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Tank Gallery 23

The following Photographs and information have been donated by Battlefrontmodels Customers over the years they range from basic to customised RC tanks and vehicles to heavily modified models.

All images and data are copyright to the Members and BFM

' Sherman Firefly '

Sent in by

Peter Symonds of Nottingham UK

The Sherman Firefly was a British WW2 variant of the American Sherman Tank fitted with the powerful British 17 pounder anti tank gun as its main weapon. Origionally conceived as a stop gap until future British tank designs came into service, the Sherman Firefly became the most common vehicle with the 17 pouder in WW2.

Though the Britsh expected to have there own new tank models developed soon (and were loath to consider using US tanks). British Major George Brightly championed the already rejected idea of mounting the 17 pounder in the existing Sherman. With the help of Lieutenant Colonel Witheridge and despite official disaproval, he managed to get the concept accepted. This proved fortuitous as both the Challenger and Cromwell tank designs experienced difficulties and delays.

The After the problem of getting the Gun to fit in the Sherman turret was solved, the Firefly was put into production in early 1944, in time to equip Field Marshall Montgomerys forces for the Normany Landings (Operation Overlord).

It soon became highly valued as the only British tank capable of defeating the Pather and Tiger tanks it faced in Normandy at the standard combat ranges. In recognition of this German tanks and anti tank gun crews were instructed to attack Firefly's first.

Between 2100 and 2200 were manufactured before production was wound down in 1945.

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Peter has really pulled this one off, a typical Firefly with all the stowage and track used as a 'make shift' armour even to the welded on turret box for extra ammunition.

Also notice the lower painted barrel to hide the fact it is a Firefly.

Congratulations from BFM - HQ

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' Panzer Rest '

Sent in by

Ernie Oliver Welling, Hants. UK

These photo shots of a Panther crew at rest by Ernie are expertly painted in typical German camo drab, the photogarphs have been masterly done in photoshop to show a faux diorama.

'Nice set of BFM 200 Ltr Barrels there Ernie'

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' King Tiger '

(Porsche Turret)

Sent in by

Peter Symonds of Nottingham UK

A Very Pro finished King Tiger tank here from Peter with the added Porsche turret from a kit, also commander and loader looking very realisitc, some battle damage is seen with a genuine tri colour camo which is dulled down with special techniques. This is a very large and heavy realistic model in every way. Peter does his own zimmerite as we have mentioned before from his secret recipe.

Look out don't let this heavy tank run over your toes.

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With in house zimmerite applied LED Flash Machine gun and LED Cannon also.

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DID YOU KNOW

Due to Extreme rationing in WW2 and the scarcity of chocolate

led to the invention of Nutella.

DID YOU KNOW

Some of the most dangerous men fighting in WW2 were Finnish Sniper Units, Simo Hayha was the best sniper the Finns had, he was called 'White Death' by the Soviet Army with 505 kills.

However he was shot by a Russian counter sniper and part of his jaw was blown off but he did survived the War.

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Simo Hayha Born 17th. Dec. 1905 - Died 1st. April 2002. Age 96.

' Krupps Cargo Truck '

Sent in by

Michael Dady of Nottingham UK

Hi Battlefrontmodels HQ

I have sent in my version of the German Krupps supply truck. The guy who purchased my Tiger 1asked if I could convert a Toy 'Indiana [email protected] truck as seen in the film, Hasbro do a truck and this would compliment my 1/16 scale range.

After a few Umm's and arr'sI reluctantly agreed to have a go without spending too much time or money on the project.

After a few nights of working on it I found it was looking quite realistic and the buyer was very pleased with the early photographs.

He has since purchased lots of stowage Oil drums, Covers, tools etc.

See the following Photo's below.

N.B. Also see Gallery 14 for a similar model by Andy Jones.

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DID YOU KNOW

Something like 30% to 40% of tank losses for all Allied armies in the final months of the war were attributed to Panzerfaust ambushes usually carried out by Hitler youth. Much has been made of the superiority of the German Heavy armour against Medium Allied tanks. Yes the Panzerfaust (Tank Fist) was the ultimate evolution of individual anti-tank rocket during WW2.

Germany spent millions of Deutschmarks on expensive tanks like the King Tiger (Tiger 2) which was so comples and expensive that only a few could be produced.

Yet the Panzerfaust was cheap and effective, it's not unlikely that concentrating on producing and distributing Panzerfauste more evenly to German units in France (before June 1944) could have given the German infantry an effective counter-measure to Allied armour.

Men and Panzerfauste were something the Germans did not lack in 1944, and the weapon was far more effective deployed by a veteran infantryman than raw militaryman or Hitler Youth member.

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"Come Let Me Show You Where The Iron Crosses Grow"