Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== Dragon 1/72 Sherman M4A4 Vc 'Firefly' ====== <WRAP box half round> * Manufacturer: Dragon * Part number: 7303 * Year of production: 2006 * Series [[:blog:models:military:index|Military series]] * Scale: 1/72 * Kit type: Scale model of WWII armoured vehicle * Vehicle: Allied medium tank * Price: £25, old, sealed kit, from a seller on [[https://www.ebay.co.uk|Ebay]] in September 2024 (kit //long// out of production). * Build date: Started May 2025 </WRAP> {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:dragon7303.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:dragon_firefly_poster.jpeg?250|}} This kit was bought in September 2024 to be displayed as part of my [[blog:models:french_armour_display|WW2 French countryside ambush]] display. ===== Build Log ===== ==== Box Contents ==== Box cover: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161010.jpg?300|}} Instruction sheet cover and contents: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161032.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161045.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161054.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161058.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161107.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161111.jpg?300|}} Parts sprues. These are really nice quality, very sharp moulding: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161138.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161151.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161205.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161221.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161256.jpg?300|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161306.jpg?300|}} Tracks (styrene - still flexible, not falling apart), photoetch and decals: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20240904161325.jpg?300|}} Some of the photoetched brass parts are //hilariously// small and I haven't a hope of my eyes and hands being able to use them! The louvered engine cover and other larger parts should be okay though. ==== Build ==== **[Build started 8th May 2025]** Built up suspension and wheel assemblies: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250508195055.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250508202707.jpg?500|}} **[15th May 2025]** Added more parts to the lower hull section: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250515140915.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250515140931.jpg?500|}} **[16th May 2025]** Building up the parts for the upper hull and turret. I think I have hit the limit in what I can actually handle with my not-so-young-anymore hands and eyes... some of the photoetch brass parts are beyond my ability to use effectively. I decide to only use the parts which are not too small for me to see or handle - this means there are a small number of details not added, as well as a few more details which remain in plastic (and not cut/replaced with the brass). Even so, this is a very detailed kit for 1:72 scale. This is an example part - it's a cage which fits over various vision blocks on the tank... and it's absolutely **tiny**. And there are about half a dozen of them, there are some //even smaller// handles to replace cast-in plastic ones from the frame, and they can be no more than about 1.5 x 2mm (part number #14 on the brass sprue)... I just couldn't work with them! {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250516185514.jpg?500|}} Adding the photoetch parts that I //can// handle to the upper hull: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250516195249.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250516195257.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250516195318.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250516195328.jpg?500|}} Test fit the two hull sections to ensure they go together without any major issues, and they do: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250516214125.jpg?500|}} Brass parts for rear mudguards: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517121045.jpg?500|}} Final parts added to turret: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517121055.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517121106.jpg?500|}} Adding extra stowage kit from a big bag of random bags, canvas, crates, fuel cans, helmets etc: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517182012.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517182021.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517182027.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250517182034.jpg?500|}} All extra pieces in place: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250518163950.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250518163956.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250518164002.jpg?500|}} ==== Comparisons ==== Comparing with the [[:blog:military:models_sherman_m4a2|Heller 1:72 M4A2 Sherman]] which I built a couple of days after this Dragon kit: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518164034.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250518164040.jpg?500|}} The Dragon kit is //lovely// - just look at the texture of the cast turret, the weld details etc. Plus there's all that brass detail... //if your eyes and hands are capable of using it all!// However, the regular Heller Sherman is still a very nice kit - especially if you don't want or need the M4A4 Firefly variant. ==== Painting ==== === Base Colours === Prime in light green: {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250518192140.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250518205952.jpg?500|}} Pre-shading and highlights: * Vallejo Model Air - Nato Black * Mig Ammo - Cold Grey {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250524130123.jpg?500|}} Olive drab and stowage parts painted: * Vallejo Model - N41 Dark Olive Drab * Stowage parts painted in various browns, greens - mixture of flat colours and washes, speed colours, inks etc. {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250524132608.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a2_leclerc:img20250524132627.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250524190630.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250524190637.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250525090133.jpg?500|}} === Decals === The kit has several schemes, but none of them have much in the way of markings. {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250525102921.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250525102930.jpg?500|}} === Chipping / Rust === Colours in lightest (outer edge of rust) to darkest (inner rust patch): * Vallejo Model Colour - Pastel Green * Vallejo Model Colour - Russian WWII Uniform Green * Vallejo Model Colour - Chocolate Brown Actual rust streaks from these patches will be added later. {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250525113056.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250525113112.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:sherman_m4a4_firefly:img20250525113120.jpg?500|}} ===== Completed Images ===== ---- [[:blog:models:military:index|Back to Military models index]] blog/military/models_sherman_m4a4_firefly.txt Last modified: 2025/05/25 16:33by john