav - one I would like for the stash myself.

Post by **Joesdad** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:37 pm

Gav, is that the same Tasca Sherman which Eduard have released recently?

Confused of Torquay....

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 4:51 pm

joesdad, i don't know mate, haven't looked. It might well be the same base kit (although its a normal M4 in the Eduard kit, this is a Firefly).

I have finished building the kit, but with family now visiting, and Dad still not allowing me to spray in the house then its gonna just sit on the shelf until I can sort something out with regards to painting.

I will get some pics up in a bit.

Post by **Joesdad** » Wed Dec 24, 2014 7:36 pm

Gav, I thought the difference was the gun but then I'm not an armour guy, don't know my couplar from my sprockets.......

Post by **trnkepfc** » Thu Dec 25, 2014 12:12 pm

i like it

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Dec 31, 2014 6:37 pm

Well a while ago (just before Xmas) I got this kit built.

I had taken pics, but never gotten round to posting them here. So here they are.

(Holes filled in the front plate, as I mistakenly drilled them before realising they were for the version I wasn't building).

This last pic shows the fixing of the RB Models metal barrel. I basically had to set it in epoxy, but this worked fine and was no trouble.

So my thoughts on the build. Well once the slightly fiddly bogies were done, the build went on quite fast. I had no fit issues anywhere, and the details in the kit are very nice. The figure, as Alextheblue recently mentioned, needed some tidying up, but looks ok once cleaned up and glued together. The PE in the kit is quite thick and I had trouble bending some bits nicely.

All in all a nice kit to build. I don't know when I will get round to painting this as I still haven't sorted a spraying solution for home since Dad won't let me paint indoors.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:34 pm

Time for an update. So with finishing my Tamiya M1A2 Abrams it was time to push on with my Tamiya Firefly.

The model was primed with Vallejo Grey primer, then some pre-shading with Tamiya XF-1 was done. Over this a basecoat of Vallejo Russian Uniform was applied. I darkened this a touch with some black, and applied to the lower areas, lowest points of the vertical plates etc. I then lightened the mix and highlighted the upper hull plates etc.

Anyway enough waffling, take a look at some pics of the painting so far.

Thanks for looking, and your feedback is welcome.

Post by **Coen** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 10:41 pm

That's an excellent paint job Gav.
Are you going to do the barrel camo?

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:18 pm

Coen wrote:That's an excellent paint job Gav.
Are you going to do the barrel camo?

Cheers Mike. Yeah I will be doing the barrel camo, its not that hard, did it on a 15mm scale Firefly once lol.

Post by **Coen** » Tue Jun 16, 2015 12:35 am

I'm thinking that the 15mm was a lot more difficult, so this should be now trouble then.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 4:36 pm

Been making some progress on this over the last few days. I have gotten the pioneer tools painted, attached the bogies, painted the uniform on the crew figure and added some initial chipping. I was in the process of painting the barrel camo, then the masking tape pulled the paint off the metal barrel! I generally have no issues with Vallejo primer, but it doesn't stick to metal very well.

So now before I do any more I will have to reprime the barrel in Mr Surfacer, then repaint it. Once that's done I will do the barrel camo, any other details which need done. Then give the model a gloss coat ready for decals and pin wash etc.

Will update with some pics of the progress later on.

Cheers

Post by **Nige99** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:12 pm

Your firefly looks great Gav. Great colour scheme and I love your shading. Look forward to seeing the crew.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 4:10 pm

I do have some pics of my progress, but can't post them from work here, so will update this later with some pics.

I reprimed the barrel with some Mr Surfacer then repainted it. But had the same issue with the tape taking the paint off. I was only wanting to ensure a straight line! !

So its been shelved until I calm down about it lol. I will repaint the barrel, and then do the barrel camo entirely freehand so as not to rip the paint off this time, then just not touch it!!

I do have the rest of the Tamiya WW2 British infantry set which came with the kit to build up though, and I do plan on getting either a jeep or a Universal carrier to make this into a small diorama. The idea I have is for the tank and jeep/UC pulled off the side of a road/lane and the troops marching past. Nice and simple, no need for any fancy groundwork etc. So should be good.

