Dragon Firefly IC
After a three day break from model building, I am back at it. As noted earlier, this Firefly will represent Zemsta II (Polish: Revenge II). One picture, taken from the right side, exists. The tank appears to wear T54E2 tracks. Another Firefly in the same unit, Zyrafa (Polish: Giraffe), clearly wears such tracks. This project uses T54 tracks from Bronco. To my eyes, they look more like T54E2 tracks than T54E1 tracks, but I could be in error. Individual link tracks with a lot of parts to not bother me. However, in my opinion, these tracks are not well designed; I would not purchase them again.
This model comes with a commendable number of brass parts. On my project, some brass parts were replaced with sheet stock because the latter are much easier to affix.
I chose to use plastic parts for the light and siren guards. That was probably a mistake but brass brush guards are a gigantic pain in the tail end.
Something is wrong with the attachment bars for the sand shields. The geometry at the front shoulders, where the front fenders meet the composite cast hull area, cannot possibly work as represented in the model. My hypothesis is that the real front fenders have a slight upward bias, front to back. I have not yet decided if or how to deal with this issue.
Some artwork of Zemsta II shows the turret with a left side pistol port. This model does not have that port. At least one other Firefly in the same unit does not have the port. In my opinion, the model is probably correct.
The model comes with a British fabricated box for the right rear engine deck. The single picture of Zemsta II does not show the tail. Zyrafa has some kind of box in that position. My model uses the box.
Fireflys have a small box on the upper left rear tail plate. This is probably a phone. Some drawings and pictures show the box mounted with the lid proud of the engine deck. Some show the lid flush with the engine deck. My model has it flush. That may change.
Firefly tool layout varies a lot. My model represents a best guess. On Zemsta II, a very large duffel bag covers most of the tools on the right rear engine deck.
The model comes with two styles of spare track block hangers with two styles of track. After building up and gluing one set of hangers, I realized all possible configurations are wrong. This will require some effort to correct. It is unclear what track block hangers, if any, were used by Zemsta II or other Fireflys in the same unit. My interpretation will be a guess.
The model offers two configurations for the commander’s M2 heavy machine gun. Fireflys in pictures rarely (if ever) have them fitted. British doctrine was to button up during air attacks and hope for the best. I have no idea what the Poles thought of British doctrine, nor what they did with those machine guns. My interpretation will be a guess.
Two versions of the plate that covers the bow machine gun are included. My choice is a guess. There should be fairly prominent welds all around the plate.
British mechanics seem to have removed the dust cover attachment loop over the bow machine gun and the mounting bosses for the 75mm gun travel lock. Unfortunately, I missed this fact and now need to remove them.
Fireflys gun cleaning rod parts are usually stowed on the left rear engine deck. My model still needs those parts.
As a final note, this model includes many options. The instructions do not provide information about what options to use for each subject. In many cases, they do not show how to place parts. Additional references are an absolute requirement.
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Work progresses more slowly on my Jagdsherman. Last night, I came to a unexpected realization–the model was designed for wide tracks! What the heck was I up to here? This is a real bummer because I do not currently have the parts to execute such a plan.
Otherwise, the model is in good shape but requires some very minor shimming and weld bead work. The casement for the 90mm gun needs more extensive revision. The gun shield I came up with 15 years ago is flat out ugly and requires complete replacement.
This model was my third entry in the Unfinished Business 2023 campaign. Initial work probably began sometime in 2019 or 2020. The project restarted in late June or early July of 2023. After good initial progress, painting problems resulted in one delay after another.
What you see here is the second attempt, painted over the first. While the model did not turn out as planned, I tried many new things and learned a lot in the attempt.
Little setbacks with broken parts, lost parts, and painting really slow me down. However, my skill level continues to slowly improve and each time an old project is completed, everything else speeds up.
on first completion of the year!
