Exactly that for a SCR-694 (BC-1306). Stik’s photo came from a 1963 USA TM which I believe used a different radio set.
richs26, apparently you have confirmed the TM Stik used was dated 1963, so it would be Vietnam era not World War 2 and would have a different radio set… If that is the point you are making I agree. However, let’s not overlook the fact the picture Stik posted does not have coiled wire cables and yet I know we had coiled wire cables on radios during the Vietnam War because I saw them.
Remember the Vietnam War spanned 14 years for the United States, but the conflict began November 1, 1955. U.S. Congress declared our involvement in the war was officially from 1961 to 1975, but we know the U.S. started out as advisers. By 1964, there were 23,000 U.S. troops in Vietnam. This escalated further following the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident. We also know the war ended for the U.S. and it’s Allies with the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. My point is technology changed over that long time period.
I also see what Stik is saying… He said and I paraphrase, the coiled wire (cable) came into effect somewhere between World War 2 and the Vietnam War and I believe he is right. His point was not lost on me that I used a coiled wire that was not in use by the U.S. military until more than 20 years later. It may be a small detail, but details are what Fine Scale Modeling is all about and that’s why I believe we love this hobby.
Yup, my point was to show the old straight cables that were in use before the coiled type came along. Especially in regards to the headset. That image was the best one that I could find.
I found what appears to be the historical event that sent Sherman tanks of the 9th Armored Division to Bastogne from Neufchateau.
The following information is an excerpt from Blood for Time:
The Retreat to Bastogne:
With its primary mission now canceled with the destruction of Task Force Harper, Team Booth weighed its options of either defending in place or heading for Bastogne. Lt. Col. Booth’s outposts had reported the presence of enemy armor on the Bourcy-Noville road and a platoon of the 52nd AIB discovered enemy units to the west, northwest, and south. Based upon all available information, Booth estimated that his team was up against at least one armored division. On the morning of December 19, Booth decided to move what was left of his team plus about 100 stragglers, even a few from the 106th Infantry Division, to Bastogne.
Lieutenant DeRoche, after turning five of his Shermans over to Lt. Col. Harper, led his small force toward St. Hubert where they found supplies of fuel and ammunition. After stocking up, the DeRoche force proceeded to Neufchateau where General Middleton had relocated his command post. Once in Neufchateau, DeRoche located Captain Walter M. Meier, who was busy gathering and regrouping retreating CCR men and armor. After acquiring DeRoche’s small force and a few others, Captain Meier called 9th Armored Division headquarters in Mersch and received permission to take his force into Bastogne.
Captain Meier’s force, like most of CCR, 9th Armored and 28th Infantry Division soldiers and tankers retreating from the roadblock battles, eventually made it to Bastogne. However, many other retreating soldiers never made it, having fallen to the gauntlet of sporadic enemy artillery fire, snipers, and engagements with concealed enemy infantry and tanks. Men and armor retreating into Bastogne from the battles that preceded the arrival of the 101st Airborne Division continued to stream in throughout the day with valuable information concerning German deployment and strengths.
These retreating soldiers and tankers were not, despite some postwar accounts, a bunch of dispirited, demoralized, and undisciplined panic mongers. The great majority of these men had given it their all. They came through the 101st defensive lines having had very little sleep or food for three days and in almost constant battle with an enemy that not only had the full advantage of surprise but was also far superior in numbers, the quantity and quality of its armor, and in its battle experience. The personnel of CCR, 9th Armored Division who managed to make it to Bastogne and regroup were able to assist the 101st Airborne Division by acting as either mobile emergency relief strike forces, armored support for the lightly armed paratroopers, or direct infantry augmentation to the defense line.
After the war, General Manteuffel wrote: “On the whole the delaying action of the withdrawing American Army was a success. It slowed down the German advance, though it could not prevent the pursuing German spearheads from coming within 4 km from the Meuse near Dinant without any major engagements. But the resistance by delaying actions gained the time needed to bring up their tactical reserves at the correct moment.”
Ready to apply Archer Fine Transfer decals. The registration number will be 20305148-S, and bumper codes are 9 [triangle] for 9th Armored Division, 149-S for 149th Armored Signal Company and on the other end of the bumper 007 which will be the vehicle number. Thanks to richs26, stikpusher and Pawel for help with this information.
The Jeep, figure and radio look excellent! Will you be applying the shovel, axe and other tools, or have the doughs stolen all of them? Can’t wait to see the finished product.
