RCDs & M3 75mm GMC?

[Dave Block]

Thank you so much. I was trying to figure out how to merge the two threads but realized I'd have to take 'moderator lessons' to get results so I left it to the professionals. I can't afford to join the 1:1 scale crowd so I stick to 1:35 plastic where I can 'fudge' some details. After viewing your 'inside the armour' link I can see that it wouldn't have been an insurmountable difficulty for the RCEME to switch mounts (did I mention my dad was in the RCOC/RCEME so I might be biased?). Now, whose going to produce a decent IHC M5 or M9 lend-lease half track?
Cheers, Dave

[paul visser]

Dave,
I have a original photo of the liberation parade in June 1945 in Amsterdam. It is taken on the "van baerlestraat" at the museum plein (concert hall). i think you like this one.

Regards,
Paul

[Dave Block]

I do like this! The first and third vehicles appear to be M5/M9 half-tracks (which officially never had the 75mm GMC mounted) and the centre one is a proper M3 GMC. All sorts of little details set them apart, the lead vehicle has later headlights and side racks while the centre one has the earlier style lights, no racks and both are fitted with front rollers. The third is almost the same as the first but has a winch fitted instead of the roller, a real 'mix n match'. Obviously the placement for the RCA battery wasn't carved in stone either, 'somewhere along the side will do'.
Speaking of the battery markings, can anyone hazard a guess/definitively say what the RCD one would be in this case? I'm looking at Barry Beldam's 'RCA Tac Signs' Vol. Ed.1, 1995 and equating the 'Fox' name to Battery 'F' giving a basic blue square with the smaller red designator square in the lower left quadrant, white 'F1', 'F2', 'F3' or 'F4' depending. (Sigh, a picture really is worth a thousand words!).

Thanks again, Dave