Tag: british

Flames of War British Sherman Firefly

Reading the army lists I realised I needed a Sherman Firefly either to accompany my Shermans or my Cromwell IVs.

Sherman Firefly

The Sherman Firefly was a World War II British variant of the American Sherman tank, fitted with the powerful British 17 pounder anti-tank gun as its main weapon. Originally conceived as a stopgap until future British tank designs came into service, the Sherman Firefly became the most common vehicle with the 17 pounder in World War II.

Though the British expected to have their own new tank models developed soon (and were loath to consider using American tanks), British Major George Brighty championed the already-rejected idea of mounting the 17 pounder in the existing Sherman. With the help of Lieutenant Colonel Witheridge and despite official disapproval, he managed to get the concept accepted. This proved fortuitous, as both the Challenger and Cromwell tank designs experienced difficulties and delays.

After the problem of getting the gun to fit in the Sherman’s turret was solved, the Firefly was put into production in early 1944, in time to equip Field Marshal Montgomery’s forces for the Normandy landings. It soon became highly valued as the only British tank capable of defeating the Panther and Tiger tanks it faced in Normandy at standard combat ranges. In recognition of this, German tank and anti-tank gun crews were instructed to attack Fireflies first.

Within the blister, as with a lot of FoW models, you get a resin hull and turret and metal tracks and accessories.

Flames of War British Sherman Firefly

The model does go together quite easily, though you have to watch as the main weapon (well mine did) needed straightening.

Flames of War British Sherman Firefly

I was also concerned if the HMG on the turret would stay during a game, so I did drill the hole it goes into.

Flames of War British Sherman Firefly

The next stage will be a white undercoat.

See the workbench feature on my Flames of War Sherman Firefly VC.

Basecoat for the Universal Carriers

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong.

Having given them a white undercoat, the next stage was to spray a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow. The next stage  was a basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

Full workbench feature on the Universal Carriers.

Flames of War Cromwell ARV

Having given a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow the next stage was to do the main basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

As you can see the basecoat has not coated the tank completely.

Looking at it, it might need a second coat, though I think a wash may solve some of the “white” problem.

Here’s the model with a second coat.

See the workbench feature on the Cromwell ARV.

Additional undercoat for the Universal Carriers

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong.

Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by Allied forces during the Second World War. Universal Carriers were usually used for transporting personnel and equipment, mostly support weapons, or as machine gun platforms. With some 113,000 built in the United Kingdom and abroad, it was the most numerous armoured fighting vehicle in history.

As with some of my other metal models I can’t remember the manufacturer of these.These metal models are not as well defined as the Flames of War resin models, so in the end I might use them for scenery or objectives.

Having given them a white undercoat, the next stage was to spray a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow when I do the main basecoat.

The idea is the keep the main part of the model with a white undercoat and the undersides to be darker than the rest of the model.

Full workbench feature on the Universal Carriers.

Flames of War Cromwell ARV

Having constructed the Cromwell ARV, the next stage was a white undercoat. I then sprayed a basecoat of Humbrol Dark Green to the underneath of the model to add shadow when I do the main basecoat.

The idea is the keep the main part of the model with a white undercoat and the undersides to be darker than the rest of the model.

The view from the underside.

Next stage will be the main basecoat of Warpaint British Armour.

See the workbench feature on the Cromwell ARV.

Constructing the Flames of War Cromwell IV

The Cromwell Tank was one of the most successful series of cruiser tanks fielded by Britain in World War II. The Cromwell tank, named after the English Civil War leader Oliver Cromwell, was the first tank in the British arsenal to combine a dual-purpose gun, high speed from the powerful and reliable Meteor engine, and reasonable armour, all in one balanced package. Its design formed the basis of the Comet tank. The Cromwell first saw action in June 1944, with the reconnaissance regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps.

As with my Cromwell ARV (which I did first) I glued the track guards to the tracks and the main weapon to the turret and the hull MG to the hull.

I then glued the tracks to the hull.

I also glued the hatches to the turret.

This time I decided that I would not use the tank commanders.

Unlike the boxed set these models are all the same.

See the full workbench feature on the Flames of War Cromwell IV.

Undercoating the Universal Carriers

The Universal Carrier, also known as the Bren Gun Carrier is a common name describing a family of light armoured tracked vehicles built by Vickers-Armstrong.

Produced between 1934 and 1960, the vehicle was used widely by Allied forces during the Second World War. Universal Carriers were usually used for transporting personnel and equipment, mostly support weapons, or as machine gun platforms. With some 113,000 built in the United Kingdom and abroad, it was the most numerous armoured fighting vehicle in history.

As with some of my other metal models I can’t remember the manufacturer of these.These metal models are not as well defined as the Flames of War resin models, so in the end I might use them for scenery or objectives.

I gave them a white undercoat.

Full workbench feature on the Universal Carriers.

Flames of war Cromwell IV

The Cromwell Tank was one of the most successful series of cruiser tanks fielded by Britain in World War II.

The Cromwell tank, named after the English Civil War leader Oliver Cromwell, was the first tank in the British arsenal to combine a dual-purpose gun, high speed from the powerful and reliable Meteor engine, and reasonable armour, all in one balanced package. Its design formed the basis of the Comet tank. The Cromwell first saw action in June 1944, with the reconnaissance regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps.

In the blister you get a resin hull and turret and the rest of the model is in whitemetal.

In the end I picked up a couple more to make a full platoon.

See the full workbench feature on my Cromwell IVs.