Build of Airfix Sherman Firefly 1/72 scale model tank – Ref A68221
Buy the Airfix Sherman Firefly 1/72 Scale model kit on Amazon
Part 1 – Unboxing and Main Build
In this part I unboxed the Sherman Firefly, seeing what is in the box and starting the build process.
Part 2 – Painting
In this part I discuss priming the Sherman Firefly using Tamiya painting, then paint it using MRP Paint.
Photos of Track Painting and Weathering Processes
The tracks and wheels in this Starter Set come as one complete unit for each side. Firstly each whole unit was primed with the Tamiya paint, and then paint green with the MRP paint when doing the hull and turret. The bogies and wheels were masked with Vallejo’s Liquid Mask which was painted on. Once dried the tracks themselves were sprayed with MRP Gunmetal.
After the MRP paint had dried the liquid mask was removed. Much of this could be done by rubbing with fingers, but an old tooth brush was needed to get in the smaller details, and a needle to remove some of the smaller bits.
The tyres were then brush painted with a fine brush using Tamiya’s Rubber Black paint. This was a lot each process than that of the Tiger 1 Starter Set.
Decals and Detail Painting
There aren’t many decals for the Sherman, and where decals go is on flat surfaces. A little MicroSet and MicroSol was used just to assist in bedding the decals down, and very little silvering was seen. Using a fine brush the moulded details were painted. Though not perfect, any slight errors could be concealed with weathering.
Weathering
Using the Rust, Stain & Streaking set from Vallejo three different shades of rust were carefully applied to raised areas and edges were wear and rust would occur, using colours to build tonal variation. It is important to ‘hint’ at rust, as you can easily overdo this effect – especially in this small scale.
Then using the German Camo Weathering Set by Mig Ammo a wash was used to highlight detail, streaking grime to add runs, and a pigment for muddy sediments. All of this was a quick and easy process, and very quickly added a realness to the model.
In Conclusion
Although offered as a Starter Set the Sherman Firefly by Airfix makes for a quick build, but with good moulded detail which with weathering and washed looks effective.
The Starter Set edition has the simplified track/bogies, as well as missed some refined details from when this moulding was first realised. However, this compromises are acceptable as the remaining detail is good and speeds the build process.
Buy the Airfix Sherman Firefly 1/72 Scale model kit on Amazon
