Model Armour

Frerik, Karol, glad you liked them!

Frerik, I'm trying to find more info on the unit really -- tank names, markings, etc. and any specifics on the tanks they used.

Cheers,
Ian

Thanks Ian,

I have enjoyed your narrative and the pictures that are very special not being of the propoganda variety, but ones showing people living in a war theater. The picture of the great war leader himself in his pith helmet is wonderful and as Chris said the 'shovel recce' brings back many personal memories of my own service.

Thanks very much a great read.

Aye,

John

Ian I would suggest that the Tank Museum might be interested in pictures like these as living history and might be able to assist with more information on the unit service.

John

Hi Ian
Nice pic's .
My Dad served with the RAF after the war & He was posted to Egypt & He kept saying how cold it used to get in the Desert at night so it was interesting to see the pic of the guy's wearing there greatcoats. Usually pic's are of shorts & shirts.

Shaun

Hi Ian

I am just seeing these photos and this reference for the first time, its a really interesting story and something I have often trawled MA archive to read up on.

Thanks for bringing it back into the light again and the Diorama too, both are really interesting pieces and the new Sherman will be a worthy addition

Your comment on your Father-in-law's father being very quiet about his war, I think is very very common. My maternal Grandfather spent 5 years in the Artillery in India and there is very little of this time in either stories or pictures, my wife's father was both a Russian conscript at 14 and then a prisoner of war and again very little in the way of a picture or story other than his massive fear of anything Russian or even Socialist as he was from "Little Ukraine" which was very German facing from the early days of the USSR.

My Uncle was the exception being the winner of the Military Cross in Italy in 1943, but even then, it was always the fun, nice stories, not one word of the 2 years in a prisoner of war camp after being captured

War is hell and those who are involved have been damaged if not by bomb or bullet by what they have seen, heard or experienced.

I know some people think that modellers glorify the exploits of war but it has never been that for me, and I sure many others. I just love the history and attempting to make something out of plastic and brass and other media to represent what I have seen read about or heard stories of
I guess in an earlier age I would have been whittling wood or bone, or molding clay or mud or drawing a burnt stick over a cave wall

Thanks for sharing Ian, sorry for it being belated, it has sparked some of my own memories of long past relatives for me, a pleasant moment of reflection

Steve H

I must have missed this one for a loong time. A great read along my morning coffee,very nice photos too

Hello Ian,

I missed this one too!

Great story and great photos! There must be loads of untold stories out there and many photos stashed away in private photo albums that unfortuneately will never be seen.

Thanks so much for sharing the story and photos from your own family. They really are special


Woody...

Blimey, it's over 2 years since this was originally posted! I'm glad people are still finding it informative and thought provoking

Cheers,
Ian

That's only one of the huge advantages we have over printed magazines Ian!

Vinnie