Here's one for our Allied WW2 buffs. Anyone looking @ my workbench ATM would be suprised to see it's mainly British Bronze Green! I've been doing some old Tam kits of British kit, just for a change, & it's all due to you lot. I've got to say this dark green colour is growing on me, so much easier to shade than German 3 colour!! Now to the question - I'm doing the Quad & 25 Pdr, & don't want to use the transfers in the kit - I wanted it NWE, so they're no good anyway, since 7th AD guns were SP in Europe, not towed. The formation I've settled on is 53rd Welsh Div, I'm quite happy to handpaint this marking. So I'm going to use Arm of Service code 43, which makes it 83rd Field Rgt, RA. Now, there are white serials to be added to the sides, I know that a tractor should be prefixed H, but what about the rest of the 6 or 7 digit number? Any significance in the combination of numbers? Or can I get away with just making a "generic" one up from the available transfers? I've sludged about on the Internet, but can't find any photos.

Steve, the guy you need t o ask is Derek Barton (CommandPost). He'll know for sure, you could also visit his site.
http://www.ra39-45.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Vinnie

Thanks for that Vinnie, good site, very informative. Didn't answer the question, but that's my fault. What I'm asking about is registration numbers, not serials, my error. I've looked at some photos, but can't detect any plan behind them, were they just consecutive numbers, or related to unit, corps, or use in any way? I'd guess that the older the vehicle, the lower the number, but that doesn't seem to be born out by the photos (eg 6 figure number in late 1944, 7 figure one earlier). What I'm really saying is if I just make one up will it look wrong, as in "that couldn't be right it belongs on a different vehicle/theatre/whatever" (without getting to anal, as I'm not even sure 83rd FR operated Fords)? I'm aware that the prefix letter has a function (see above). My experience is mainly with WW2 German, where the number plates can be used to "date" a vehicle approximately.

Thanks Derek, that's a brilliant answer, couldn't ask for more!