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Hi… I’m hoping someone more knowledgeable on British Shermans can help me. I have an Asuka Sherman M4A1 mid-production (35-010) in my stash and I’d like to use it as a basis for a County of London Yeomanry Sherman II; looking at references though, the CLY seemed to use late M4A1s with M34A1 gun mounts and later differential covers. I have the gun mount and differential cover in my spares box, so my question is, are there any other features that would need updating beyond adding British aerials and extinguishers, or would I be better just sourcing a late M4A1 kit? Thanks in advance, Roger

Dear fellow Britmodellers, this is IBG'S 1/72 Cromwell Mk.IV (C-Type Hull), in markings of the 6th Airborne Armoured Regiment, 6th Airborne Division, operating in Normandy in summer 1944. Painted with Mr.Hobby acrylics, photos by Wolfgang Rabel. I added resin tracks and wheels from Tank Models (TM72030), stowage from Modell Trans (MT72062) and photo-etch antenna socket from Dan Taylor Modelworks (C-76081). The mud is real dirt from the garden, mixed with white glue and pigments and applied to the hull with a bristle brush. Weathering with pastel chalks, graphite pen and artist oils. Thank you for your interest in this topic, best greetings from Lower Austria! Roman

Good morning. I wanted to reproduce this picture as a diorama: source photos: magazine Normandie 44 Number 20, copyright 2016 This photo was taken on July 31, 1944 at a place called La Lande des morts, between Roncey and Saint Denis le Gast, south of Coutances. I went there to get an idea of the place: The place has changed, and the house has disappeared. here is what the war correspondent photographed with his back to the vehicles: source photos: magazine Normandie 44 Number 20, copyright 2016 and today: The apple trees on the left were replanted at the beginning of the 21st century, and the water from a small spring in the meadow on the right looks red, because there is scrap metal buried in the ground. However, one of my friends brilliantly performed this scene: wonderful, isn't it? I had a Hummel kit, I wanted to reproduce this episode from Roncey's pocket. And I said to myself: what if I represented the scene BEFORE the battle? So I looked for information. This German column was destroyed on the night of July 29 to 30, 1944. At the head there was a StugIII and a Hummel. This photo was taken before the Hummel was pushed to the side of the road after the fighting: source photos: magazine Normandie 44 Number 20 p76, copyright 2016 Here is the story: The Americans launched Operation Cobra on July 25, 1944; A consequent bombardment upset the German lines (The Panzer Lehr Division was wiped out), then the US mechanized units rushed straight ahead. The Germans no longer had a front were partially surrounded to the south of Coutances. The remains of several divisions have clustered around a village called Roncey. During the night of July 29 to 30, three German columns left this village devastated by aerial bombardments. One of them called "Müller" had in mind a Hummel followed by a Sturmgeschutz, and these two tanks were assembled to make a "schwerpunkt". During the night progression, the stug overran the column to bypass a US road block, then resumed the progression by the planned axis. This explains why it was stopped at the head of the column at La Coucourie a few moments later. The story is set, here is the construction. The scene takes place at the end of the afternoon of July 29, 1944; the Germans wait for the night to be able to move without fear of the jabos. I tried to reproduce the camouflage stripes of the Hummel called Klauzewitz: the fern material comes from my garden: bryoflora collected at the foot of a tree. I fix it with white glue and and I paint in Humbrol 80 with an airbrush. Most of the figures are multi poses of Caesar Miniatures. I carve them and modify them with a mixture of cyanoacrylate and talc powder . There are also some Preiser figures, one or two Hasegawa: There are forty figures in all on this diorama. I wanted to represent the crowd of trapped soldiers. And the result: the roads are very narrow in the Normandy countryside. Garden side: there were SS of the Das Reich, paratroopers, soldiers of the Werhmacht, of the anti-air defense of the Luftwaffe... more than 2500 men, hundreds of vehicles. ...But the "elite" troops did not mix with the army! The painting of the figures was a bit repetitive at times, especially the realization of the oak lef pattern camouflages of the SchutzStaffeln. But I'm happy with the result! street side: I "recycled" a Sturmgeschutz III Revell that I had removed from another diorama. The motorcycle is a BMW: this episode of the Battle of Normandy is less well known than that of Falaise, however the entire western German flank collapsed for lack of soldiers and organized units. last for fun: and for those who doubt my sanity, I assure you that my doctor is holding up well! Regards, Eric-Snafu35

