Firefly tank

[Jack Geratic]

Thanks everyone, great job in figuring out the exact number sequence.

I don't think though the photo stills that I'm referring to, http://www.britishpathe.com/video/d-...an+perspective are an example of censored markings, as this was a film made by the Germans after the actions of June 7th.

regards,
Jack

[John McGillivray]

Here are the landing craft serials for SFR. Note that serial 1716 consist of one Sherman Vc, two Sherman III, two Humber scout cars, and 4 porpoises ; with three officers and 17 personnel.

Note that SFR was still training with Ram Tanks in late April 1944.

[John McGillivray]

I don't remember where I got this photo from, but it shows SFR with their new Shermans.

[Jack Geratic]

So can it be confirmed that no air recognition star was painted on the turret top or engine deck?

There is also this photo (which I think is "Chaser") and has what looks to be a white painted ammo box attached to the .50 cal gun. Was this some form of recognition?



Doesn't seem to be an isolated case either, as it seen on a FGH firefly nicknamed 'Death Takes A Holiday' and this photo:



regards,
Jack

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Jack,

The white painted ammo can was used in vehicles like the Fox armoured car where it was part if the internal stowage, hence the white colour.

Hanno

[tankbarrell]

That's a D68735 50 round .50 cal box. Sometimes seen in white, other times OD, both correct.

It makes sense if the white ones were from vehicles such as Fox but is that confirmed?

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by tankbarrell

That's a D68735 50 round .50 cal box. Sometimes seen in white, other times OD, both correct.

It makes sense if the white ones were from vehicles such as Fox but is that confirmed?

Fox ones are indeed white, but they are also unique to Fox. They were never meant to be used on the outside as they fed the M2 mounted through the turret mantlet.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by John McGillivray

I don't remember where I got this photo from, but it shows SFR with their new Shermans.

What a nice looking Sherman, all clean and unscuffed. Notice the trick with a single loose roadwheel inside the track to feed it smoothly onto the sprocket.

[motto]

They are removing the track from that Sherman. The driver is following instructions from the fellow in front and the road wheels are positioned so as when the end of the track comes of the sprocket it can be rolled out flat without locking into the section on the ground.
From my limited experience, the easy way to get a track on is to use another vehicle and a cable to pull it over the sprocket or return rollers. I wonder how these fellows did it?

David

[David Dunlop]

David.

I was wondering the same thing about them replacing the tracks, but there appears to be a small right rear corner showing of a 4th Sherman in front of that one.

Also what caught my eye was that the Sherman in the foreground is a different model from the two behind it. Note the lack of vision slots for the driver and bow gunner and the inside face of the open turret hatch is green, whereas the two in the rear show white inside surfaces. The lower front hull is also cast.

David

[David Herbert]

Good question about what they are doing with the tracks of the Sherman in post 16.

I agree that they are removing them but it would be far easier to do one at a time as you can still move the tank with the other track. Also it is normal practice to break the track under the sprocket as that way when you put it back on you can use a rope round the sprocket as a capstan to pull the track forward and when the teeth engage the top run of the track can be kept in tension while you re-connect the track. Done right on firm level ground it is not too much of a job for two people, the worst bit is getting the end connectors off, made worse by the fact that the proper tool was designed to fit Stuart too and is realy not man enough for Sherman track.

David (another one!)