Can I get away with…?

[Calimero]

I’ve bought 6 Armourfast Sherman Firefly Tanks. I’ve already build and painted two and now I realise that I’m unlikely to need much more (… well maybe just a third one). My question is can I simply cut down the barrel on the remaining models to make "regular Shermans"?

IIRC the "rectangular box" at the rear of the turret where separated pieces. Could I just build the turrets without them to have, again, regular Shermans?

Also, did someone among you try to remove the "mud guards" that are cast on the hulls? Was it difficult? I’ve always wonder with Armourfast did their models that way… on the pictures I’ve seen most of Sherman tanks don’t have them anyway.

Cheers!

[tanktastic43]

Yes you can.

They're for wargaming after all.

Just dress them with additional stowage and you'll be fine.

tt43.

[Westfalia Chris]

I’ve always wonder with Armourfast did their models that way… on the pictures I’ve seen most of Sherman tanks don’t have them anyway.

It appears that the Firefly kit uses the same basic sprue as their M4A3 kit (which is a bit strange since I seem to recall that Fireflies were predominantly built on M4A4 chassis). IIRC, all marks of Shermans came equipped with "sand screens" (the protective sheeting on the sides which I assume you are referring to as "mudguards"), although these were usually removed on operations outside of the mediterranean theatre (I'm not even sure if they were used outside of Africa).

[Elk101]

You could have got away with it if it wasn't for those meddling kids and that pesky dog!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

It's also my understanding that the Firefly conversions were only undertaken on Sherman M4s, M4 Composites and M4A4s, with the vast majority M4A4s. Didn't they also have two top hatches to facilitate gunner evacuation? Not that it matters too much, you might as well get use out of them. As Tanktastic said they're for wargaming and a bit of dressing will sort them out!

[starkadder]

Artful placement of camouflage netting always helps.

[NTM]

A few Shermans retained the sandshields in NWE.
4th Armoured Brigade cut theirs off and welded parts to the back of the tank for storage.
There were some minor differences on the mantlet but S&S Models have a replacement set designed to convert a diecast 105mm Sherman to 75mm which may work for you.

http://www.sandsmodels.com/

[Calimero]

Thanks for the replies all!

Look like I will have some cutting to do!

Thanks for the info on the S&S barrel. I didn’t know about that. And thanks for the picture too since it make me realise that I need to glue the gun’s support on the front of the hull on "regular Sherman".

Cheers!

[NTM]

The gun support was not that common on the 75mm M4A4 if used at all the pic is of a late production M4A3 which was quite different. Something I forgot to mention earlier is that the 75mm armed version did not have a loaders hatch as per the Firefly so you may want to cover that up.

[Burnt65]

And Fireflies did not have a bow MG

[NTM]

True but I believe the part is included in the Armourfast kit none the less so the OP has it available for the conversion.

[Ramshackle_Curtis]

Galiope conversions too! Sticka  matchbox on top with straws in it!
Yaya!

[Calimero]

Galiope conversions too! Sticka  matchbox on top with straws in it!
Yaya!

A little over the top for me...

True but I believe the part is included in the Armourfast kit none the less so the OP has it available for the conversion.

Yes it is... That's one of the things that make me wonder if I could convert  these to regular Sherman

The gun support was not that common on the 75mm M4A4 if used at all the pic is of a late production M4A3 which was quite different. Something I forgot to mention earlier is that the 75mm armed version did not have a loaders hatch as per the Firefly so you may want to cover that up.

...and which one is the loader hatch? The small rectangular one I would guess?

[NTM]

...and which one is the loader hatch? The small rectangular one I would guess?

Correct