"The Caunter Camo scheme, Brits in N. Africa, 1940" Topic

People,
Anyone know the dates where the Caunter scheme would be prevelent in the theater? I'd heard that it was phased out around the time of Battleaxe and that the new Crusaders and Stuarts for operation Crusader didn't have it, but that research wasn't clear there.

The reason is I'm planning a Crusader-operation force of Brits, tanks infantry, etc, and want to get the right look.

'Erb

Well … I don't have specific dates (which surprised me, I thought I did), but the expert on British paint schemes is Mike Starmer. His series of books include:

The Caunter Scheme 1940-1941
Alamein and After 1942-1943
Sicily and Italy 1943-1945
…

Since the second book starts with Alamein in 1942, I would assume that the Caunter scheme was official in 1940-1941, and that some time during 1942 but prior to Alamein the Caunter scheme was phased out, and a new one instituted.

I do not know if the Brits repainted tanks int he new scheme once it became official, or if unit by unit this was slowly implemented, or perhaps, only tanks that went in for repairs got sa new coat of paint while there.

Also,just checked my Osprey British Army (2) and there is a nice b&w photo of the 1st RTR on 27 Nov 1941 showing a bunch of Matildas and some trucks in the background, and everything is in Caunter scheme. Caption says this armor was part of Operation Crusader.

But, that's Matildas and trucks. Can't say for sure about Crusaders and Stuarts, I'd have to go hunting for photo evidence : )

For Operation Crusader the majority of British tanks will not sport camo. Between the cancellation of the caunter scheme in early 1941 and the Alamein scheme in 1942 commands were allowed to paint their own disruptive schemes. Most accurately dated photos for Operation Crusader show Valentines, Matildas, and Crusader 1s in plain sand. However, it seems that most Honeys and the Matildas of 42nd RTR were painted in a two-colour straight edge disruptive scheme that seems based upon the same principles of Caunter, but with different colours.

Now, having said that, Caunter is pretty on the wargames table, so have it (and vehicles would have sported it until repainted at a convenient time). I would also urge you to buy the Starmer book on Caunter, it is the best and most accurate reference available.

Some of the old junk (A10s etc) in 7th AB would probably still have been in Caunter as well. The majority of the cruisers were plain sand though.

yes, I have the Starmer book, but it doesn't really give guidance about when to paint it on specific tanks and their formations.

And since it sounds like the commands were allowed to make their own variations, it seems like it is a bit "up for grabs" when it comes to interpreting how our tanks will look on the table. Which is fine.

I tried to find out a bit more about this a while ago -- specifically the Honeys of 3RTR. I think these honeys were plain sand, but the 8th Hussars in the same brigade seem to have had a caunteresque scheme on their Honeys.

May models are here link which some caunter links at the bottom of the page.

There are some dates and info here which may help

link

Excellent info Black Bull. Many thanks!

Great looking AFVs and intell ! Thanks !