Looking for markings for Canadian M3A1 Scout Car

[marco]

A photo showing a RCCS "Alternate rear link" Scoutcar attached to XII Manitoba Dragoons.

[Jack Geratic]

Hello Marco, thank you for posting this photo - many interesting details!

- camouflage style is the early foliage pattern

- AoS number 44 is dark (black?) with white outline - any special meaning to this, or just an attempt at low visibility?

- tactical marking AC2, appears to be close to official size of 8"x6" but have eliminated the 5/8" yellow border due to surface size restrictions?

- bridge class disc looks to be 7" diameter

- unknown serials on center of front bumper

- rear bumper attached, or is that some other detail in the photo background?'


regards,
Jack

[Ed Storey]

There is no rear bumper, the AoS 44 should be red and the markings on the front bumper are a CMD number.

[Jack Geratic]

Ed, thanks for pointing out the AoS having red numbers - wonder the reason and if that itself dates the photo?

It does seem Commonwealth use of the White Scout Car introduced a number of changes or deletions, particularly for use in NWE. Found someone's compiled list here, plus some photos - particularly useful are the top view showing the MG rails removed:
http://hmvf.co.uk/topic/40344-white-...-use-nwe-1944/

Also another example of the triple set of hinges on the rear:

B8148.jpg.469b06ecfb69bff0becd865b14ea864d.jpg


regards,
Jack

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Jack Geratic

Ed, thanks for pointing out the AoS having red numbers - wonder the reason...

Red serials are unique to Signal units. The serials couldn't be white as the top of the Signal AoS would absorb it, and they couldn't be black for the same reason against the blue. So red's the colour. I think they stayed that way right up until AoS were no longer used post-war.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Jack Geratic]

Ed, thanks once more, did not realize the top half of the AoS was white. So is the 44 adopted from the parent formation Manitoba Dragoons, or just coincidentally the same number? TIA

regards,
Jack

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Jack Geratic

Ed, thanks once more, did not realize the top half of the AoS was white. So is the 44 adopted from the parent formation Manitoba Dragoons, or just coincidentally the same number?

Jack,

The AoS for a Signal unit is white over blue. A Signal troop and a LAD attached to a unit carry the same serial as the parent unit, but it's applied over their Corps AoS.

Cheers,
Dan.