Sad tale behind this tank, an M4A3 76 of 12 RCA, 2e DB. This never did get as far as Paris alas. The commander named it after his brother, recently killed in action. Days before the Liberation of the capital it was hit multiple times by a German 37mm AA gun and then wrecked as the driver reversed it up a steep bank, into a tree. The poor commander had his head out of the turret to fight effectively, but was hit by a shell. The only photos of this tank are then a series of the wreck being progressively stripped, but every image shows the engine covers opened and that inspired this work, on a Dragon 1/72.
If I was doing it again......I would do the engine bay better, it is too narrow and not sufficiently detailed. I thought it would be largely invisible.
The ultimate in modelling of this AFV in a diorama is seen on the 2e DB French site and also here;
It's a great build, with the engine visible. Rémy did a great job, and yours is just as great. Thank you for making us enjoy and for the photos which are always superb.
Regards, Eric-Snafu35
_________________ "L'opacité du récipient rendant les tricheries possibles, n'oubliez pas que Dieu vous regarde!"
Liam M Flood Brigadier
Messages : 278 Date d'inscription : 21/02/2021 Age : 70 Localisation : North Yorkshire, UK
Thank you. I think this site gets far fewer visits, but I will continue to try.
The work of Remy was incredible. I used his model to understand what I was seeing in the photographs. I had not realised there were three jerricans on the glacis for example. I cannot agree about the 50 calibre all wrapped up on the back of the turret. It makes no sense going into battle. Every photo shows the 30 removed and I will bet the 50 too. Its magazines are scattered all over the glacis and ground.
My next project came today in our postal service.
An M4A4. Ah, 2eme DB did not have any I now learn.
Weep
OK. My first attempt at a unit from the South! 1e or 5e DB......Braillestrike will help me from Belgium
Lun 06 Sep 2021, 12:02
