So what is it ? Tail lights on shermans either just left upper red in light or are both!!!! I am being told left but keep seeing it both. thnaks Bob

The tail lights for US vehicles have remained very similar even up to present day. The upper left tail light (oval sort of shape) is a red light and works like the brake/tail light on a normal car. It glows red when the service drive is on and gets bright when the brakes are applied.

The right tail light upper lens is the black out drive brake light. It operates only when the brakes are applied. It is a dim white light.

The long, narrow lights under the brake lights are the black out markers and used to determine the proper distance between vehicles.

So essentially top left paint transparent red, the lower slits and top right 'transparent black', for want of a better description...
So what are you building, Bob?

If you see more than what Robin says, then it's most likely a "civilian-ized" restoration -- modern road usage would require red on both corners.

The black appearance can be confirmed by looking at any wartime vehicle's Tech Manual -- I know I confirmed it on the Jeep TM when a guy who had bought a retired M38 jeep swore that his twin red lights were correct. But again, he bought it from another restorer....

you will have to for give me if this is in the wrong place. I am new to this site. I am an avid Shermanholic. I keep seeing some great modelers say one light and then I see both done. Right now I am doing a M4A2 from Formations. I really do appreciate the response!! Thanks again Bob

I am really sorry but they keep asking me to register and I have about 100 times!!! What do I do!!!!!!!!
Did you get my first reponse?

I get the same problem every time I want to make another posting or reply. It's getting to be annoying!

Most likely a bad cookie. Best bet is to log out, delete any kitmaker cookies and then log back in. Update your book marks with the new site info.

Most of the experts will tell you just the upper left lens. You will see both done because way more folks assume they both are red and build it accordingly.

Left Tail-light:

Right Tail-light:


Hope that helps.

Helps me! Thanks!!

Gary :-)

In addition to what Dave posted, here's a little reference on why they're set up that way along with a closeup of both lights, in this case on a Jeep. Text explains why they are that way, and the links for Left Hand and Right Hand show you the lights themselves.

http://members.aol.com/brimiljeep/WebPages/JeepNamePage.html#BlackOutLights

Neat site Bill,Thanks

Great reference picks and links. Notice how the red light can look very dark depending on the light conditions. One of the lights I purchased (real cheap) for the metal face, left side, still had WWII lenses installed. 6 volt and still worked, and covered with a thick layer of OD paint. A WWII tank crew I talked to had to replace all the lights on their tank because a paint crew painted every thing, including their personal bags, on their tank while it was under going an engine over haul.

:-) :-)
:-) :-)

I bet they had OD tools also..... "that's for sure-that's for dang sure" :-) :-)

I bet they had OD tools also..... "that's for sure-that's for dang sure" :-) :-) [/quote]

Dave,
Probably! They were still angry about it 40 plus years later

I want to thank you all for their respnses!!! I have tried to post before and have had trouble. I hope it will all work out now. Thanks again for the expert answers!!!!!!!!!!! Bob