Thank you M1GarandFan, yes I plan to include all the normal equipment except a tow bar. I wanted to get the decals on before I attach the more delicate items, so I don’t break something.
Harold
Yes. I understand completely. One of my biggest problems is always the assembly order which never follows the instruction sheet. About the last things I add to my tanks is the tracks, tools and radio antenna. What you’re doing is working!
John
Stik, I’m ready to start on the M4A3, but have a few questions about the 9th Armored Division camouflage, dust-shields/fenders, and T-23 turret (76mm).
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What colors are used in this camouflage?
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Is there netting over the camouflage, or is that netting pattern on the side of the hull in the second photograph above part of the camouflage paint?
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In the photograph above it’s clear the camouflage paint comes down over the dust-shields/fenders. So assembly of my model requires the dust-shields/fenders to be glued on before I prime the hull… Is that correct?
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The turret in the second photograph looks like a later T-23 with an oval loaders hatch, but the photograph I’m building the diorama to represent (first photograph) has a split loaders hatch and the 76mm cannon, so that’s how we know it’s an early T-23 turret… Is that correct?
Harold
Both photos show the split loader’s hatch (2 sections) so they are both early T-23 turrets with the 76mm, and no muzzle brake with just the thread protector. The chicken wire is over the paint. There is also chicken wire over the front glacis.
Thank you richs26… So, the solider we see in the second photograph is in the loaders hatch?
I found this picture of camouflage used by the 9th Armored Division, do you think this is accurate?
Sergeant, I’ve got that same picture on p.63 of my Squadron Signal, WWII U.S. Sherman Tank in Action book. It purports to show the 9th’s 3 color camo with black and a lighter green over the standard O.D. The matting is Sommerfield matting welded to strips on the hull. I’ve never tried it, but I think using some tule (available at Walmart and sewing and craft stores) would be a decent substitute for the matting. Some of the other guys here on the site may have a better solution to modeling that particular material.
John thank you, for confirming the camouflage and name of the matting, which I agree with richs26 looks like chicken wire. I found some interesting examples of nylon net fabric and micro miniature expanded metal in addition to tulle that could represent Sommerfeld matting on 1/35 scale models, please see photographs below. I also calculated the opening of 1/35 scale Sommerfeld matting would be approximately 1/8" (3.175mm) or less.
Sarge, it looks like most of your questions here have already been answered. As for the particular shade of green applied over the OD along with the black, it is called “Light Green”. It is the same color as Interior Green used on US aircraft cockpits and today goes by the FS# 34151.
The Army had 12 standard colors (including OD) that were supplied for use on vehicles to better blend with local conditions. In Italy, colors like Sand, Earth Yellow, or Earth Red, as well as White counter shading, were often seen on US Army vehicles. In Nothern Europe, Black was the most commonly seen color. Other colors included Forest Green, Loam, Field Drab, and Earth Brown. Many of these same colors would be incorporated into the 70’s era MERDC camo colors.
Oh wow I had no idea about the Sommerfeld matting until now. When I saw it in photos I just assumed it was chicken wire 'liberated’ from French farmers… [:S]
WOW, JUST WOW!!!
Is this a clear case of collective knowledge at work or what? Great job, gentlemen!
The finished work is gonna be a stunner, I’ll bet [Y][Y]!
Carlos, thank you for the information about the light green paint and 12 standard Army colors, I never heard that before. One of my questions was answered accidentally when I went looking for material to represent Sommerfeld matting. Now I know the matting needs to go on before the dust-shields/fenders and other delicate parts so I don’t break something.
Harold
Gamera, you may know this already, but the Sommerfeld matting was designed by a German engineer living in Britain called Kurt Joachim Sommerfeld. The matting was originally called Sommerfeld Tracking, nicknamed Tin Lino (linoleum) and used extensively by the RAF and USAAF for creating landing strips in soggy farm land of Great Britain.
Harold
I have a couple of books by Steve Zaloga on US Armor camouflage and markings. The colors are listed there, along with information on how they are recommended to be used. I’ll try to get more information from the books posted on here later on if you’d like.
Yes please do… One question I have about the 9th Armored Division camouflage is the density of the black and light green paint. It looks like the paint was sprayed on casually without concern for how well it covered the olive drab. My thought is the colors were intended to represent the foliage and shadows in French and Belgium farm lands so a tank would blend in with the hedgerows. But then I realized most of the tanks at that time had tree branches and shrubs attached to the Sommerfeld matting, so maybe it was more of a paint availability issue or time needed to do the painting?