Shermans are Operational

I have been working on 2 new Sherman platoons for my Flames of War Canadian force.  One down and one to go.

The Sherman was the second most produced tank during World War 2, next to the Soviet Union's T-34.  It was developed by the United States and through the "Lend Lease" program, used throughout the Commonwealth Forces and even the Soviets. 

Sherman with M3 75mm

The Sherman was comparable to early German Panzer tanks.  However with the thinner armour plating and a less powerful gun, the Shermans were far outmatched against the heavier German Panthers and Tiger tanks.

Firefly with OQF 17pdr

The main armament for the Shermans in the Commonwealth was the M3 75mm gun.  However the Sherman Firefly was rolled out to help add extra punch to allied tank platoons.  The Firefly had the same Sherman chassis but had a much stronger gun.  The British attached the powerful OQF (Ordinance quick-firing) 17pdr gun to help punch through German armour.

I used a different style for these new tanks (compaired to my old ones).  I used washes initially to create shadows.  Then drybrushed to blend it in.  However the matte varnish spray really darkened the green and ironically made it a little more shinny.

I wanted the tanks to pop a little so I used the late war decal pack.  I did some research on tank markings and what they meant.  Most allied tanks had several stars on them, these were often smaller ones on the side and rear and a larger one up front or on the the top of the tank (to identify to aircraft).

The left side of the tank has the regiment icon (red with a 51 symbolized senior regiments).  The right side is the army division (in my case the Canadian 4th Armoured).

Vehicles also had serial numbers.  Ones starting with a T were tanks (while halftracks were Z etc).

Vehicles also often had a bridge classification number painted up front.  These numbers represented what vehicles could cross which bridges.  The lower the number the lighter the vehicle.  While a truck may have been rated as a 5, a Sherman was a 27. 

Second Squad is underway

Kevin