Pics later, I promise.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:57 pm

And the promised pictures.

Added some chipping..

More chipping, and showing the bogies attached.

And the barrel cleaned ready to be repainted.

Cheers

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 3:14 pm

I bought a Tamiya Universal Carrier recently, with the intention of adding it onto a diorama base alongside the Firefly. Building of this is going ok, its an older kit so requires more clean up before assembly, but its nice. And the fit is still good on the kit, as are the details.

Will get some pics up soon of the progress so far.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Jul 09, 2015 4:35 pm

Looks awesome Gav!
That Tamiya Bren gun carrrier is a descent kit. It's pretty flat in the detail, but with stowage you can hide almost all of that.
This should be a cool piece when it's finished dude.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Jul 11, 2015 12:03 pm

Cheers Mike. I will prob just add the few bits of stowage that come in the kit, its only a support piece for a small dio, and I don't wanna go spending more on some stowage sets etc.

So as promised, so quick pics of the build where it stands now.

Running gear is all done and will be painted seperately and added later.

And the main vehicle as it currently stands.

Next is to build up the front plates with their various details and get them installed, then I can build the crew. Then its more or less ready for some paint I think.

Cheers

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Jul 18, 2015 11:08 pm

Time for an update on this project.

First things first I built up the front of the carrier, and got some of the details made up as well.

Just to show the difference in detail between the kit Bren gun (green) and the Bren on the new Tamiya British infantry set sprue.

Building figures

Crew fit

Then today I got some paint on the carrier. The highlight colour was a touch thin and so hasn't settled as I wanted really, so may need to redo the highlights, and then add some shadows to give me a slightly more pronounced modulated colour effect. But its a start and its good to get some paint on the model.

I also basecoated the figures in English Uniform, so they will get started soon as well.

And that's it for now. Project is moving along at a nice pace now, which means that I should get things finished relatively soon. I so need to fix the paint on the Firefly barrel. Once that is done and the basecoat sorted on the UC, I can paint the details on the UC, attach the wheels, first layer of chipping, and then I can gloss both vehicles at the same time ready for washes, further weathering etc. So both vehicles should end up finished at more or less the same time.

Cheers for now.

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 1:06 am

I guess i missed this build
Very nice work on the firefly
I like the color as most of my allied vehicles where much darker i always had a lot of trouble weathering them but i like this one
Keep up the good work and i will be looking forward to the next update

Post by **Nige99** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 2:01 pm

Looks great so far Gav, took forward to seeing them painted and put on a dio base.

Post by **DoubleDigit12** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 6:22 pm

Nice one Gav,
On a side note is it just me or has Wonderland Models just started stocking Tamiya cement and Mr hobby surface and primers.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 7:54 pm

Yeah I noticed that. They always stocked Tamiya stuff and once Extra Thin was allowed to be sold in the UK they got it. Did notice the Mr Hobby stuff as well

Post by **martin57** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 9:38 pm

Nice work ,going to look when your done .

Post by **Coen** » Sun Jul 19, 2015 11:15 pm

Nice work Gav. That fig set is excellent. Especially that Bren gun operator. Wow!!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 12:16 pm

Sat down to work on the Universal Carrier last night. I have managed to make some progress with various detail painting. Another night might see that completed and then I will do some basic chipping, and get the model ready for a gloss coat alongside the Firefly. At that point I can then work on both at once.

Post by **arkbuilder2012** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 2:28 pm

Nice work on the Firefly. Have one of these on the to-do pile. Inspired now to get it built.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 10:30 pm

Here are some quick pics of last nights progress.

Thanks for looking.

Post by **Coen** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:01 pm

Looks really cool Gav.
Two questions... What colour did you use for the fire extinguishers?
And what colour is that on the seat padding?
Look awesome!

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Aug 26, 2015 11:06 pm

The extinguishers were painted in Vallejo metallic Rust. They will get a wash later which will tone them down into a slightly darker brass colour.

And I originally dis the seat pads in black based on a reference pic I found, but found others which had brown. So drybrushed the seat padding brown over the black. Most won't be seen once the crew are in so its a minor detail.

