"Tank markings for LW British ... tanks?" Topic

I am starting to actually like plastic 15mm tanks!
So, I was going through the Flames of War books and came across some puzzling list for Armoured Reconnaissance that does not do reconnaissance. Huh? But it has Cromwells, an agreeably ugly tank that is in game turns a fast Sherman. I can also get Fireflies, and Challengers with a ROF 3 and a 17pdr. All with PSC kits, I think, or cheap Old Glory.
Plus, I can have Allied supporting platoons of US Airborne, which I do not have and will inevitably lead to me doing an American Airborne company next.

So, before I start, can anyone point me to a guide for the proper markings and/or decals for these beauties? I have no favorite British Armoured Division, so anything accurate will do.

Shame, John. I thought you were talking about Mark Vs.

For decals I can think of at least one manufacturer that has these covered. Ahem. Specifics varied a little by division (eg. the Guards had a thing for putting tactical signs on the hull instead of the turret), but all theoretically followed the same pattern, which was:

Serial number 45 (denoting an armoured division's armoured recce regiment) on green over blue background (denoting recce, although they tended to be used as a 4th armoured regiment.)

Bridge weight markings as appropriate for the vehicle – black numbers on yellow discs normally, although occasionally variants were known, most often replacing the yellow disc with just a circle, leaving camo colour in the middle. Numbers were approximately the vehicles loaded weight in tons, but weren't entirely standardised. That said, 15 on Stuarts and 27 on Cromwells was usual. Firefly was normally 33 (but see note later) and Challenger either 33 or 40. (The latter apparently because there was no bridge class between 30 and 40 anyway, so they just rounded up to the bridge that could carry it.)

Tactical markings (diamond for RHQ, circle, triangle and square for the three squadrons) normally on the turret sides, but smaller and on the hull for the Welsh Guards. In white, which was used for non-brigaded regiments.

Divisional badge for whichever armoured division they belonged to.

Dom.

PS – Note that armoured recce regiments started getting Challengers as the fourth tank in each troop from about September '44. Prior to that they just had three Cromwells per troop, with no 17 pounder tank. The units that had Cromwells and Fireflies were the three armoured regiments (ie. normal tank units, not armoured recce) of 7th Armoured Division, who got Cromwells instead of 75mm armed Shermans like everybody else. Those were marked as normal for armoured regiments, so red background for their serial numbers, and turret markings in red, yellow and blue for the three regiments, not white like the armoured recce boys.

PPS – Battlefront actually have a pretty good primer on British markings for Normandy (and beyond – the unit numbers didn't change between D-Day and VE Day, although obviously more units can be added to the list later on.)

link

Thanks, Dom. very helpful.
And when I buy the tanks, I will ask you for advice on where to get the decals.

I have no favorite British Armoured Division, so anything accurate will do.

Everyone knows, 11th Armoured were the cool kids…

Taurus persuant!

John, try getting a copy of english version of "The British Soldier, D-Day to VE day", Volume 2 (volume 1 = infantry) by Histoire & Collections. ISBN 2908182742
TBH both volumes are well worth getting.

I'll second that – volume 1's interesting, but not what you need – more of a general interest purchase. Volume two is the business though – better than Fortin's British Tanks in Normandy even.

If you have a Scribd membership you could try this:

link

I've got 'British Tank Markings and Names' by B T White which seems to cover everything up to the end of 1945', you are welcome to PM any questions and I can have a look through.

I'd second 'you know who' as a source for decals, we've bought loads for both aircraft and 15mm ww2.

Paul

And I highly recommend Dom's decals. They are a steal and terrific to work with.

I, too used Dom's decals for my British units – Welsh and Coldstream Guards.

Dom's British tank names sheet has the correct names to do a large unit from the Coldstreams – including the Panther, "Cuckoo".

Wyatt