Trooper Ekins's Firefly

[Folkbox1]

I'm very new to the concept of after market goodies but have had an ideal I'd like to follow through. In my stash I have Tasca's Firefly Vc (with cheek armour) and have purchased a couple of Osprey books on this tank. I have been reading up on the clash in which Ekins fired the shot that killed Michael Wittman and would like to dress this kit up as his tank. Any idea if decals are available for it?

the tank was in No 3 Troop, A Squadron of the 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry in the British 33rd Armoured brigade.

Cheers

Darren

[daz greenwood]

Well with new research we now know it wasn't Trooper Ekins who killed Micheal Wittmann, but the Canadian's.

[Derbyeomanry]

Theres a three part documentary on youtube featuring Villers Bocage and Wittmans subsequent demise - well worth a watch. Canadinas were nearest and more likely to have got him.

Neil

[Folkbox1]

Well with new research we now know it wasn't Trooper Ekins who killed Micheal Wittmann, but the Canadian's.

Theres a three part documentary on youtube featuring Villers Bocage and Wittmans subsequent demise - well worth a watch. Canadinas were nearest and more likely to have got him.

Neil

Whether Ekins did or did not kill Wittman, knocking out three Tigers in short order is still some feat and I still would like to portray his tank. I have checked the box and one of the decal options is for a tank in the 33rd so should have a least some of the correct decals

Edited April 20, 2010 by Folkbox1

[Derbyeomanry]

Whether Ekins did or did not kill Wittman, knocking out three Tigers in short order is still some feat and I still would like to portray his tank. I have checked the box and one of the decal options is for a tank in the 33rd so should have a least some of the correct decals

Couldnt agree more! Hope yoy find the markings youre after. Do Bison do them?

Neil

[Ivan]

If you're OK with printing your own decals or have a decent stash of spares:

AoS would be 152 (or 52?) on a red square, Brigade sign would be green over black diablo.

(Disclaimer: Info taken from Armoured Acorn, which has been known to be wrong occasionally.)

I think that 33 Bde might have used large tank number callsigns too so you'd need to find out which number it was.

Actually, scrap all that and look for Bison decals BD35011 which has the markings for: Sherman Vc 'VELIKYE LUKI' of Northamptonshire Yeomanry, France August 1944 (the tank credited with knocking out Tiger "ace" Michael Wittmann)

From an old review of these it looks like a white A Sqn triangle on the turret rear with the number 3 in white to its left.

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/revi...son/bd35011.htm

Edited April 20, 2010 by Ivan

[davidelvy]

I also agree. I watched the recent documentary in which credit was given to the canadian sherman. I don't think this took anything away from Ekins who gave an impressive display of how effective the 17 pounder was even at long range.

[Folkbox1]

Thanks Ivan, I had a look at Bison but didn't see this sheet, I'll investigate later. Don't knonw how to do my own decals, can it be done on an ink jet printer?

I've discovered that Dragon's 1:72 firefly includes the decals so if push comes to shove I'll do that as well

Darren

[Ivan]

Thanks Ivan, I had a look at Bison but didn't see this sheet, I'll investigate later. Don't knonw how to do my own decals, can it be done on an ink jet printer?

I've discovered that Dragon's 1:72 firefly includes the decals so if push comes to shove I'll do that as well

Darren

Hi Darren,

It looks like the Bison sheet is no longer in production I'm afraid so it's the DIY route by the looks of it unless you can find someone with them still in stock.

You can use an inkjet printer and any graphics program, just make sure you get white decal paper for inkjets - I get these sheets:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Inkjet-water-slide-d...=item19b4ec7e03

(You'll need white, not clear.)

Layout your decals in strips across the sheet starting at the top and just cut off that strip then you'll be able to reuse the sheet next time.

Once you've printed them and let the ink dry, give them a few coats of clear and let that dry thoroughly before cutting them out, making sure you trim right to the edge to avoid a white border.

Have fun, it's quite rewarding really.

Edited April 21, 2010 by Ivan

[Folkbox1]

Thanks for the tips. I shall investigate further.

Darren

PS I have ordered some of the paper to have a play (now I hope the printer still works and the ink hasn't run out)

Edited April 21, 2010 by Folkbox1