Hi All!
I found this color combination on Bison's #35061 "British Sherman Mk.II in Africa". It's attributed to two tanks from the 9th Queen's Royal Lancers and one from the Queen's Bays. I looked at the British Pathe reference film clips and the reference stills in Concord's "British Sherman Tanks", particularly the photo at the bottom of page 7. The film clip and the stills suggest this interpretation might be possible if blue-black does show up darker than dark green in a B&W photo. I also spent an hour or so combing this forum and didn't find any other specific reference. I did find two reviews of the decals and neither reviewer commented on the accuracy of this particular combination. I do have one of Mike Starmer's documents which say that G.O. 1650 allowed this combination but all the info I've found says only Dark Green goes with Desert Pink. On the other hand, I haven't found anything that says this combination WASN'T used. I don't have any other references in my meager library so I'm asking for your assistance. Was this color combination a reality from actual practice or is it simply Bison's interpretation of the film clips and stills? Thanks for any comments you might have.

John

I did a lovely Pink and Blue LRDG truck a decade or so ago, but then the Kiwis had all the fun.

There are no real conventions, I do recall seeing an article about either a Sherman II or a Crusader in pink and blue black livery, including photos... so do what ya like. Unless you're competing with it no one will be the wiser, and most likely not even then.

Hi John,

I have the Warpaint series of books and they are excellent. You can go right ahead. Dick Taylor has fully documented that SCC 11B Desert Pink can be disrupted by SCC 7 Olive Green, SCC 14 Black, or SCC 1A Very Dark Brown. The book has all the charts, orders, and outstanding color camouflage diagrams for all theatres the British operated in.

Whilst they were authorised schemes it does not indicate that they were used. In particular the 9 Lancers vehicles were painted by higher sorces prior to the Alamein Battles and were in DP and Green which has been very well documented in a number of publications and people such as Peter brown have uncovered the official diary entries covereing this. I'd recommend his excellent article on 8th Army Shermans fromMilitary Modelling magazine Vol 32 No 10 August-September 2002. The particlur GO states that the other disruptors are to used only if the Green is NOT avaialble. The Mike Starmer Areticle on these Shermans in IPMS (unsure of UK or USA) Journal of 2002 issue 1 covers in in great detail. Drop me an email at [email protected] if you want extracts.
Cheers

Al