Sherbrooke Hussars Sherman III on D-Day

[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

[maple_leaf_eh]

As a retired former Sherbrooke Hussars, I am gratified that you have chosen to model one of our old tanks. My service was much later, but had the privilege of attending the rededication of Tank Bomb about 10 years ago.

I have attached a shot or two of the restored tank which shows it latest, and hopefully best researched restoration.

The war diary mentions the tanks landing on afternoon 6 June 1944 with their Porpoises and dropping them as soon as practical. These were a steel box with extra supplies carried under the belly. Very few modelers seem to depict this rather unromantic aspect of the landings.

[Fabrício Menardi]

Hello, Terry!

Thank you so much for the reply.
I know "Bomb" and its history on WWII and I know the great participation of the Canadian soldiers on the conflict.

I am collection information on the external look of a SFR Sherman in the Normandy.

All the best,
Fabrício

[James P]

I just cannot understand for the life of me why both Bomb and Holy Roller, veteran tanks with a LOT of wartime history, are left outside to be degraded by weather and vandals.

[Gordon Yeo]

Why leave Bomb and Holly Roller to rot? Perhaps Canada doesn't have the experience of defeat and occupation that Europe does. Things are done very differently there.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Bomb gets cleaned up every 10 years. It is now on the lawn of the armoury not on a windswept city park.

[maple_leaf_eh]

There are a few Normandy action shots.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Note: thread cleaned up to get back on track.

[maple_leaf_eh]

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.

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

There is no need for a wading snorkel after crossing the high tide line.

And it could overheat the engine, because of restricting the flow of cooling air.

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

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.

This bears repeating. IMHO far too many models are made a lot worse by greatly exaggerated paint chipping.

[m kenny]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

There are a few Normandy action shots.

One (front view marked 'RC') is an Artillery 'OP' tank.

[m kenny]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

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.

IWM photos B6328-B6331 are the collection point/graveyard at Bray though this is not mentioned in the caption. One tank is clearly Canadian.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205205971
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205415913
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205415914

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205415915


Source: https://imageshack.com/i/pnUDzYxxj
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/923/UDzYxx.jpg

[Robert Bergeron]

Nice pictures of then and now !>Awesome ! My only claim to fame in life is that as a kid i climbed in Bomb by the belly escape hatch and activated the manual traversing and elevation mechanisms [ T& E ] . A gas .

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by m kenny

One (front view marked 'RC') is an Artillery 'OP' tank.

I see what you mean there. I'll edit the caption on my file copy. However, it shows the gypsy caravan modifications common to Allied tanks during the struggle to breakout of the bridgehead.

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by m kenny

One (front view marked 'RC') is an Artillery 'OP' tank.

It also shows something you don’t see much in photos: a white band around the turret roof. I suppose this could be an interpretation of the order from 17 July 1944 to paint turret tops white for aerial recognition?

[David Dunlop]

Is there a windscreen deployed in front of the driver as well?

David

[Jordan Baker]

It’s just a very large star with circle. You can just make out the one star point tip.

Originally Posted by Jakko Westerbeke

It also shows something you don’t see much in photos: a white band around the turret roof. I suppose this could be an interpretation of the order from 17 July 1944 to paint turret tops white for aerial recognition?

[Jordan Baker]

It’s the foul weather hood. Standard piece of equipment. Just not seen all that often.

Originally Posted by David Dunlop

Is there a windscreen deployed in front of the driver as well?

David

[Jordan Baker]

Did anyone else notice the Canadian contract slat grill Jeep in the background of the first picture link in post#12

[Jakko Westerbeke]

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

It’s just a very large star with circle. You can just make out the one star point tip.

You’re right, it is.

Originally Posted by Jordan Baker

It’s the foul weather hood.

This seems to be just the windscreen without the canvas part of the hood, though.