D-Day and Beyond (Completed!)

 My previous post showed work in progress of a Sherman tank I had put together for my WW2 Canadians so I could use them for later war (1944-1945) games as well as their originally slotted Dieppe Landing setting (1942). Here's the finished effort, though I will ask for your forgiveness right off for the quality of pics - I took them at my in-law's house and the only decent light was "sunlight", though that was either 110 degrees blazing and causing shadows, obscuring details outright, or under a sun-brella. So you get sun-brella. 

Back to the main topic. 

I did a little research after I wanted a tank that was present at D-Day and who managed to live a little longer than your average Ronson. What I came up with was this little beaut' called "Holy Roller", a tank that survived through D-Day (There is another, but I thought this one was a cooler name) and made it all the way through to the end of the war! It's now on display in Victoria Park in London Ontario, Canada, which I think is very cool. Of course, the model kit I have is the wrong Mark of Sherman, but it'll do. I also couldn't possibly get the bloody name and serial number free-handed on correctly, which irked mightily, but felt it was better to leave it off altogether than have some ham-fisted effort ruining an otherwise decent looking Armoured Fighting Vehicle.

Hope you like, here's the pics!

The actual tank in London, Ontario. Looks pretty darn good for a 77/78 year old lady.

As you can see, both "Holy Roller" and the serial number are flippin tiny! No way I'd be able to paint those on, sadly.

And here's my version of the venerable tank. The weathering looks way more pronounced in person, mud effects sponged on and weathering pigments gents dusted over prior to a final flat varnish.

One important marking I "was" able to get in was the Squadron marking on the turret - a handy decal and free-handed number "9" inside.

Everyone loves a booty pic

This thing now sits frustratedly in a tub. Who knows when it'll see the light of a gaming table? LOL

I was not at all happy with how I had the driver originally positioned, he was sat too high up. So I hacked away at his lower chest and now he sits far more believably and I'm good with it.

Decals shown are all from the tank kit by Warlord Games. The bridge weight and red unit badges were excellent. The 2nd Canadian Armoured badge though was a bit rubbish - the blue stripe that's supposed to intersect the top and bottom black behind the yellow maple leaf barely shows. I'm in two minds if I'm willing to try to paint the blue in so it stands out more?

And that's it for now. I've already moved on to a new project, completely different from this one, going back to a Warhammer 40K feel, though this time, scenic! 

Stay safe out there you lot and O, Forza Italia!