Right chaps, I'm a bit stalled on the 43, so much scratch building that i feel that I need to do build something a bit less challenging. I've selected this little beauty, one that my very good friend bought me a few years ago, Longshanks, so take a bow fella I know you've been waiting to see this get done. After my holiday to Normandy I'm a bit inspired to build something that would fit in with the trip. Next to no AM will be hurt in this build but I'll do some light scratch work just to work things in my own way. I built a Sherman back in 2016 and really enjoyed the build so this will be a second WW2 build for me. A Small amount of AM, nothing too serious (At this point), Its more so for the crew. Shall probably make a start over the weekend, Panic ye not, I'll be back on the 43 after this but I feel I need something a bit straight forward for a week or so. Regards Dan

The Falaise Pocket - Normandy August 1944 ISBN : 9781612007274 Casemate Illustrated - Casemate UK There is no doubt the Battle for Normandy was worse in some cases than the allies expected, though by August 1944 while the Germany Army was still managing to hold back the Allies there was some turmoil in its ranks, and the cost of the defence was great in resources that they just could not replace., it was not helped by the fact that the allies had all but gained air superiority over the battlefield. German Army Group B was unable to contain the allies with the Americans advancing South & East, while at the same time the Canadians & British were advancing South. Field Marshal von Kluge was refused permission to withdraw by Hitler, instead he was ordered to counter attack. This only made the situation for the Germans worse, in fact they became enveloped by the Allied advance. Montgommery saw what was happening and ordered the allied armies to converge on Falaise, which they did surrounding 50,000 German troops. While many of these troops would escape, many would not and the losses of equipment was a massive blow to the Germans as they just could not replace it. This book in the Casemate Illustrated series combines text, pictures, and maps to bring us the Allied Assault, and the Germans defence. The book goes into details of the planning, and execution from different commanders on both sides. There are profiles of the tanks, vehicles and aircraft which took part. The book is A5 in format, 120 pages long and contains many contemporary photographs. Conclusion If you're interested in the war in the last hurrah of the Germany Army on the western front and how/where the Germans counteroffensive failed this is a good read. There are plenty of photos and profiles for the modeller. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

German Armour In Normandy ISBN : 9781612006437 Casemate Illustrated - Casemate UK To say the invasion at Normandy was a surprise to the Germans would be an understatement. The Allies achieved what they set out to do when the troops landed on the beaches on the 6th June 1944. The Germans threw all they had into the defence and this was really show at first with Caen. Here the 7th Armoured Division suffered at the hands of German Tiger Tanks. However the following strategies from the Germans failed to capitalise on this with the Allies breaking out in July. This book in the Casemate Illustrated series combines text, pictures, and maps to bring us a look at German Armour operations in Normandy. The book goes into details of the planning, and details of German Armour movements, mainly focusing on the 10 Panzer divisions which took part. There are profiles of the tanks, tank destroyers and assault guns which took part. The book is A5 in format, 128 pages long and contains many contemporary photographs. Conclusion If you're interested in the battle for Normandy, and in particular the role of German Armour in the defence this is a good read. There are plenty of photos and profiles for the modeller. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Finally finished; after only eight months! In fairness though I had to move house half way through. Diorama depicting members of the 2nd Bn, The Royal Ulster Rifles loading German prisoners into a CMP 15CWT during operations around Caen, late August 1944. Vehicle is the Italeri CMP model, British figures are a mix of resin and Dragon figures, German figures are by Masterbox. Diorama is scratch built. Water is done using Woodland Scenics Water effects, which hasn't quite fully cured yet. The leaves were done using a leaf stamp from Green Stuff world; excellent product. Hope you like it; I'm bloody sick of it at this stage! :)

