As most of you know is my main obsession French Shermans well I should say one of my obsessions really. From what I understand didnt the french get the tankers jacket at least is that what I gather the info I have gathered. Also havent I seen any picture that shows the tankers jacket in use. My knowledge of suitable figures is how shall I say "limited". Can anyone point me in the right direction to what figures that would be suitable for my french Shermans. I am not looking for a full crew but a figure is IMHO a nice way to show the size of the tank....The scale is 1/35 of course... Some of the figures below could perhaps be suitable?
Well the uniforms depicted are those worn up until the end of round one in May-June 1940. The french units that fought in 44-45 had more or less standard US uniforms.
What I need is a couple of good figures wearing WWII era US tankers uniforms except for the tankers jacket for that was not issued to the french forces. When the french did a "comeback" for round two where they supplied most everything by the US.Some use of french tankers helmet and berets (in the 501 RCC) and of course some french insignia but the rest should be american issue.
My my it must be close to 40 years since I saw these guys for the first time.The guy on the left would work at a pinch. The two guys in the middle are wearing the M 1943 jacket.I dont think that it was issued to the french. The guy on the right wears the tankers jacket so he wont do.
Post by barkingdigger on Sept 19, 2013 12:06:03 GMT -5
Hi - finally took the plunge and joined this site! All the images I've seen show French tankers in US-style tank suits, but often with a pull-over or a collared jacket open at the lapels (uncannily like a German uniform jacket!), as well as a mix of headgear. US tanker helmets, M1 steel helmets, forage caps, and berets are common, as well as the odd souvenir French helmet. And there's a disproportionate amount of pipe smokers!
Winter coats, tanker overalls, and the rib-necked jacket are absent from what I've seen.
Miniart has two sets of US tankers that would suit - the one already shown, and a "Close Combat" set. You could do head-swaps with that French set (and the guy in the pullover could be used as-is!), but for all that's holy stay well clear of that ancient Tamiya tank crew set! They are hideous lumps that don't look anything like the box art. Figures from some of Tamiya's more modern sets could be modified, including those in their "M4 Early" kit.
Post by barkingdigger on Sept 19, 2013 12:14:09 GMT -5
Hi - finally took the plunge and joined this site! All the images I've seen show French tankers in US-style tank suits, but often with a pull-over or a collared jacket open at the lapels (uncannily like a German uniform jacket!), as well as a mix of headgear. US tanker helmets, M1 steel helmets, forage caps, and berets are common, as well as the odd souvenir French helmet. And there's a disproportionate amount of pipe smokers!
Winter coats, tanker overalls, and the rib-necked jacket are absent from what I've seen.
Miniart has two sets of US tankers that would suit - the one already shown, and a "Close Combat" set. You could do head-swaps with that French set (and the guy in the pullover could be used as-is!), but for all that's holy stay well clear of that ancient Tamiya tank crew set! They are hideous lumps that don't look anything like the box art. Figures from some of Tamiya's more modern sets could be modified, including those in their "M4 Early" kit.
Hi - finally took the plunge and joined this site! All the images I've seen show French tankers in US-style tank suits, but often with a pull-over or a collared jacket open at the lapels (uncannily like a German uniform jacket!), as well as a mix of headgear. US tanker helmets, M1 steel helmets, forage caps, and berets are common, as well as the odd souvenir French helmet. And there's a disproportionate amount of pipe smokers!
Winter coats, tanker overalls, and the rib-necked jacket are absent from what I've seen.
Miniart has two sets of US tankers that would suit - the one already shown, and a "Close Combat" set. You could do head-swaps with that French set (and the guy in the pullover could be used as-is!), but for all that's holy stay well clear of that ancient Tamiya tank crew set! They are hideous lumps that don't look anything like the box art. Figures from some of Tamiya's more modern sets could be modified, including those in their "M4 Early" kit.
Hope this helps!
Hello and thanks a lot for your input. It seems to me that the M1941 or "Parsons" jacket was the most common outerwear. I will take a closer look at the "Close Combat" set.