Info needed: Wonky Star and Camoflage Paint

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Paul Edwards

Thanks Ed, can anyone else shed any light on Cape Breton AoS flash colour (brown or black)?

Cheers,

Paul

Green, and not 74.

[Ed Storey]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Green, and not 74.

I believe, as per the photograph posted in this thread, that 74 on brown was the AoS assigned to The Cape Breton Highlanders up to May 1942. It was changed to 62 on green in May 1944.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

I believe, as per the photograph posted in this thread, that 74 on brown was the AoS assigned to The Cape Breton Highlanders up to May 1942. It was changed to 62 on green in May 1944.

I though we were talking about the crooked star period?

[Ed Storey]

This thread has postings that are all over the place.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

This thread has postings that are all over the place.

Too true, you know to be cautious when it starts talking about paint colours...

[Paul Edwards]

Thank you guys for your input.

Just to be clear, the era I wish my truck (it's an early pattern no 12 cab 1940) to portray is that of the Cape Breton Highlanders in 1942 (no later)

The only true period picture (black and white) I have is posted above (together with coloured artist impressions) from Steve Guthrie book "Camoflage & Markings of Canadian Military Vehicles" it is captioned "Members of the Anti-tank Platoon of the Cape Breton Highlanders prepare for action in 1942. At this time, the CBH were the Infantry battalion in the 5th Canadian Armoured Division Support Group"

I do not have a period photo of the front but assume the "Wonky Star" would not have been bought in action yet. However, is there any evidence that the "Wonky Star" was official policy (at any time)or just a lazy soldier tasked with painting 50 trucks that day.

As for the AoS "74" is clear as day in this period photo, the service flash however is questionable. Does anyone have any clear definitive evidence of the flash colour for the period upto say mid 1942?

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,


Paul

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

I can't imagine an official order, bulletin or guide that said "paint the white recognition star crooked on Canadian vehicles to protest it being an American symbol". There are clear examples of the star being painted straight, on an angle and/or 'funky'. So why the 'funky'? Poor paintmanship in some instances sure, but I've heard directly from several vets that they were un-impressed being asked to paint that American star on their vehicles so took a few liberties with its shape. Or so they told me 50 years after the fact.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Paul Edwards

I do not have a period photo of the front but assume the "Wonky Star" would not have been bought in action yet. However, is there any evidence that the "Wonky Star" was official policy (at any time)or just a lazy soldier tasked with painting 50 trucks that day.

Indeed, the Allied white star was applied shortly before Operation Overlord, only to vehicles which were used on mainland Europe.

Read the latest case in point whether the wonky or crooked white star was policy or a myth here: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...403#post289403