Post by **Coen** » Thu Aug 27, 2015 1:07 am

Thanks bud

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Sat Oct 31, 2015 4:34 pm

Not uploaded the pics yet, but these two models now have a coat of gloss on them, and will get decalled tomorrow hopefully once the gloss has dried overnight.

Parents are away so I have brought my airbrush back indoors, and bam! T-90 primed, Firefly barrel re-sprayed and both Firefly and UC glossed in an afternoon. Amazing how much more productive I am when I can paint at my bench. Off next week too, and parents are still away so fingers crossed for getting lots of airbrushing done.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:44 pm

Its time this thread had some more pictures don't you think?

Well I can now confirm that both models are now "complete", bar environmental weathering of the running gear, which will be done once the diorama is done, so that the models and diorama interact properly.

Without further ado, onto some pics for you guys.

Both vehicles were gloss coated with Aclad Aqua Gloss and decalled. Thankfully there was only around 6 decals per vehicle.

The UC crew were finished up, ready to be glued in place.

Tracks were painted and installed on the Firefly

Initial round of streaking etc. on both vehicles.

The Tamiya Infantry after painting but before their final matt varnish.

And after the matt varnish

The following pics are as the models currently stand. I have done a bit more streaking, added various tones of AK/AMMO Nature Effects to show build ups of dirt/dust and have used the airbrush to "splash" some dark and fresh mud effects on the front and rear of the Sherman, this will be built upon with some pigments etc. later on.

That's it for now. I have laid down a layer of dirt/glue mix on the picture frame I am using as a diorama base, but that will take a few days to properly dry, once done I can do the rest of the diorama and mount the models.

Comments are most welcome, I am keen to hear what people think. Cheers.

Post by **wappynutter** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:54 pm

Looking mighty fine to me Gav, love the figures and that Carrier.....

Hope your keeping well mate, not seen you about in ages dude...

All the best, continued success..

Post by **MarkVerploeg** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 12:53 am

Very nice work Gav
I like the figures but the vehicles look great too
I will make sure i read through this thread again when i start 1 of my British Shermans

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 8:01 am

Cheers guys.

Andy - oh I have been around, just don't get as much time to sit and browse the forum as I did before. And progress on models is slow due to Dad not letting me airbrush indoors. But he is away just now, so making the most of it! Chances are things will slow down once he is back though

Mark - thanks buddy. Nice to hear that something of mine could be useful to someone else.

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Mon Nov 09, 2015 12:46 pm

So the vehicles are "finished" now. All I will do to them now is add some running gear weathering to match them to the groundwork on the dio. I will get some fresh pics of the vehicles in their final state later and post them soon.

Cheers for your comments.

Post by **chameleon** » Sun May 01, 2016 6:53 pm

New here, so firstly wanted to say hello, and secondly, I wanted to ask whether you'd finished this project yet?

And can we have more pictures please?!

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Mon May 02, 2016 12:36 pm

Hi Gav

What paint colour/make did you use for the tool wooden handles, I've been looking for just that colour?

Website · Post by **Gav0909** » Wed May 04, 2016 2:10 pm

chameleon wrote:New here, so firstly wanted to say hello, and secondly, I wanted to ask whether you'd finished this project yet?

And can we have more pictures please?!

hey buddy thanks for the comment. Yep the vehicles and figures are all finished, but the dio base isn't. I am probably not going to bother putting them on a dio just now as I haven't the time or inclination to do dios just now. I might get round to adding some dirt/dust etc. to the running gear on the vehicles, but other than that they are finished.

I will try to remember and take some "final" pics for you. Cheers

Kev. I'll be honest and say I can't remember! It was definitely a Vallejo paint. And I guess they were probably base coated with some medium brown tone, and I think the highlight colour was "Wood" or something like that, a Vallejo Model Air colour I think. Sorry I can't be more specific!

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed May 04, 2016 9:06 pm

Gav0909 wrote: Kev. I'll be honest and say I can't remember! It was definitely a Vallejo paint. And I guess they were probably base coated with some medium brown tone, and I think the highlight colour was "Wood" or something like that, a Vallejo Model Air colour I think. Sorry I can't be more specific!

Thanks for getting back to me I'll have a play and see what I can come up with.