Tim's bought a Firefly. Research help needed.

For my sins... and will have to sell a few of my existing toys to pay for it...

I've bought a Sherman VC for restoration (Sherman Firefly with 17pdr gun based on M4A4 hull).

This will be a long term project - probably 3 or 4 years. EDIT (in Aug 2022 - Probably 15 to 20 years to include rebuild of the A57 Multibank Engine!)

Key challenge at the moment is finding documentation to assist with this restoration, especially relating to the 17pdr installation.

Pic of 17pdr attached.



So... am missing (Edit 2022 - all now found) Breech Block, Firing Mechanism, trigger mechanism, elevation gear... key part as annotated here from another vehicle (Think from Belgian Tank Museum).



Am looking for scans/photocopies of manuals, parts lists, anything which would be of assistance (parts too!)... veteran's account good too. I have a few of the Firefly books you find on amazon... am looking for the info which might be sat on your shelf gathering dust... like my Valentine Archer, Sherman Crab and Churchill Bridge-Layer manuals!

Please drop me a line if you have anything you think would be suitable that you'd be happy to give or sell me!.

Cheers

Tim

 

Congratulations Tim.

That is indeed a one of kind acquisition. Best of luck with the restoration.

 

Sorry, can't help with the request, but good luck with the restoration and please keep us updated. It will be very interesting to see how things progress.

Just curious - where did you get it from?

Cheers,

Shaun

 

Tim,

Congratulations on your obtaining the Firefly for renovation.

I wish you well with your Project, especially in obtaining the parts that you require.

Regards
Tom

 

Tim,

The Historic Military Vehicle Forum would be a good source of info, doing a search for Firefliy produced 4 restoration projects, and several items for sale. http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/search.php?searchid=3581282

At least you wouldn't be alone in your servitude and pain. Good luck with the project,

David.

 

Ah go on.. please restore it as a Staffordshire Yeomanry Firefly from D-Day; Lt Col Jim Eadie's deployment of his Fireflies played a key part in stopping 21st Panzer..

But joking apart the very best of luck with it - it's an important tank that needs to be shown in its pomp.

 

Hahahaha I wish I had the balls to buy something like that Well done Sir and good luck !

Can Jacob have a ride please ?

 

I remain somewhat troubled that Tim's primary concern is the restoration of the 17 pdr.

Any intention of taking the restored Sherman for a drive to Bovington and picking off a Tiger?

 

thought there was only a select few that knew of the secret resto

good news travels fast, I would be interested in the bridgelayer manual tim if you want to part with it, got a bridgelayer resto on the back burner.

good luck with the resto

rick

 

This made me smile.....I spent longer just parts-collecting on a motorcycle.

 

I assume this "project" is not in your lounge.

 

Or he's got a really big lounge.

All the best

Andres

 

All

Not in my lounge unfortunately - the house would need to be a little larger, though once it's up and running am sure it could be parked in the lounge... though it would make a mess of the sofa, so probably park it in next-door's lounge instead.

Condition wise... the hull is in good condition - no "extra holes" created either during the war, or after, the turret too, but the gun assembly needs a little TLC and the following key parts are missing:

Elevation Mechanism
Firing Mechanism
Breech Block
Trigger Assembly

Drivers Instruction Book / Workshop Manual

Forward Ammunition Locker (have reviewed already having this part made from pattern)

There are a few other smaller bits to be found and no doubt as we progress other things will be identified, but the above elements are the ones which present the biggest challenge.

Thanks for the suggestion to join HMVF - I lurk there too (as do some others here), and also G503 and MLU and a few others around the world - I've not yet put a wanted on HMVF or G503, thought they will come in time.

The initial "on the road" element will take the next 3 or 4 years... to have it completely and correctly fitted out internally with the Complete Equipment Schedule and perhaps key parts of the gun mechanism... that could take the next 10 years or more with some parts eventually being made from pattern parts if originals prove to be made from unobtainium.

At the moment, all a photo would do is show you a mountain of rusty parts... so, will hold off anything further photo wise until things start coming together in the workshop.

If anyone finds any data anywhere, please let me know... anything no matter how small is welcome... and please dont assume I know about something - I'd rather hear about it 100 times than not at all.

Cheers

Tim

 

good day packhow75.sm.09 feb 2015 03:11pm.re:tim's bought a firefly,research help wanted.the only help i can give you is to wish good luck in your project.there must be many experts on the forum who will give you good advice.keep us posted if you find time.regards bernard85 :m13:

 

Thanks for the well wishes - they will be needed, along with a bottomless pocket I think!

The vehicle in question is recorded amongst the world's known surviving fireflies... so unfortunately, not a new discovery... but still presents a good restoration opportunity.

The hull bears the original tank name and British army census number (plus USA number and some other markings)... so am hopeful that someone here may know which unit this served with - unfortunately whilst the name and number appear to have survived, along with some other markings, the div markings have not.

So...

Tank Name - "GAUCHO"
Census Number - "T-289477"

To save me messing about with photos - you will find some here - http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Sherman_Fireflies.pdf - and also in other places on google.

Any assistance will be very greatly appreciated - am very hopeful someone here may have a record of which unit this could have

Many thanks

Tim

 

It's the flimsiest logic but G could suggest 7 R Tks. Although they fought in Crocodiles, they probably reverted to an armoured role immediately after the war.

 

Hi Tim,

I have the census number listed but sadly no name or unit details against it.
Idler might have a point but it is a shame the name wasn't GROUCHO.
Good luck with the restoration.

Cheers

Kevin