Spitfire IX The Longest Day (2125) 1:72 Eduard Dual Combo Limited Edition When the prototype Spitfire took to the air for the first time on 5 March 1936, few involved could have foreseen where the development of the type would lead. By the end of the Second World War, the type had earned itself a place in the history books as well as the nation's psyche. One of the ultimate Merlin powered variants was the Mk.IX. The Mk.IX was a response to the appearance of the Focke Wulf Fw190, which proved itself more than a match for the Spitfire Mk.V. Powered by the two-stage supercharged Merlin 61, the performance of the Mk.IX was a quantum leap over its forebears, enabling the Spitfire to meet its German foe on equal terms. By the end of the War, over 5,600 Mk.IXs rolled off the production line at Castle Bromwich. This kit contains two full kits from Eduard's excellent 1/72 Spitfire range. There is the Spitfire IXc which we reviewed here, and the Spitfire IXe which we reviewed here. This boxing contains all the plastic and PE from these boxings with the addition of new decals featuring 6 aircraft which all flew in the Normandy campaign with invasion stripes on them. Also in this boxing (not pictured) is a pair of resin beer barrels for MK329 which famously carried beer into France. Decals As well as featuring two kits in the box this kit contains decals for 6 aircraft (4 x Mk.IXc & 2 x Mk.IXe), these are printed by Cartograf so they should pose no problems at all. There are also two sets of Eduard's own stencils. The Options are; Spitfire Mk.IXc, ML214, No. 126 Squadron RAF, Harrowbeer Air Base, June 6th, 1944 Spitfire Mk.IXc, MK924, flown by F/Sgt Michal Murayda, No. 302 Squadron, Chailey, June 1944 Spitfire Mk.IXc, MK892, flown by F/Lt. C. H. Lazenby, No. 222 Squadron RAF, Normandy, June 10th, 1944 Spitfire Mk.IXc, MH819, No. 310 Squadron, Appledram Air Base, mid June 1944 Spitfire LF Mk.IXe, PL124, No. 312 Squadron RAF, June 1944 Spitfire Mk.IXe, MK329, flown by W/Cdr J. E. Johnson, CO of No. 144 Wing, June 1944 Review sample courtesy of

101st Airborne in Normandy ISBN : 9781612005232 Casemate Illustrated - Casemate UK I would think a lot of people are now acquainted with the 101st Airborne from the excellent Band Of Brothers mini series. The "Screaming Eagles" were raised/activated in 1942. The idea of Paratroops was new at the time and the Allies were playing catch up after the success of German operations. The Division would go on from Normandy to fight in Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and be the first allied troops into Berchetsgaden and the Eagles nest. This book in the Casemate Illustrated series combines text, pictures, maps to bring us the 101st's operations on D-Day and the following battle for Normandy. It looks at the initial chaotic start to the completion of their mission to secure the vital beach heads. From there it follows their advance into Normandy itself with the attack and Caretan to then face a counter attack by the German 2nd Armoured Division. The book goes into details of the planning, and execuation of their mission and subsequent actions until they were withdrawn to prepare for the ill fated operation Market Garden. The book is A5 in format, 128 pages long and contains many contemporary photographs. Conclusion If you're interested in the 101st Airborne, and in particularly their actions in Normandy this is a must read. Highly Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Sherman Firefly Diorama; finished at last! Ever get one of those projects where you think you'll never end? Anyway, based on an incident from Ken Tout's book 'Tank!', (highly recommended), where three Germans who hadn't had rations for days surrendered on the promise of army biscuits; they must have been desperate. Bocage country, Normandy, July 1944. Not completely happy, but it was either this or my sanity.

Hi all, I could not find any section here regarding books so I post it here. I am looking for a good book that covers the events from DDay until the end of the Normandy battle. A general overview, so to speak. Not too brief, not specializing in tank warfare, but providing detailed accounts of the major events. Best with photographs. Can anyone recommend something like this? Ingo ps: written in English would be no problem

Sherman Firefly project. Figures finished. The Germans are captives, and so looking a bit glum. The Brits are captors, and so looking a bit smug. Base colours, (uniforms, equipment and flesh), were done with the Vallejo model colour series, highlights and shading done with oils. By the way; I know that one of the prisoners has a stick grenade tucked into his boot, and I know this would be immediately confiscated by his captors, but it looked way to cool to remove so I'm leaving it.

Its important to let your models know whose boss, and nothing says 'obey me' like a head on a pole. ☺Nearly finished painting the faces for the Sherman Firefly project. Base colour was done with Vallejo flat flesh, highlights and shading done with oils. On now to do the bodies.

