SPA Modeler

Stikpusher wrote:I will say that the Firefly kit is going to be a bit more complex than the average Tamiya Sherman kit. But it is a great subject choice. If you want British armor that is more typical of Tamiya for quality and ease of assembly I suggest you look at either their Churchill, or Cromwell tank kits. I’ve built both and they are great kits.

Thanks so much!!!
How about Tamiya’s 1/48 version, Carlos? And where would I source extra wheels, British fire extinguishers and tools?

https://www.tamiya.com/english/products ... /index.htm

Just speculation on my part, but I’ll bet the Tamiya 1/48 is a sweet kit like the rest of their 1/48 series. I have not see it in person, built or in the open box.
As far as sourcing British tools, in 1/35 they should come with the kit, as would the fire extinguishers and spare road wheels. Worst case the the tools can be sourced from a set of Brit accessories by Bronco. There are multiple sources for spare road wheels, most kits include them, or several resin companies make them. The Brit fire extinguishers are a tougher case. An educated guess says Accurate Armor or Tank Workshop.

Stikpusher wrote:Just speculation on my part, but I’ll bet the Tamiya 1/48 is a sweet kit like the rest of their 1/48 series. I have not see it in person, built or in the open box.
As far as sourcing British tools, in 1/35 they should come with the kit, as would the fire extinguishers and spare road wheels. Worst case the the tools can be sourced from a set of Brit accessories by Bronco. There are multiple sources for spare road wheels, most kits include them, or several resin companies make them. The Brit fire extinguishers are a tougher case. An educated guess says Accurate Armor or Tank Workshop.

Thanks, Carlos. I found out Tamiya discontinued these... I found one on eBay for $40.00 and Black Dog 1/48 British Sherman IC Firefly Accessories (33 resin parts) for $21.04. Both include shipping.

Black Dog: http://www.blackdog.cz/t48.html

I am sure you know about Black Dog; I am posting the link as a resource (also for me, so this research is all in one place!)

I dunno! I looked over the Tamiya kit line up based on cheapest kits and found the Walker Bulldog! Super cheap cheap cheap...

https://www.tamiyausa.com/items/plastic ... -kit-35055

The Tamiya Walker Bulldog is an oldie by goodie. It’s of the same vintage as the Panzer II that Stuart is building. It’s a great kit for the novice armor builder. But it can use some help too if you want to make it better.
I know of Black Dog and their resin. Another company you may want to look into is “Value Gear” who make similar items.

Stikpusher wrote:The Tamiya Walker Bulldog is an oldie by goodie. It’s of the same vintage as the Panzer II that Stuart is building. It’s a great kit for the novice armor builder. But it can use some help too if you want to make it better.
I know of Black Dog and their resin. Another company you may want to look into is “Value Gear” who make similar items.

I looked at Renwal and Monogram's Patton tanks as well. I read the instructions for the Monogram Patton tank... I also read the instructions for the M41 too, Carlos. Turning over a new leaf, bud. I like the old kits. Maybe less so the Renwal but the Monogram and the Tamiya M41, wow—especially the Bulldog.

It's currently sitting in my Sprue Boys cart awaiting its fate. I mean... I dunno what to do. I think that this may be fun, but the reviews I have read of the Firefly also stress its ease of building. Maybe it's cost. Hmmm.

I think go with whatever most takes your fancy Bruce - You'll enjoy them both I'm sure.

However the fact is only one of them has made it as far as your cart... Just saying.

portman wrote:I think go with whatever most takes your fancy Bruce - You'll enjoy them both I'm sure.

However the fact is only one of them has made it as far as your cart... Just saying.

Currently in the game of “What’s in the cart for me?” is your namesake—the AFV Club Stuart!



I also have the much more realistic to build at this point Tamiya M41 with it...

AFV Club... beautiful kits, but seriously over engineered. Why mold something in two or three parts when it can be done in seven?
The Monogram Patton is fun, but old, and lacking details in a few areas. It looks like a Patton when built OOB, but could really use some help. If you want a new tooled kit if that, and one that’s not over engineered, I recommend the Revell Germany M48 in 1/35. Not perfect, but very nice and good enough. The Renwal kits... straight out of “Back to the Future” era metal wheel strap on roller skates.
Seriously, if you want a Tamiya Sherman, get the E8 at 40% off at Hobby Lobby while you still can...

Uh oh, well looks like I’m goin’ down with a lot of parts on my non existent bench. I just ordered the M41A3 by AFV Club in 1/35, Carlos!! Yikes. Well—at least this won’t be a boring build. I can easily be comic relief.