Canadian sherman

[DaveCox]

Hi Guys -
I'm hoping that someone can help - I've been sent a photo of a Canadian M4 cast-hull Sherman that I want to model, trouble is I can't read the serial number and my references don't give me the unit, although I think it would belong to 5th Cdn. Arm. Div.?

I don't recognise the track pattern either?

The name Fury appears on the side in yellow.

Any further info would be appreciated.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Hi Dave;

Those markings on her are not Canadian. If I'm not mistaken, they belong to a British Independent Armoured Brigade and the maple leaf below the AoS has something to do with the Brigade supporting 1st Cdn Inf Div from sometime during the Italian Campaign. I'll look it up and let you know. I believe the Brigade was thirty something, maybe 34th, but I'll confirm and get back to you.

Cheers

[Mark W. Tonner]

Hi Dave;

The Formation Sign on her is that of the 25th Army Tank Brigade Dec 1940-Jun 1942, 25th Tank Brigade Jun 1942-Jan 1945. The Brigade served in Italy from Apr 1944 to Jan 1945. Was under command of I Cdn Corps Apr-Jun 1944 and in Sep 1944.

Problem, most of the units of the Brigade were Churchill equipped, not Sherman. Also, the AoS, 61 on Red? Anyways, will see if I can pin down a unit identity for you.

Have attached an image of the 25th Army Tank/Tank Brigade Formation Sign.

Cheers

[DaveCox]

Thanks Mark,

The only AOS 61 I can find is on Green for the Govenor Generals Horse Guards, but not on red. Any more ifo would be welcome but at least you've got me part way there.

Really need the serial but as I don't know the origin of the pic. that's gonna be hard.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Hi Dave;

Found this:

25th Army Tank Brigade: Unit Serials for the three Tank Battalions:

173, 174 & 175 - Blue/Brown horizontal AoS

25th Tank Brigade: Unit Serials for the three Tank Battalions:

161, 162 & 163 - Green AoS

Still digging.

Cheers

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by DaveCox
...a Canadian M4 cast-hull Sherman... I don't recognise the track pattern either?

Dave, this is a Grizzly Cruiser tank, a Canadian-built M4A1 Sherman. It had detail differences from US-built Shermans, the Canadian Dry Pin (CDP) track being the most obvious one. During WW2, Grizzlies were only used for training in Canada.

[DaveCox]

Thanks Hanno - When it comes to Shermans I should have gone to the register first I suppose, just didn't think of it - should always ask an expert.

Gotta find another set of markings for it now and I don't wanna do it as a Yank Tank! I know they were used by the Brits and Commonwealth etc but pics seem to be rare. I'll dig something up though.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Can you tell us what museum/collection this is from?

[DaveCox]

Unfortunately I can't - the photo was sent to me as a response for a request for information with no supporting info. Google searches haven't come up with this one.

[Don Dingwall]

Possibly could be Poland. They have a book out on the Sexton and Grizzly, but they were outside in that volume, near some sort of fort or castle.
I say Poland because you can just see the next tank to it has T34 pattern track.
Just a hunch.

And by the way Dave, FWIW, NEVER consider a museum vehicle a reliable reference item for anything, especially markings.
Those ones in the pic look bogus.

Don

[Mark W. Tonner]

Dave;

After having a good look and digging around, I'd have to say that Don has hit the nail on the head, the markings are bogus indeed.
A bit of artistic impression on the part of who or whom ever painted her up.

Cheers

[DaveCox]

OK, thanks guys for trying - I reckon I've come up with an alternative now which is authenticated.

Don, I don't usually use any restored vehicle as a source. only original ww2 pics, but that one just happened to catch my eye; that's why though I asked the experts rather than rush straight in and used it first.

Thanks again for your efforts.

[tankbarrell]

The Grizzly shown is in the Muckleburgh Collection at Weybourne in North Norfolk here in the UK.

Adrian Barrell