Calling the vehicle done on the 1st. Northants Yeomanry Firefly project. On to the figures now, and then the diorama.

UPDATE 3.7.17 THIS RFI IS 'UNDER RECONSTRUCTION' THANKS TO PHOTOBUCKET. COMMENTS AND PHOTOS DO NOT NECESSARILY PAIR UP, BUT ALL VIEWERS' COMMENTS AND MY REPLIES REMAIN. HOWEVER, I HAVE DELETED SOME OF MY RAMBLINGS WHICH ARE NO LONGER RELEVANT. . This was my first diorama after a 35yr hiatus in model-making and I was quite pleased with it at the time. I finished it before joining BM and therefore before I realised how 'poor' it was in comparison to the best in BM. Soon after joining, I decided that I was going to re-build this dio, replacing the figures with those contemporary with the Normandy landings, improving the buildings and replacing the Tiger with one I have yet to build. So this diorama no longer exists. The building on the right has been removed, as has the entire front edge of the dio. I will get round to 'up-grading' everything at some point in the future, but I am currently deeply engrossed in constructing my 'ever evolving diorama' and this is going to take me another year at least. In the meantime, here's how the dio appeared in its then 'finished' state. Prizes to those who can spot the pair of discarded boots. TFL Badder

The Normandy Battlefields Bocage & Breakout From the Beaches to the Falaise Gap Casemate UK When many of us think of “Normandy” we automatically think of the battles on the beaches. This however was only the first part of the story. Once allied forces broke out from their beach heads they faced a three month long battle in the French countryside which would result in over half a million casualties. The fighting in the infamous bocage countryside, around the import town of Caen; and upto the strategic port of Cherbourg was heavy brutal fighting which culminated in around 100,000 German Troops being cut of at the Falaise Gap. This encirclement resulted in approximately 10,000 German casualties, with a further 50,000 German troops being taken prisoner. The book deals with the important aspects of the breakout into Normandy; The Cotentin & Cherbourg The First Army in the Bocage The Battle for Caen The Breakout Brittany The Falaise Gap The Aftermath. The book is 192 pages long in A4 format with all pages in glossy print. There are no pages without photographs, and many of these are in colour where possible. Not only are there war time photographs but contemporary ones to show what the areas look like today, and to pick out areas of historical interest. There are many wartime photographs which will be of interest to both the modeller and the history buff. Maps are used to illustrate the battles along with specially commissioned aerial photography which brings home how difficult it must have been rather than just looking at maps alone. Conclusion. I have now had this book for a little while and must confess that once I started reading the book the review has been delayed, as I wanted to give it a proper read through. This was worth the wait as the book is an excellent portrayal of these events following the landings in France. Very highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Three Days in Hell 7-9 June 1944 Heimdal Publishing The Normandy campaign of 1944 is probably one of the most documented areas of WWII. This new book from Heimdal concentrates on one part of the Normandy landings for a period of 3 days after the landing the 7th to the 9th of June 1944. The area concentrated on is the Canadian landings and the subsequent advance into Normandy which was quite bloody. The book makes valuable use of testimony from both sets of combatants, and the local French population who were caught up in the fierce fighting with no where to go. The book offers a degree of completeness not offered in some publications through the use of this testimony, plans of the battles; and photographs (wartime & contemporary). Also of interest is a short section at the beginning of the book which shows what life was like before the 6th of June for all those involved. The book is A4 softbound with 160 pages featuring maps, colour and Black & white photographs. Conclusion This is primarily a history book covering these 3 days and the fighting between the Canadian and the Germans. It covers this excellently and the addition of testimony from the local French population shows how hellish it must have been for all sides. The photographs will be of some use to us modellers as well. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of

