mcspool Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 That's the one! I've looked at that site before too..... Adrian, So if I understand correctly the 100 round box is the 'box, ammunition, M17'? What is the designation of the 50 round box? - Hanno Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hanno 2 types of 100 round boxes were in use , the standard side opening box wich you see nowadays on restored vehicles , but there is also an earlyer WW1 box with canvas carying strap , and a latch lock,identical like on Sherman bins . these boxes are on stowage diagrams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Hanno, the early 100 rd box is the 'chest, ammunition, cal. .50 M17 D39091' and is not designed to fit on a pintle mount. It seems to be used purely for the storage of belted ammo. The 50 rd box seems to be only known as 'box, ammn. .50 D68375 and this is designed to fit on a mount. I think the M17 was replaced by the standard box we all know which is designed to fit on a mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Maurice, I don't think it is a WW1 box, just early or pre WW2. WW1 boxes were, I believe, made from wood and anyway, the .50 Browning was not about in WW1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 You could be right , I was told they were > I got some from a chap who lives near Veurne (ww1 area) and said they used to have loads of them , already from before WW2 . They have no black printing . Found two in Ciney for 5€ each , and they have the black stencelling on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 This is the one I bought on ebay a couple of years ago. The guy sent it from the US and then told me he had another. He wouldn't sell that though. The second pic is of his other box showing the stencilling on the top. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 11, 2009 Share Posted February 11, 2009 Speaking of ammo boxes, in one of the many .30 cal boxes I aquired for the Sherman was the original packing slip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 Here are a few shots I've located on Spanish language google searches.. All Argantina spec Fireflies, the photos from the docks are nice, 1978 being shipped to a trouble spot with Chile.. aparently the Chileans brought 100ish M51 Isherman Shermans from Israel to combat the threat from Argantina... that would have been intresting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 hi , here some pictures I took of how my firefly is comming on , Wiring has to go in first then battery box and storage bin, they are welded in in Firefly`s so not possible to reach afterwards . Found front pannel for battery box , but now still looking for measurements for top of Box . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtistsRifles Posted April 6, 2009 Share Posted April 6, 2009 Looking good!!!:yay: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 After some in between jobs (WOT2) Achilles , I am back on the Firefly project . I was yesterday assembling 2 Homelite generating sets , one cilinder on top , and one cilinder at the bottom (for The Firefly , and the M4A4), I will post pictures wenn they are ready , but the question now is what will be the set gap of the points ? Sherman Manual doesn`t tell , there used to be a manual just for the homelite, but i haven`t got one. So if somebody knows please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 After some in between jobs (WOT2) Achilles , I am back on the Firefly project .I was yesterday assembling 2 Homelite generating sets , one cilinder on top , and one cilinder at the bottom (for The Firefly , and the M4A4), I will post pictures wenn they are ready , but the question now is what will be the set gap of the points ? Sherman Manual doesn`t tell , there used to be a manual just for the homelite, but i haven`t got one. So if somebody knows please let me know. I have...... :cool2: Standby.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Magneto points gap is 0.020" on both HRH and the HRUH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Thanks Adrian , I am also now in the stage that I am Assembling the Radial engine from new bits , In the Manual it says that you should tighten the crankshaft bolt till it is expanding a certain amount , I put a big torque wrench on it , but with micrometer on it , I can`t see any difference in lenghth , anybody else has experience with these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I've never done one myself but you should tighten until the bolt has stretched .005" to .007". I expect this only applies to new bolts. Are you using a new bolt? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 That is amazing work Maurice! Silly question but was that the standard they left the factory in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 Yes I am using new crank , new bolt , etc .I am building an engine that never existed , I colected enough NOS parts to built one . The only used bits are the mounting frame , and some push rod tubes. I tried to stretch that new bolt , but I am frightenned that if I tighten it even more , the fine tread will be pulled of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 13, 2009 Share Posted October 13, 2009 I wouldn't worry about the thread, it will be a very good grade of steel. The tube nut that holds the clutch on is tightened to 650 ft pds and that looks like it would break at 50! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted October 16, 2009 Share Posted October 16, 2009 The firefly Generator is almost assembled , just carburettor , and electrics in instrument pannel have to be installed , the generator for the M4A4 with the cilinder at the bottom has only the dynamo bit the same , and crank with piston , pictures will follow soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Maurice asked me to post these picture of his progress as he cannot seem to attach them to him posts. No doubt he will be along to explain them. I can say that it looks fantastic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpu121265 Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Marvellous. One day, i hope to be posting pictures of similar progress with the small hatch composite we are 'on with'. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Thanks for the update Maurice, I forgot you had an older M4, I had convinced myself it was an M4 Hybrid Hull! According to the Firefly books I've read the last vehicles to be converted were older M4s as stocks of M4A4 (Sherman V) and M4 Hybrids were running out / down. PS. Thanks for all the Loyd help, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maurice Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 but what is meant by the last to be converted !! If you look at pictures in Normandy , you see already IC `s on the move . On the other hand I found a IC hybride in a book about Holland , and later found a picture of the same tank (same T number ) in Use in Normandy still with the 75mm gun in it . So even tanks already in use were converted . M4A4 `s on the other hand with electric turret traverse were never earmarked for conversion , all the ones in Europe with 75mm gun in it as monument are with electric traverse. The M4A1 is never used as Firefly because with the rounded sides there is no place for the rearranged stowage , the Grizzly converted in canada doesn`t have all the stowage bits converted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajmac Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) Mark Haywards book suggests that the first conversions were to M4A4 as they came over from the US, then M4 Hybrids as they were shipped then older M4s that were recalled in the US. There are various original documents referenced in his book from which he draws the conclusion that the availability of suitable Shermans to convert in 1944 was causing quite a concern in the War Office. I presume that is why the ended up back loading and converting vehicles that had already been issued to the British Army and were in use in Western Europe. When you look at the Firefly holding records through Mid 44 to 45 it is quite clear that the balance between M4A4 stocks and M4 stocks tipped as the war drew to a close, as M4A4s dwindled and M4 holding rose. Edited February 11, 2011 by ajmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 11, 2011 Share Posted February 11, 2011 You can almost imagine units offering 75mm tanks up in an effort to get more 17 pdr! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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