1953 M37CDN Paint Complete

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Clint Tauber

Any information about the markings would be welcomed, I would love to know what the “51” means.

Clint,

When the field forces of the Canadian Army were organized as a Division, the tactical serials allocated to the armoured regiments were as follows:

50 - The Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armoured Regiment)
51 - Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (2nd Armoured Regiment)
52 - 1/8th Canadian Hussars

In 1958 when the field forces were reorganized as Brigade Groups, the tactical serial became a '5' which signified an armoured regiment in an infantry brigade group. All of the armoured regiments carried the same serial '5' whether in Germany or Canada.

This lasted till about 1970 when the system of tactical markings went from the British to a new and low vis system.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Clint Tauber]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Clint,

When the field forces of the Canadian Army were organized as a Division, the tactical serials allocated to the armoured regiments were as follows:

50 - The Royal Canadian Dragoons (1st Armoured Regiment)
51 - Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) (2nd Armoured Regiment)
52 - 1/8th Canadian Hussars

In 1958 when the field forces were reorganized as Brigade Groups, the tactical serial became a '5' which signified an armoured regiment in an infantry brigade group. All of the armoured regiments carried the same serial '5' whether in Germany or Canada.

This lasted till about 1970 when the system of tactical markings went from the British to a new and low vis system.

Cheers,
Dan.

Thank you 🙏🏼!!! Now I can tell people my truck was with Lord Strathcona’s Horse, and yes it did also have just a “5” painted on at one point. The “51” was repainted at least twice.

[Clint Tauber]

I have one more question, why are all of my tac signs white? It had the triangle, square, diamond, and I believe a circle at different times. All were in white. Shouldn’t Lord Stathcona’s Horse be yellow?

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Clint Tauber

I have one more question, why are all of my tac signs white? It had the triangle, square, diamond, and I believe a circle at different times. All were in white. Shouldn’t Lord Stathcona’s Horse be yellow?

Clint,

There was a reason for different coloured squadron signs but I can't recall what they were. I don't know if the system was still in use after the War. I don't believe that individual regiments were allocated coloured squadron signs, but I'm always willing to be proven wrong.

While I'm here, I have to correct something I wrote earlier. The serial '5' in an infantry brigade group was allocated to the brigade reconnaissance squadron and not the armoured regiment. The armoured regiment was allocated serial '2'. Apologies for the error.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Clint Tauber]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Clint,

There was a reason for different coloured squadron signs but I can't recall what they were. I don't know if the system was still in use after the War. I don't believe that individual regiments were allocated coloured squadron signs, but I'm always willing to be proven wrong.

While I'm here, I have to correct something I wrote earlier. The serial '5' in an infantry brigade group was allocated to the brigade reconnaissance squadron and not the armoured regiment. The armoured regiment was allocated serial '2'. Apologies for the error.

Cheers,
Dan.

The pictures I have seen of Centurions from the 50’s show “41”, taken in West Germany around 1957. Others are marked “51” or “52”. I am beginning to think nothing is written in stone!

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Clint Tauber

The pictures I have seen of Centurions from the 50’s show “41”, taken in West Germany around 1957. Others are marked “51” or “52”. I am beginning to think nothing is written in stone!

Clint,

If you have a photograph of a Canadian Centurion with the serial '41' on an arm of service rectangle, or know where I could find one, I would very much like to see it. During 1957 the RCD was the armoured regiment in Germany. It was the year the brigade tank strength was increased from a squadron to a regiment.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Clint Tauber

The pictures I have seen of Centurions from the 50’s show “41”, taken in West Germany around 1957.

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

If you have a photograph of a Canadian Centurion with the serial '41' on an arm of service rectangle, or know where I could find one, I would very much like to see it.

The serial '41' was used by the reconnaissance regiment in an infantry division during the war. It seems that after the war when the recce regiment was superseded by an armoured regiment within the division, the same serial '41' was retained but on an RAC / RCAC arm of service rectangle.

Now you've piqued my interest!

Cheers,
Dan.