Quote:
Originally Posted by Fabrício Menardi
Hello everybody!
I am planning to molde a Canadian Sherman on D-Day: a tank from Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment.
I have in my hands an Asuka M4A2 (direct vision), Bronco T-49 Tracks, Ultracast Decals and Resicast Wading Trunk Device.
But I need some references for a better representation of a "Canada D-Day Sherman".
If possible, give me some photos.
All the best,
Fabrício
|
Coming back to the conversation, I believe there were three distinct styles of outfitting. First were the actual invasion tanks, second the replacements for losses brought up from Britain in the first days on the Continent, and then those tanks which served in the units afterwards.
The first group were carefully prepared for the cross-Channel trip, with waterproofing compounds, fording screens and fittings, and all the engineering marvels that were necessary to get off the landing ship through the water and onto dry land. Whatever preparations these tanks had were discarded as soon as possible. There is no need for a wading snorkel after crossing the high tide line. There is limited film footage of Tank Bomb's preparations in the video 'Green Fields Beyond'.
The second group were bone stock Shermans exactly fitted according to the manuals, with complete tool kits, folded tarps, and filled fluids jerry cans.
Finally, the tanks which pressed the fight were ones which the crews quickly personalized (to a limit), or wrapped in salvaged track sections for ballistic protection. In any accounts I've read, the tanks were treated like interchangeable weapons, with crews split up and distributed according to their skills, or taken over from junior soldiers by commanders when theirs were shot up.
The Light Aid Detachments and salvage crews would have kept these tanks running using parts and components stripped off more badly damaged tanks dragged to collection points. This particular function is written up in one of the references on the Sherbrooke Hussars wikipedia page. And, I think it was written by another MLU contributor. Evidence of this is to note the various patterns of roadwheels found on Tank Bomb.
Edited - I stepped away for another coffee and recalled a few more things.
The Quick Fix applique plates came later on between the landings and the Falaise Breakout. The welded plates would not be appropriate for a 6 June 1944 tank.
The second batch of tanks would not necessarily have radio call signs or nicknames painted on them until a few days after their issue to the units. But, they would have all the required white painted stars and lettering. The big white stars were quickly smudged over with mud or panels when the crews realized the stars were being used as aiming marks.
Finally, dust and dirt would have been more likely than worn paint, broken fittings, or other modeler's weathering techniques. Yes, the crews would have walked on the tanks and pushed against buildings and trees, but the damage of a couple days is not the same as weeks and months of prolonged heavy contact.