1953 M37CDN Paint Complete

[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.

[Clint Tauber]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

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.

A good one is the video on YouTube, “The Big Picture: Canadian Army Salute”, it shows a close up of the back of a Cent in Germany with “41” on the flash. “41” was also on the Shermans used in Korea if I remember right?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Have you guys seen the "Vehicle Markings - Canada 1947" book Rob Love has that explains a lot of this? There may have been changes in the 1950's and this manual obviously predates the M series Dodges but is quite helpful.

[Clint Tauber]

Here is an update.

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Clint Tauber

I have one more question, why are all of my tac signs white?

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

Have you guys seen the "Vehicle Markings - Canada 1947" book Rob Love has that explains a lot of this?

Thanks for reminding me about that. Rob sent me a copy two years ago but I forgot I had it.

According to Appendix 'G' the following colour rules applied to the tactical signs (circle, square, diamond etc) for armoured regiments within a formation:

Senior Regt - Red
Second Regt - Yellow
Third Regt - Blue
Fourth Regt - Green
Fifth Regt - Brown
In unbrigaded units the sign will be painted in White.

Unfortunately the pamphlet does not give the serials for the units.

Cheers,
Dan.