This is a what-if design I am calling the SP.5 17 pdr, Sherman V, Arges IIc. In Greek mythology, Arges was a Centaur that fashioned lightning bolts for Zeus. This is another take on the “Stug-Sherman” design that has been a favorite of mine for a while.
The basis for this build is the Rye Field Models M4A4 Firefly. A highly detailed kit I picked it up at a swap meet for a bargain a few years ago. I had so much fun with the M4A2 SU-122P(i), that I wanted to take another crack at the concept. This time, British!
I designed the casemate and mantle parts in 3D CAD. The tricky part was cutting the kit hull to fit. I braced the interior with styrene rod before cutting to make sure the rear deck stayed in the proper position. The kit bogies are workable. I stuffed the final drive assembly with lead wire to weight the front end and the arms were fixed with glue. The tracks will be tensioned when I fix the idler wheels for final assembly.
The model was detailed with the following:
3D Printed parts - John Everett
Master Models - 17 pounder barrel and the British Antenna set
Eureka XXL - Tow Cable
TREX - Comet Upgrade Set
Value Gear – Stowage boxes
Fruil - Churchill Tracks
Duckbills - TJ Haller
Archer – Casting Marks
Figure - Alpine
Some other names I considered.
SP.5 17 pdr, Sherman V, Acheron IIc – River entrance to Greek underworld
SP.5 17 pdr, Sherman V, Apollo IIc – Son of Zeus
SP.5 17 pdr, Sherman V, Chelone – Water nymph punished by Zeus and turned into a tortoise
SP.5 17 pdr, Sherman V, Minotaur – Head of a Bull and body of a Man
SP.5 17 pdr, Sherman V, Unicorn – Horse with a large, pointed horn.
