CMP 2 pdr Portee unit identification

[Paul Ramsden]

I have nearly finished my 1/35 model of a CMP 2 pounder portee with the tilt body design design. However I have no idea what units would have operated them in North Africa in early 1943.
What unit markings and serial numbers should I apply?
Pictures etc would be most appreciated.

[Paul Ramsden]

Also I quite fancy some sort of two tone camouflage. I wont be adding the canvas cover so the camo will only really appear on the cab area.
Any suggestions? Should it be MP20 or 46 or locally improvised?
Again pictures would help.

[David Ellery]

Awesome model you have there Paul. really looks the part.
If you do a search within this forum on the 2pdr Portee you should get a few pics of the camo that was applied after assembly in the UK. Unfortunately I can't post any pics at the moment as the comps playing up.
The New Zealand Expeditionary Force did use them in North Afirca but I would say it was not for very long,for the more preferred 2 pdr set up was that bolted to the longer CMP chassis (which you will find pictures of ), as the only reference I have read to date of your type of Portee is by a member of the 28th Maori Battalion who remembers the hassle of unloading and loading the 2 pdr, which with the enemy boring down on you would make for very fast hand winching. All the Portees that came back from Nth Afirca here that I have seen to date, there original paint colour is Khaki Green, although I have been told of 1 or 2 who have traces of desert yellow. Hopefully another Kiwi here who is more up to date with NZ Battalion insignia can help you out with markings. again well done on the model.
cheers David...

[Tony Smith]

Excellent model!

The Divisional Anti Tank unit with the 2 NZ Div in North Africa was the 7 Anti Tank Regiment. Batteries of this unit were allocated to various Brigades, and then Troops of 2pdr guns could be attached to Battalions, such as 28th (Maori) Bn mentioned by David.

Markings of the vehicles were a diamond with the Artillery Arm of Service colours of red over blue and the unit identifier of 96. Formation sign of the 2nd NZ Division was a white coloured Silver Fern on a black background.

[Tony Smith]

Not the best pic (Shed posts always are in the worst places!), but this shows the location of the Tac sign and Formation sign, along with the NZ reg No and the Air recognition sign. These markings were copied during the restoration from the faded originals found when stripping back the paint. (Note: The rear body is a NZ C8AX body, not Portee).

[Tony Smith]

The blue coloured border around the Tac sign denotes which Battery the vehicle belonged to (7 AT Regt = 31Bty, 32 Bty, 33 Bty and 34 Bty). I don't have the correct colours for each Battery on hand, but I understand them to be white, yellow, blue, green, in no particular order.

[Paul Ramsden]

Great info Tony thanks.

[Tony Smith]

Paul, far be it from me to criticise what is obviously an outstanding model which you have put in many hours, so I offer the following as information only (with which to improve your masters for full-on resin production! )
The Portee cab has a pronounced false floor which raises the intercept line of the floor and front guards (Wings, fenders?) higher than an ordinary 12 cab (such as the Tamiya GT). The protective "flaps" to provide shelter with the widened cab are also quite rounded.

[Paul Ramsden]

You cant really see it in the picture but I have got the raised floor, however I would say the side flap bits are not curved enough, I think they will have to come off.
Also realised its missing the engine hood catches and some indicators on the front wings.
Thanks again.

[cliff]

A very well done model Paul.