Sorry for the specificness of this question, but does anyone out there know if the British Columbia Dragoons used Bren Gun Carriers? and if so are there any good threads on them or on vehicle markings and such? Thank you very much.

Trev

Hi Trev,
Heres my take.
The Dragoons being an Armoured regiment would have been made up of primarily Sherman ( V, III, and possibly Firefly) Headquarters Sqd. would have been where you may have found a Bren but I have my doubts.
The bren gun carrier was considered an infantry weapon to be used in support of advancing troops. I think if you went to the Canadian Archives ( online) and searched for BCDs or Bren Gun carrier you might get a bit more info.
Does the Regiment have a website? You could ask the regimental historian, maybe there might be something there...Also try www.armouredacorn.com....
While researching some info on the Seaforths I found some bren shots but thier an infantry regiment.
HTH
Peter ( the guy from martins...)

I don't know about Canadian units, but one Osprey book I have on Guards Armoured division bears out what Peter wrote. Besides the tanks the only vehicles listed on the table of organization are 15 CWT trucks, 3 Tonners, Scammels, 1/2 tracks, motorcycles, Jeeps, scout cars, and AA Crusaders. No Bren Carriers. Of course these tables only show what equipment SHOULD be on hand. They could very well have scrounged a B.C. if they had wanted any.

While Peter and Rodger are right for 1944 and later incarnations of the regiment, in 1943 the BCDs would likely have been equiped with Universal Carriers (not Bren Carriers, btw) in the Recce troop. By the time of action in NW Europe, the UCs had been replaced in the Recce troops by Stuart Vs and VIs and soon the turrets of these vehicles disappeared as well.

However, if you want a cool looking BCD UC, then a brown Mk II from 1943 is a perfectly good thing to make and the SCC2 brown with SCC1a dark brown overspray camo would be relatively unique looking in the usual field of allied green on display. Pair it up with a Ram Mk II or a Lee and you have a really cool little vignette.

If this is inviting, we can then help out on markings and the like.

Paul

Paul, thanks for the info. You're right I was using a divisional layout from '44, and saw Stuarts etc., but no brens.
Thanks for clearing that up
Peter

Paul thank you very much. I am very interested in doing a UC from 43. If I was to do BCD's in 43 it would have to be italy I think? anyway thanks very much

Hey Trevor,
I just posted a reply on your vandalized Finescale posting.
Give me a call, I'm in the book.
I've got some BCD markings if you want to trade or swap.
Cheers

jjumbo

Ah, now here's the rub. While I'm not sure, I think the regimental organisation would have changed prior to going to Italy. The units were being re-equipped with Shermans from Rams immediately prior to going overseas and I think (again, not sure) that the War Establishment would have changed at that time. I think the UCs would have been on strength while in the UK but not afterwards.

And the Brown scheme is cooler looking anyway! :-)

Paul

Trevor,

Heres a site that gives the Canadian Army's Order of Battle.

www.armouredacorn.com/orbatsmain.html

Cheers

jjumbo

Hey thanks for all the replies, sorry I did not than k you guys earlier but I have been away and very busy. Anyway thanks for all the help. I love this site, I had almost forgotten how much. + =