M4A4 Sherman VC Firefly, Halinski 1:25

[snake7]

Last bits..
Turret hydraulic travers gear

On the left oil reservoir, on the right control box, on the top hydraulic switches. And funny looking handle is gunner's power traversing control handle.
This is only a half of whole mechanism.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

Simply AMAZING!!!

 

[micahrogers]

Simply AMAZING!!!

What he said...
:exploding_head:

 

[snake7]

Thanks Rhaven and Micha

Second part of hydraulic travers gear - manual controls

I want to notice that there are no markings how to glue parts in angle to each other, so you must figure it out by 3D drawings only

Next step was to connect two parts together by piping. But first i decided to to glue them in basket. Gear itself has marking on one of the beams to glue to, but manual controls glue marking is in turret itself. So i dry fitted basket into turret and marked placement of the controls. Then i glued it inside basket and attached previously prepared pipes.
Also, there are two parts of protective skirt. Those have hole mesh, that very difficult to cut in paper. But friend from neighbour forum also assembled this model and got him laser cut ones. And i got the spares!

Skirt from book

Laser cut skirt

Took one sample and painted to look like original

Everything assembled in basket

Basket finally glued to turret!

And look what attached next

Gun inserted into opening like it should. It was easy to connect lifting cylinder with gun base, through the openings in floor.
I think, on real tank, when gun unit was faulty, they just pulled whole unit out and inserted new one. Genius engineering!

 

[snake7]

Bonus, as usual

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

The laser cut parts add another layer of realism to the project as a whole.

 

[micahrogers]

That skirting for the cage adds another layer of realism to this kit. Great Work.

 

[zathros]

I have run out of words. These little bits and pieces that are made up of 10 or 20 pieces just blow my mind. seriously though, I will start repeating myself, if I haven't already. It's like looking at a Michelangelo, what could any of my comments possibly add.

 

[snake7]

Thanks guys!

Last part was like a sweet bonus.
So satisfying detailed one and so joy to build
External MG Browning M2!

In process. Barrel made from straighten office clip.

Ready

MG and stand assembled together and... I finished it!!!

MG...

MG on turret...

Turret on hull...

Firefly completed!

Final thoughts and photo session will be later.
I just need to pack my mind and also to think how can i make a photo session of such big model (my little studio to small for it)

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

You did a GREAT JOB on the MG Browning M2. Like everything else, it looks very realistic! This tank turned out PERFECTLY AMAZING!
KUDOS TO YOU ON A FINE JOB WEL DONE!!!

 

[mijob]

O man you nailed this build I love all the details and the way you shared your thoughts during this build. Thank you verry much for building this amazing model.

 

[snake7]

Well, in such a big project you need to make a conclusion.

First of all, i want to thank everyone that watched this thread and stayed with me for such long period. Your feedback was i big part of motivation to continue till the end.

So, 1 cm thick book, 10000+ details, three and a half years of assembling, 900+ pictures, a lot of glue and cardboard and super detailed model, that was a challenge and joy to build.
Despite such a complex design, there were minor mistakes, that were really easy to correct.
Design is on top and very thoughtful with builder and for this my big respect to the creator of this model. Print is excellent and paper is good, though can exfoliate when rolled tight.
I enjoyed a lot to build this model and learned a lot about tanks and Sherman Firefly in particular. When model is so detailed, you just want to get as more information about it as you can and understand every part you put together.
In addition i learned some new technics and had new experience with paper and cardboard work.
This build just became a part of my life for several years and i feel a little strange right now, after finishing it. Also, there are side effects - I'll probably always compare any model to Sherman, from now on
To sum it up - this was a journey and i loved it.

P.S. I plan to present Firefly on upcoming exhibition of Israeli IPMS modelers club.

Enjoy final photo session

Part I

 

[snake7]

Part II

 

[micahrogers]

A truly wonderful build, the detail is amazing, and your execution is top notch.

:exploding_head:

Truly deserving of a Model of Merit.

 

[Rhaven Blaack]

KUDOS TO YOU ON A FINE JOB WELL DONE!!!

 

[mijob]

You have made a verry nice state of the art model. I agree this is a model of merit.

 

[snake7]

Thank you, pals.

 

[Boris]

Dear Igor
This build is a real piece of art.
Your patience , commitment and attention to details should be highly appreciated.
This is an example of how model build should be done, but, moreover, it is a good example of how to present a build log: step by step, with clear and understandable explanations.
Kudos!!! Keep on rocking!

 

[snake7]

Thanks Boris!

 

[zathros]

One of the most fantastic builds, build threads, and probably the best tank model every constructed by anyone. What a jewel!