New and Shiny from Airfix: Tiger and Sherman Firefly

At last Airfix have remade their Tiger Tank kit wit the "correct" bin bit at the back and it look beautiful. To add further to the appeal they have boxed it with a suitable opponent - the Sherman Firefly (see below, for once the box art does not deceive, the Tiger in the box also has a bin on it too):   

The Tiger sprue ()\see below, the sharp eyed will see two sets of tracks one simple the other complicated): 

In hushed reverence I started putting it together (see below, the pieces fit beautifully together .. gasp .. which I said several time during the making of this kit): 

The instructions themselves were also a work of art - clear and unambiguous (see below, the kit sort of started just building itself - akin to modern sets of Lego): 

Not a fast build kit but a clear and clean build kit that encouraged thoughtful assembly (see below, completed with the "Simple [four-piece] Track" system which just slotted over the spokes sweetly):

Spot the difference? (see below, the kit is so precision that I managed to assemble the second set of tracks - simply slot out the first (simple) set and pop over the twenty part tracks. Which was which in the previous photo and this? Am I messing with you .. (?) .. is there a difference at all?):   

Less photos perhaps, but an equally pleasant build the Sherman Firefly! I would now of course love to see the normal Sherman get a similar treatment (see below, although again there were two versions of the tracks I went for the simpler one piece casting, which tells a story of "quality" in itself - plus the Sherman layout does not lend itself to a "slot over" like the Tiger, you have to build one way or the other): 

Sigh, bucket list Tiger from Airfix done. Time for a cup of well earned tea me thinks!

School Tank Project - The Tiger Tamer .. The Sherman Firefly

So it started, a decree from school and a small child wanting to make a WWII tank. I told the lad about the fabled "Tiger Tamer" that was the Allied response to the deadly German Tiger and Panther tanks. The journey started with a tank that would not survive the trip to the primary school (see below, the 1/32 inspiration [from a company called "21st Century Toys" I think] and some seemingly random bits of cardboard and balsa - can you see what it is yet): 

Taking that distinctive boxy Sherman shape (see below, courtesy of an ingenious "flat" stapler gun - my universe has completely changed):

Classic PVA mixed with "Pound Shop" or "Home Bargains" acrylic for quite an authentic (IMHO) British Army Bronze Green (see below - this was quite a messy part of the process, also track and turret parts are WIP):

Next was a clever (if I do say so myself) use of coffee stirrings that I "always" collect when I can (see below, snipped into pieces and around a cardboard and balsa frame - two of which have to be made of course - this took some effort sticking them on with the aid of a "glue gun"):

First production "mock-up"(see below, a HB pencil has been brought in after much debate to be the "gun" - perhaps a slightly Super Sherman 105mm rather than a 76mm Firefly 17 pounder, but what the heck I am sure the kids will love it):

Looking good (see below, please note the "gun mantle"):

Painting time - Green complete (see below, "looking good?"):

Final painting job, the tracks, black courtesy of "The Works" art section and final "glue gun" assembly (see below, note - I had quite a hard job steering my sons painting away from the "green" sides):

Bring on that "Tiger" (see below, close infantry armour cooperation with Airfix British Infantry - also note the line drawn wheels and suspension):

Who knows Tim does a WWII lawn battle beckon for it in 2019 or do you require a mass production line to churn out twenty or so for a RTR?

Plastic Soldier Company Sherman Firefly and Airfix Sherman

Blow me the boys at PSC make a mean Sherman Firefly. I mean I would think twice even if I were in a Tiger from taking these boys on, with obligatory cup of char in the background "though decaffeinated" (see below):

Nice looker with spare parts to adorn the hull front to add a little extra armour, and we all know "every little extra helps" (see below):

Compare this against the old Airfix veteran, with a PSC tank commander to nominate it as a command tank (see below):

I don't think I can mix these boys in the same regiment though (see below):

One RTR with Airfix Sherman and Matchbox/Revell Firefly. The PSC Firefly boys are intended to support the Cromwell RTR I am forming.

Model on as a fellow blogger would say

Matchbox/Revell Sherman Firefly

It may be old but it is still a classic and a perfect match for my Airfix Shermans in my 1944/45 British RTR viz Command Decision orbat (see below):

That makes a total of four so I can up gun my formation with an extra Firefly troop as happened with teh Guards Armoured I believe.

It is gratifying that it still slips together like a dream despite its age :)

Footnote: 
PS Matchbox had the tracks dilemma sorted back in the 1970's