Firefly - drooping barrell (1 Viewer)

[marksable]

I just opened a Sherman Firefly that I purchased recently. It's a great piece - maybe my favorite Allied K&C tank so far - but I'm having a problem. The barrel extending from the turret, well, droops. I know, I'm opening myself up to ridicule for that one.

In all seriousness, instead of pointing ahead straight ahead as in the photos (or other tanks like the Tiger), it's as far down as it goes. I can't get it to stay straight.

Is this a defect, or am I doing something wrong? Has anyone else had an issue with this?

 

[arnhem44mad]

No, mine droops slightly too!
It's not too noticable but.

 

[jbonzo1]

I use small pieces of cotton pushed up under the mantlet to keep my barrel straight! I have done this with several K&C tanks.

 

[OzDigger]

Is the barrell actually bent or just rests at a low angle because of its weight?

 

[marksable]

Is the barrell actually bent or just rests at a low angle because of its weight?

Low angle, not bent. It's pretty noticeable to me - I'll try to take a pic if I can. But right now it looks like it's trying to shoot the treads out from under the Tiger.

The only way it will stay up is if I rest it on the gunner's head.

Never had this issue with a tank before.

While I appreciate the cotton suggestion, jbonzo, I wouldn't want it to be visible.

 

[Cardigan600]

Yo Trooper, being an ex Tank man myself, the only time we had the drooping barrel syndrome was after a night out knocking the froth of a few cold ones
. But as far as Tanks go and the barrel wont elevate sounds like a design problem to me, I would be looking for a refund, cannot look good with cotton wool stuffed under the barrel, and who wants a Tank that shoots holes in the ground lol.
Bernard.

 

[Rob]

Yo Trooper, being an ex Tank man myself, the only time we had the drooping barrel syndrome was after a night out knocking the froth of a few cold ones
. But as far as Tanks go and the barrel wont elevate sounds like a design problem to me, I would be looking for a refund, cannot look good with cotton wool stuffed under the barrel, and who wants a Tank that shoots holes in the ground lol.
Bernard.

I agree,if this is an obvious defect I'd go for a refund.

Rob

 

[wayne556517]

Move it away from your TIGER then it wont feel so inferior..................

 

[OzDigger]

Move it away from your TIGER then it wont feel so inferior..................

LOL - good one mate

 

[Vezzolf]

Low angle, not bent. It's pretty noticeable to me - I'll try to take a pic if I can. But right now it looks like it's trying to shoot the treads out from under the Tiger.

The only way it will stay up is if I rest it on the gunner's head.

Never had this issue with a tank before.

While I appreciate the cotton suggestion, jbonzo, I wouldn't want it to be visible.

Obviously NOT like German Armour which is constructed to high tolerances

 

[Mitch]

I would return it as it should be strong enough to hold its own weight in all positions if its doing it now as it loosens more it will only get worse
Mitch

 

[OzDigger]

I would return it as it should be strong enough to hold its own weight in all positions if its doing it now as it loosens more it will only get worse
Mitch

I agree, return it and get the new Tiger

 

[Phantom Warrior]

My experience is that it is a common problem. I just use a small piece of triangular shaped Stimudent tooth pick to prop up the gun mantlet. /it usually slides in and is invisible, but you can always colour it to blend in. I've done this on 2 or 3 models.

Terry

 

[theBaron]

From the number of comments noting the same problem, it does sound like a design flaw in the model. Have any of you contacted K&C about it? This sounds like the kind of thing they would want to correct.

Of course, if they correct it and issue a newer, modified model, the ones you have become that much more valuable, like postage stamps printed upside down

Prost!
Brad

 

[jbonzo1]

While I appreciate the cotton suggestion, jbonzo, I wouldn't want it to be visible.[/QUOTE]

I use an x-acto knife to push the cotton into the mantlet. You can't see it when finished. My Figarti JS-2 required the same fix.

 

[uksubs]

Move it away from your TIGER then it wont feel so inferior..................

nice one

 

[arnhem44mad]

From the number of comments noting the same problem, it does sound like a design flaw in the model. Have any of you contacted K&C about it? This sounds like the kind of thing they would want to correct.

Of course, if they correct it and issue a newer, modified model, the ones you have become that much more valuable, like postage stamps printed upside down

Prost!
Brad

But then it's possible that people would start deliberately trying to bend the barrell lol

 

[uksubs]

Low angle, not bent. It's pretty noticeable to me - I'll try to take a pic if I can. But right now it looks like it's trying to shoot the treads out from under the Tiger.

The only way it will stay up is if I rest it on the gunner's head.
It make you wonder how we won the war

 

[aujj65]

Low angle, not bent. It's pretty noticeable to me - I'll try to take a pic if I can. But right now it looks like it's trying to shoot the treads out from under the Tiger.

The only way it will stay up is if I rest it on the gunner's head.
It make you wonder how we won the war

Makes you wonder if it's been assembled up-side down?

Jeff

 

[Bill Moore]

possibly it`s the Maus Jager version of the Firefly. i`m ex-armor and if the gun tube was slightly lower than level that was the nickname given to the unfortunate tank crew.