Im trying to build a diorama consisting of the British SAS. But i was wondering what tanks the Brits used in North Africa. Also what other vehicles were used that they make kits for? Any help would be great. Thank YOu


Graeme

In 1/35 injection plastic, you're kinda limited:

Tamiya Matilda II
Tamiya Univ Carrier (although not the correct version)
Academy or Tamiya M3 Lee
Academy (to be released) M3 Grant, ancient Tamiya M3 Grant
Italeri Crusaders
DML Valentine
DML Bishop SPG
Academy M7 Priest
Academy and Academy M3 Stuart

If you're willing to venture into resin, many more options apply.

But I don't know of when SAS would have been with armored units -- very different modes of warfare you know.

Hi Graeme,

A couple you forgot Roy:-
Tamiya SAS jeep
Tamiya LRDG Chevy

Perhaps a more likely meeting than with armour.

Cheers
Kevin

Unlikely that they would be seen with allied armour. More likely italian or German Light AFVs such as Armoured cars, trucks etc. A 1/32nd scale Stuka makes a nice backdrop and their is the famous case of the capture of the German Doctor and his Pilot who landed their Storch to check out what they thought was an abandoned vehicle. With the forthcoming Tristar Storch you have another option.
Cheers
Al

Would the dragons MK III sherman qualify?

What about an M2 halftrack travelig cross country with the SAS. DLM put out a nice kit

In the time-frame, you have to refer to the LRDG (Long Range Desert Group) . Only vehicles used were light trucks, jeeps and anything of a low tonnage. The M2 H/T wasn't made available to the British until 1942-43 (rarely used as an APC either) and NEVER used with LRDG.

The Italeri 15 cwt truck would be an ideal vehicle to use along with those mentioned earlier.

Tim, in the markings it comes with no, in a suitable 26 AB set of markings then Yes, that variant served with 1st Army during the NA battles in Tunisia but was rarely seen in the 8th Army until after the confliuct. The kit markings are parade markings from a unit in training in Syria

Other kits which may work are:

Italeri 15 CWT truck
Italeri?Revell 6 pdr bedford portee

Cheers
Al

I'd think that the Tamiya Quad would be among the very first mentioned. Was it?

Only in the sense that the vehicle would be seen in that time-frame in the Western Desert. The Quad was only every used in one function - as an artillery tractor.

Could you give us some idea on what you have in mind?
The SAS in combination with regular british forces seems very unlikely.

I'd go with the SAS jeep and fe a KO'd german truck or similar.

See also:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Jeep_Man/sasjeep.htm