Tigerman,

I'd like to join this one!  I gotta' check the stash to see what would qualify...I'll get back to you soon!

SMJmodeler

hey SMJ, long time no see - do hope you can join us on this one.

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Alrighty, badge with the jeroboa and swastika:

As mentioned, I already had some thoughts on these emblems earlier, so the work was mostly  getting those ideas onto the screen.   The overall badge would perhaps work better if the rat image would be mirrored (ie facing left) and located on the right half portion  to tie in with Monty attacking westwards.  This marking though is always depicted with the jeroboa facing right.

I introduced the tank silhouettes into the logo to save space, and their facing emulates the offensive directions of the axis and allied forces (well except for the Torch landings - I'm prepared this time - lol).  The elements are not all that detailed, but this will lend better when the badge is shrunk to one's size preference.

regards,

Jack

Those look good as well Jack. I will be perfectly content to use either design once I have completed my build. I know the historical record.

"it's only a model"

That's neat looking, Jack.

Agreed, both are great badges.  I don't know which one I like better.  

Eagle90

Looks great Jack- think I prefer the first one though.

Welcome Steve. Glad to have an another awesome build come from you.

I can't make up my mind on the badges.

Glad to see you back Steve.

Why not got with both badges Eric. I like them both but I think the second just has the edge for me. I like the tank silhouettes.

Gents,

I need some HELP!  I checked the stash last night ( and was reminded of how historically inept I am) Here are  the kits I "think" would qualify: 

35105 AFV Club-U.S. M5A1 Stuart

6404 Dragon-U.S. M4A1 DV Sherman

9037 Dragon-Sherman Firefly Ic Hybrid Hull

35244 Tamiya-U.S. M26 Armored Tank Recovery Vehicle

Can someone please let me know which one(s) (if any) qualify... and/or are definately DIS-qualified.  Thanks

My on the badge thingy: Both are AWESOME!...I like the two badge idea, it gives us a chance to pick our fav' and it also gives those who build TWO entries a second badge!

Early M5s saw service in North Africa, but very little, the M3 was the most common US light tank used there. I would have to go check my references to see if the M5A1 was there. The M4A1 DV is a definite yes. First introduced into combat with the Brits at El Alamein in October, and then a few weeks later with US forces in the Torch landings. The composite hull Firefly Sherman is out. Both of those versions (any Firefly, or the composite hull) did not see service and action until 1944. As for the M26 Dragon Wagon- that is a good question.

I agree with offereing both badges, let the builder have a choice.

stikpusher

The M4A1 DV is a definite yes. First introduced into combat with the Brits at El Alamein in October, and then a few weeks later with US forces in the Torch landings.

I was hoping this one would qualify...thanks!  I'll wait to find out if anyone will chime in on the Dragon Wagon.

i like both of them.  the second one would stand out more in a pile of badges but i would agree with "have both and let the builder decide." still haven't decided on a build but leaning toward the italeri BEDFORD 3T truck (portee) w/ or w/o tamiya 6-pound AT gun or peerless max CMP truck with AT gun.

SMJmodeler

stikpusher

The M4A1 DV is a definite yes. First introduced into combat with the Brits at El Alamein in October, and then a few weeks later with US forces in the Torch landings.

I was hoping this one would qualify...thanks!  I'll wait to find out if anyone will chime in on the Dragon Wagon.

Not sure if this is very reliable, but I checked Wiki and it says the M26 entered service with the US Army in Europe in 1944.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M25_Tank_Transporter

A little online looking says no on the Dragon Wagon. Development was started in 1942 and it did not enter service until 1944. If you have the Tamiya kit, look on the instruction sheet. They usually have a short history of the vehicle on there.

stikpusher

A little online looking says no on the Dragon Wagon. Development was started in 1942 and it did not enter service until 1944. If you have the Tamiya kit, look on the instruction sheet. They usually have a short history of the vehicle on there.

I forgot about the Tamiya Instructions...I always read those prior to a build, it's a nice little history lesson.

It looks the Dragon Wagon is out though.  Thanks guys. 

