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M4A1 Sherman - “Goldie” 3rd Battalion, 66th Armoured Regiment, 2nd Armoured Regiment Normandy 1944 This was my project for the M3/M4 Sherman, Single Type Group Build down in the Group Build Section. On 9th June 1944 M4A1 Sherman Tank 'Goldie' was part of the 66th Armoured Regiment that landed at Normandy. During the landing it was fitted with wading gear but this was removed shortly after it arrived. A week after arriving the 66th was part of the 2nd Armoured Regiment and took part in the 'Battle of Bloody Gulch' which took place near Carentan. The German forces in the battle were made up from the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division and 6th Fallschirmjäger Regiment. American forces consisted of the 501st, 502nd and 506th, Parachute Infantry Regiments of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, reinforced by the U.S. 2nd Armored Division of which 'Goldie' was a part. The German forces were decisively defeated during the battle and the American victory led to the linkup of forces from Utah and Omaha beaches, creating a secure area for further American operations. The headquarters of the German forces during the battle was a manor house in the area and the American soldiers nicknamed the road running past the manor "Bloody Gulch" after a place mentioned in a popular western movie. I have modelled my version on how 'Goldie' may have looked travelling across the countryside on it's way towards Carentan. Kit: 1/35 Eduard/Tasca Paints: Humbrol, Revell, Citadel and Railmatch Acrylics all applied by brush Extras: Tank figures set from Dragon , stowage items from AFV CLUB, Tamiya and Dragon, plus Towing Cable wire kindly supplied by @modelling minion Base: MDF, filler, Woodlands Scenics mixed turf and various tufts from Army Painter. The fencing was made from wooden coffee stirrers and the signs are from Matho Models WIP: Here Vignette photos: Here Edit: The idea behind the scene: One of the things that bugged me while I was making this project was that the tank commander figure seemed to be smiling - it just didn't seem to fit with the idea I originally had. So I tried to think of things that might have made him smile on the way to battle over the fields near Carentan. I have made scenes before where I have used road signs to indicate the location and then it dawned on me I could make the scene as if one of the crew had been sent to check out what the road sign on the other side of the fence said - but, rather than reading it and reporting back, he's broken it off and is carrying it back. In my head the crew member next to the Sherman is saying "He said report back...not bring it back!!...." This was a thoroughly enjoyable project made in a great GB. It was the first all Armour GB on Britmodeller and the hosts @Sgt.Squarehead and @Ozzy were very attentive and supportive. Thanks must also go to everyone who took the time to comment or offer advice in my thread. Kind regards, Stix