Assembling The Plastic Sherman V

Assembling The Plastic Sherman V We demonstrate how to assemble the plastic Sherman V included in Open Fire! Return to the Open Fire! Hub here...

Begin assembling the plastic Sherman V by cutting the pieces off the frame and remove any mould lines and excess plastic using a file or modelling knife. Lay each component of the Sherman V i.e. the hull sections, the tracks, turret, main gun etc in front of you using the assembly instructions included in Open Fire as a reference. Ensure that you have all the components required to fully assemble the Sherman V before beginning constructions. Make sure you use Poly Cement or Superglue to glue the pieces together.

Step 1. Begin the assembly of the Sherman V with the hull bottom. Tip: Always dry fit (Dry Fitting is assembling components of a model without any glue. This ensure that they go fit together correctly before a permanent bond is created and allows for any fine adjustments to be made.) components before final assembly.	Step 2. Attach the left-hand side track. Tip: When refer to left or right-hand side in regards to a Flames Of War miniature, the orientation is determined as if looking at the vehicle from the rear.

Step 3. Attach the right-hand side track.	Tip: The right-hand side track may need some fine adjustment to fit correctly. Use a file to shave down the section shown below. Be sure to dry fit until the desired fit is archived. Remember to dry fit.	Step 4. Next, attach the hull top to the hull bottom.

Step 5. Included in Open Fire are rare-earth magnets; these are used to secure the turret to the hull. A fool-proof method of correctly orientating the magnets in the turret and hull is use a marker pen. Mark the top magnet and remove it from the stack and secure it in the turret recess with the marked side face down. Next, mark the next magnet in the stack with the marker pen and secure it to the hull with the marked side face up. This will ensure the poles of the magnets are correctly orientated. Tip: Before testing the connection between the turret and the hull magnets, ensure that the glue has cured fully.
Below: Attaching rare-earth magnets to the hull and turret of the Sherman V.

Step 6. Next, attach the hull machine-gun to the front of the hull.		Below: Time to assemble the turret.

Step 7. Attach the gun mount to the front of the turret.	Step 8. Next, attach the main gun mantlet.	Step 9. Finally, attach the main gun.

Step 10. Next, attached the closed hatch to the top of the turret.		Step 11. Finally, a .50 cal machine-gun can be added.

Below: Adding an open hatch to the Sherman V in Flames Of War is used to distinguish the platoon commander from the rest of the platoon. Therefore, when constructing the British Armoured Squadron not only do we need to model two platoon commanders but also the Company HQ. Use the open hatch and one of the three tank commander figures; Figure A is found on the Sherman V frame and can be used to represent a platoon commander. Figure B makes a good 2iC (Second-in-Command) while Figure C makes an ideal Company Commander. Figure B and Ccan be found on Infantry Frame A.
Below: Attach the open hatch and pick a tank commander figure.		Below: An example of a platoon commander.

Below: An example of a 2iC.	Below: An example of a Company Commander.	Below: With the platoon commander in place the Sherman V is fully assembled. Time to learn how to add the optional stowage.

Adding the Optional Stowage You can customise your Sherman V to really make them stand out on the battlefield by adding the stowage included on the plastic frame.
Below: Feel free to customise your Sherman V using the stowage included on the frame. These pieces include rolled up tarpaulins, a spare road wheel and sections of spare track links. Tip: A quick internet image search can often provide inspiration for creative uses for the extra stowage. Try the term "sherman v world war two."		Below: The Sherman V fully assembled complete with stowage ready for painting. Learn how to paint the Sherman V with the Open Fire Painting Guide here...