Hi guys,

Does anyone have any info on which Sherman models the Three Rivers Regiment used in and around Regalbuto on Sicily in july 1943? The grandfather of one of my acquaintances served in one and was wounded there. The family doesn't know which type of Sherman it was.
Another thing: Does anyone have any info on the markings for the Three Rivers Regiment, and can one buy decals that would be appropriate?

John

John, this link should bring you to a photo of the Shermans used by the Regiment

http://www.ww2incolor.com/canada/Sherman+tanks+of+the+Three+Rivers+Regiment_+Canadian+Tank+core+lined+up+for+inspection_+at+Lucera_+Italy_+1943.html

A Google search will bring you to a page with the marking which was a square with a blue top tan lower and the numbers 174 in white. Hope that helps.

Hey John,
Ultracast does a set for Shermans with the Three Rivers Regiment.
I'll have to check my references but, IIRC, they used the Sherman V.
It's also possible they used the Sherman III and I.
Cheers

jjumbo

For a Canadian Sherman on Sicily you need an M4A4 (Sherman V). There are a number of options in Kits depending on budget but my recommendation is to get the Tasca Kit (no 35-016) but if that is to expensive then the DML orange Box M4A4 is OK but has T48 track where as all the canadian ones I have seen from the MTO had T 62 tracks. The old DML individual links are no longer included but I'm sure asking round forums or clubs will result in a set for postage as they are a cow to assemble.
As part of 1 Can AB, markings are available from Ultracast and should be an Aos of 174 in White on a Blue over Brown square (Horizontal split) with a Yellow maple Leaf on a Black, Red Black square (Horizontal demarcations). British AFV Flashes were worn in Sicily which were Red, White Red Vertical Demarcation like the current national flag. These were worn on the hull sides central aligned with the lower edge; rear plate central aligned with the top. Sqaudron Markings in Regt Seniority colours (Yellow for 3 Rivers)were carried on the turret with Tp numbers in White and a Black background filling the shape. The 3 Rivers also repeated this on the central panel of the transmission cover. As far as i can ascertain Tp number was sequential in the regt e.g 1-5 in A Squadron, 6-10 B etc.
I'd recommend finding a copy of Armour Color Gallery - Camouflage and Markings of Canadian Armoured Vehicles in World War Two Part 2 - (ISBN 978-83-60672-09-9)

I'd also recommended visiting the Armoured Acorn website although I noticed a deiscrepency in the markings info for the 3 Rivers example shown and the Book despite being the same Author. Cat of 12 Tp 3 Rivers is given as an example on the site as Ontario Regt but as 3 Rivers in the Pic on page 14 of the Book.
http://www.armouredacorn.com/cvm.html
Good Luck
Al

Hey John,
This site will be of help.
Cheers

jjumbo

Thank you guys,
this is great stuff. Now I need to find out if the family knows the tanks name/number!

John

John,

Here's another great open-source reference:

http://www.armouredacorn.com/Reference/CVM/CVM10to19.htm

Scroll down to "Part 16: Canadian Army Tank/Armoured Brigade in Italy, 1943-45" then go to page two for the Three Rivers Regiment examples.

Mr. Beldam's "Armoured Acorn" web site is a fantastic first stop for researching any Canadian armor modeling project.

HTH,
Mike