Yeah, by the process of elimination, your M4A1 is your only viable candidate. Mind you it is a very good one. It was the first Allied tank that was equal to or superior to any of the Panzers on the battlefield when it made its' appearance at El Alamein.

As a side note I love those Tamiya vehicle histories. The older ones that had the TO&E charts for the user units as well were superb.

I confess to know next to nothing about the Africa campaign, although a relative served there. Now I'm doing some reading and found this first on Wiki:

"The Second Battle of El Alamein took place over 20 days from 23 October – 11 November 1942 near the Egyptian coastal city of El Alamein, and the Allies' victory marked a major turning point in the Western Desert Campaign of the Second World War. It followed the First Battle of El Alamein, which had stalled the Axis advance into Egypt, after which, in August 1942, Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery had taken command of the British Eighth Army from General Claude Auchinleck with the use of a Cumberland sausage."

Can anyone explain to me the meaning of that last sentence???

Got me. Gott was originally meant to take over from Auchinleck, but was killed when his plane was shot down on route to Cairo. But I can't find anything about a sausage of any sort, let alone a Cumberland one.

well the only thing i have found even closely related is a vulgar male  usage often used to describe montgomery. how is that for being obvious but discreet?

will pick up a couple more poppys on monday and a couple friends and i are already reading WW1 stuff (or rereading). i volunteered to give a WW1 presentation to my ipms club. i have some ideas, only

have 1 hour, doesn't  have  to be model related. i have some ideas but all suggestions are welcome.

So this is weird....

(cue Twilight Zone music)

I went back to the Wiki article, the purple colored one in my history window....

and the reference WASN'T there!

Now I know I didn't make this up, because the link to Cumberland sausages was the very next item on the history.

Rommel's ghost is out...

What was the Wiki article about. I found one on Gott, one on Monty and one on the 8th and none of those made a mention of sausages. And Cumberland's are a very specific type of sausage.

Well the visual of the cumberland sausage is in the form of a spiral, (ie one single link).  Could be an abstract metaphor/reference  to Auchinleck's 'spiraling' out of favour with Churchill and upper military?  Or that Montgomery arrived on the scene in a roundabout way, as initially he was to lead the British forces for the Torch landings, but ended up in Egypt to lead the offense from there?

....  but no, I've never seen that food reference before.

As for the badges, glad to see you like them.  I'd hold off on a final decision as some others might come up with something that could trump what I have offered.

regards,

Jack

GM, the North Africa campaign is a great reading subject. So many good books to read and research from, depending upon how in depth you want to get. If you want to read about the US participation, Rick Atkinson's "An Army at Dawn" is an excellent read.

Eric - Glad you decide on the N.Africa GB - Likely build a Pz IV Ausf. D - new 1/35 Dragon kit from last summer .... Armor86

GMorrison

"...Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery had taken command of the British Eighth Army from General Claude Auchinleck with the use of a Cumberland sausage."

Can anyone explain to me the meaning of that last sentence???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_sausage

Pterosaur is rumored to taste like shicken.

Dan, thanks my friend, and glad to have you. yes, I've been itching to get this GB under way for some time. I'm glad to see the enthusiasm. I think this is a sort of forgotten theater of the war. The Eastern Front gets all the pub. I'm blown away at all that Rommel accomplished under adverse conditions. Just think if Hitler gave him more support?

Bump.

I just checked the stash Eric!  Quite a few possibilities for this one!!  I could do:

Pz. I Ausf B

Pz.II Ausf. F

Pz. III Ausf. F, H, J, L

Pz. IV Ausf. D, E, F2,

SdKfz. 251 Ausf. B, C

Semovente M-40 75/18

M3A1 Stuart

M3 Stuart "Honey"

M3 Lee

M3 Grant

M4A1 Sherman

Crusader M.III

Choices, choices......

Boy Ernest, tough choice for sure.

Hello Tigerman, if there is still room please add my name to the list.  I've got the DML Panzer III J, kit 6394, that can be built as 1941-42 DAK vehicles.  Thanks.

Don