This was something of a themed build, begun in 2014 in acknowledgement of the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings. One of their early kits, representing the half-fabulous initial high-altitude variant. A few were issued to FAG.123 at Guyancourt, with the thankless task of providing adequate photoreconnaissance cover of the Normandy area in the weeks following the invasion. Significantly increasing an aircraft's wingspan and area (and this was little more than two plugs inserted between the existing G-5 wings and fuselage) rarely works well, and this was no exception. The aircraft was only present for a brief time, being ostentatiously left outdoors in the hope that the Allies would take care of it. 'Oh Heinrich, you make me shudder' one Luftwaffe airman is said to have remarked. I am unsure about the historicity of some of the details, but the camera setup of the G-5, with a tall fin of the final variants, and a longer tailwheel (not needing so much AoA on takeoff), along with the removal of all guns bar the engine cannon seemed consistent enough, along with the overall RLM76 scheme. I hope you like it. http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http:// http://

Kicking off with my first AFV Club Churchill Mk IV with Mk5, L/50 6pdr Gun for this build Unit information TBC

Ok guys, I'm a newbie and I've just returned to model-making after a gap of 35yrs. I thought I'd join this site and post some pics of my recently completed diorama of a Tiger 1 and panzer grenadiers advancing along a street in a village somewhere near Villers Bocage, June 1944. Yes, I KNOW the tank is way too dark! I did a nice camouflage pattern on it, but then overdid the wet-brushing and decided I quite liked it as it was. In some lights the pattern does show up more. But my main aim was just to complete a model. I must admit, I had much more fun with the diorama, which I built from scratch. I will detail the tricks I used. I hope you like the diorama. Don't be too hard on my painting of the tank. I've bought another one and will do a much better job on that one! Anyhoo, here's a few pics! Comments, questions, tips welcome!

Finished at last! This is a Plastic Soldier Company 1/72 Firefly Vc built out of the box with a little added stowage. I've set it in a little diorama/vignette with some PSC British Infantry to add a bit of interest. The Firefly is finished with Vallejo paints and Mike Starmer decals representing a vehicle belonging to B Squadron, Staffordshire Yeomanry, 27th Armoured Brigade. Thanks for looking. Cheers Dave

Here's yet another Armourfast Sherman III. Again this one is built out of the box with the usual additions. I came across more reference material part way through the build, that's why this one is covered in camouflage netting This Sherman III belonged to 13/18 Royal Hussars, 27th Armoured Brigade, Normandy 1944. The deals again come from Mike Starmer's excellent range. Thanks for looking. Cheers

Afternoon chaps, Now it has most certainly been a while since I have posted here, after having a break from modelling over Christmas. However, while getting back into the routine I have managed to bash up this old thing It's the first model I've made in a couple of months and the first I've made with clear parts/transparencies so the windscreen didn't turn out as I expected. It is also the first model with the "Wet Mud" effect using filler, brown acrylic paint and Klear. It is built completely OOB apart from some additional extras in the trailer found in the Spares Box. The next thing I'm building is a J-35J Saab Draken and a LCVP boat Specs: Willys Jeep With Trailer (USA) 1st US Infantry Division Normandy, France 6th June 1944 D-DAY Here she is Sorry if the pictures aren't up to scratch in quality, they were taken on my new iPad but they're alright I guess Thanks for looking fellas please comment with improvements etc. ~Dylan

This is an Armourfast M4A2/Sherman III. A very quick build which is followed by as much or as little detailing or upgrading you want. With the quick-build you do get a lot of simplified or absent detail, but with a bit of patience and a few bits and pieces you can get a satisfying conclusion. The tank's been finished as 'Balaclava' belonging to the Regimental HQ, 13/18th Royal Hussars, 27th Armoured Brigade during the Normandy campaign. Once again the decals come from Mike Starmer's range. The tracks have been detailed with some Evergreen channel section glued to the flat track pads. Lifting rings were added from thin wire and light guards from mini staples. The stowage is mostly Value Gear and the crew are white metal figures from a number of sources. The base is a sheet of thin plywood covered with a layer of green Oasis foam sealed with a textured PVA mix. The grass is a static grass with a few added grass clumps and flowers. Thanks for looking. Cheers Dave

I shall be building a Landing Ship Tank Mk.2 (LST) which supplied troops and vehicles to the beachhead and Mulberry harbour Not built one of these before, especially scratch build, so I shall be muddling learning as I go along. The model will be populated with various AFV's from L'Arsenal's range of vehicles and accessories. Mike Plans and styrene sheets ready for the start. Selection of representative vehicles - quite nice and detailed for 1:350 scale