Global Scale Modeller

Hello all

I have a question. I have the M4A3 Sherman kit from Tamiya



Is it possible to convert it into the easy 8? I could buy the Aber barrel , what else would I need if it's possible?

Thanks in advance to all

Dude, I hate to say it but I think you may be flogging a dead horse. I'm no expert but I think you would need different suspension, new tracks, different mantlet for the gun. You might even need a whole new turret. I'm sure there are guys who can tell you about other stuff, my thoughts are just to start with.

Sorry friend

Stokesy44 wrote:Dude, I hate to say it but I think you may be flogging a dead horse. I'm no expert but I think you would need different suspension, new tracks, different mantlet for the gun. You might even need a whole new turret. I'm sure there are guys who can tell you about other stuff, my thoughts are just to start with.

Sorry friend

Man you're right what grown me off was the shape of the hull but now that I look closely it's too much to change!

You could go for a jumbo. You'd need to modify the turret, barrel they had 75mm and 76mm, add extra armour plus other mods depends g on how accurate you want to be.

Kevthemodeller wrote:You could go for a jumbo. You'd need to modify the turret, barrel they had 75mm and 76mm, add extra armour plus other mods depends g on how accurate you want to be.

That's interesting I will look into that! I'm a fan of the bigger gun on Shermans . Will see what I can do

What about making it into the firefly? Supposedly all I need is a new turret?

I don't think you would need a new turret. I think the British fitted the 17 pounder into the existing turret by turning the gun on its side so it would fit. What they did do was remove the radio from the inside of the turret and put it in a bin on the back of it. You would need to build the housing but you could keep the turret. Also, the mantlet was slightly different. Looking at pictures, the ring around the gun where it passes through it is specific to the Firefly.

Stokesy44 wrote:I don't think you would need a new turret. I think the British fitted the 17 pounder into the existing turret by turning the gun on its side so it would fit. What they did do was remove the radio from the inside of the turret and put it in a bin on the back of it. You would need to build the housing but you could keep the turret. Also, the mantlet was slightly different. Looking at pictures, the ring around the gun where it passes through it is specific to the Firefly.

I will do my research and see if I can find a specific kit and some pe parts thanks again for all the good info

sherman parts

http://tasca-shop.ocnk.net/

Ok I decided to go with the firefly version. Gotta get the barrel pe parts and some resin upgrades and nik naks. I'm trying to locate all on the Internet.

Hmmm seem to have issue locating the parts any other website I can look or I have to surrender to fleabay

I'd need to do more research myself, but I believe many Fireflys used either an M4A4 or M4 composite hull chassis. I don't know if there were any Fireflys with a M4A3 chassis.

It looks as though all Firefly tanks were the versions that had the 60 degree glacis plate and bulges for the driver and radioman positions or had the composite hull, both of which versions differ significantly from yours. The M4A3 did have the 60 degree plate but only on the early versions. Unfortunately your M4A3 is the late version which had the 47 degree front plate without the bulges. The US Army did test a 17 pounder turret (sent by the Brits) on a hull like yours but it was only a test vehicle.

If you're going for accuracy its quite a difference I'm afraid. The forward part of the tank looks significantly different with the plate and the bumps. The hatches for the driver and radioman are also very different too. The composite hull version looks different all over.

Check this site out. It covers the details of the various Sherman versions and there's a specific page for the Firefly and what changes were made to the hull / turret etc.

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/

http://the.shadock.free.fr//sherman_min ... index.html

Stokesy44 wrote:Check this site out. It covers the details of the various Sherman versions and there's a specific page for the Firefly and what changes were made to the hull / turret etc.

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/

http://the.shadock.free.fr//sherman_min ... index.html

wow thanks

Looking at all this has got me wanting a Firefly now - d'oh!

Stokesy44 wrote:Check this site out. It covers the details of the various Sherman versions and there's a specific page for the Firefly and what changes were made to the hull / turret etc.

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minutia/

http://the.shadock.free.fr//sherman_min ... index.html

Great find mate

Ok I will just build it in the version of the box! Thanks to all imputs! One more question!

I want to super detail the kit pe parts, barrel resin add ins where can I find all these so I can purchase them all at once?

Thanks again!

Madmattmodels89 wrote:Ok I will just build it in the version of the box! Thanks to all imputs! One more question!

I want to super detail the kit pe parts, barrel resin add ins where can I find all these so I can purchase them all at once?

Thanks again!

Scalemates is good for seeing what's available but you cant buy from them. Find out what's out there and go hunting mate! Careful with the wallet though, it soon adds up

For retailers Hannants are pretty good. Find your tank in the catalogue section and it will list all the aftermarket stuff they have for it. Its not fool proof but its a great place to start.

Alternatively, go to Eduard's site for PE, Verlinden's for resin stowage. Aber for gun barrels although I think they sell through agents.

With all the above sites, once you have identified the product codes for what you want you can go looking for where its cheapest.