Rommel vs Monty (North African GB 1941-43) Jan. 1 - Aug. 31 2014

SMJ - your kit (and it's decals) are for the American version, but it looks you want to depict a Sherman as it appeared at El Alamein?   If so, only the British had Shermans at this battle, and there are some differences in terms of stowage, in particular the characteristic turret bin and sandshields.  

regards,

Jack

stikpusher:

Thanks for the pic's...I added 'em to my folder for this build!

jgeratic:

Here's the kit...I haven't looked at the instructions/paint schemes/decals yet...but you've piqued my interest!  I'll check it out over the weekend.

SMJ - which kit of the Sherman do you actually have?  Dragon put out a couple British versions geared  for El Alamein, one even had 9 decal options - I wonder if these were garnered from Starmer's research and his involvement with this book:

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Wayne - I've no definite answer of where to stow the ladder and ramps for the Bedford.  I figure they'd just throw them on the platform when on the move.  Definitely would keep them with the vehicle, as the gun was intended to be used on the ground, unless circumstances prevented it's deployment properly.

regards,

Jack

i'm in with the 1/35 italeri 4x4 BEDFORD truck/portee maybe with a 6ib AT gun from another kit in the bed. the onstructions show the bed ladder and 2 ramps in the unload position. does anyone know where they were stowed in the travel positioon?

No worries SMJ. While the background may be good as to color and some terrain types (there was 60 miles of front line IIRC, so terrain varaition is in order), the Shermns on there are more in a 1943 production model. Here are a few shots of the real deal.

stikpusher:

Thanks for watching my back on the accuracies.  Your correct about the GIF thing, I think the picture is from "World of Tanks" or something like it.  I choose the photo mostly for the diorama/base and the "correct-ish" tank in the setting.

I'm going to dig the kit out of the stash and review the paint schemes/dates etc. for accuracy.  I  may need your expertise again so stay tuned ...thanks again, it's great having knowledgable WWII folks on this forum.

Dont trust that image. It looks like somebody's inaccurate computer made up GIF. The M4A1 DVs at El Alamein were from the earliest production batches- Narrow M34 mantlet without the collar, M3 suspensions, sand shields, and British mods such as water can racks, and attachment points for the "lorry" disguise..

stikpusher

SMJmodeler

Time to go research El Alamein for diorama/ base ideas

Sand and rocks.... rocks and sand... take your pick... 

That didn't take long!  Check this out!!!

udel09

If there is still room I have an old Tamiya Matilda MKII I have been looking to build

Yes, it doesn't start until Jan. 1.

The Caunter scheme was mentioned earlier, so thought I'd post a link to this film.  It's a field workshop in Eqypt near the end of 1940, with workers using both brushes and spray guns.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060033073

regards,

Jack

If there is still room I have an old Tamiya Matilda MKII I have been looking to build

SMJmodeler

Time to go research El Alamein for diorama/ base ideas

Sand and rocks.... rocks and sand... take your pick... 

Eric, speaking of Pz III's, mine will defiantly be the Tamiya Ausf N

Tigerman:

I'm officially in!  Put me down for a 1/35 Dragon-U.S. M4A1 DV Sherman.

Time to go research El Alamein for diorama/ base ideas

Just my 2000 lira- figs otta count in this deal. Lets call it the sweaty armpit GB.

Ernest, that is quite a list to chose from - I'd better think up of some more desert badges for the future

I'm in the same boat - all I know is it will be either Italian, British or German.  Even then I've got close to half dozen choices for each one.  So what do I do, I ordered myself a Tilly.  No, don't put me down for that just yet, but have decided it will be 1/35.

regards,

Jack

Glad to have you aboard Don. Love Pz III's.

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

Boy Ernest, tough choice for sure.

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......

Bump.

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?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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...

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.

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.