This is the IBG 1/35th Scale Chevrolet FAT 4. The figures are a mixture of cast heads arms and legs from various manufactures. Just need to add some small arms, put the top on, add some stowage and weather. Comments and advice appreciated. Cheers Kevin
Thanks Clive, This is the completed vehicle i am still working on a loaded up limber.. Apologies for the poor quality photos. cheers Kevin
Nice model, of a 13 Field Battery RCA FAT, but I am going to bite about the title. Maybe I am just nitpicking, but the man in the commander's seat of a FAT is usually the Gun No 1. The seating arrangement doesn't allow for extra passengers in addition to the detachment. If you want to make a cheap jibe about officers map reading, make a diorama with a 15 cwt! It is true that young officers have a reputation for geographical embarrassment, but that is because it is their job to lead columns of vehicles. So navigational errors or missed turns are very visible. However, as a Gunner Officer it is drilled into you to always know where you are. - see the section in George Blackburn's book about crash actions. It was also a matter of life and death. By and large Gunner officers are better map readers than in other services, and, don't whisper it too loudly, most gun sergeants, whose usually only needed to follow like sheep. If you really want to worry the average Nos1 tell them that they are taking a turn as battery guide and leading the column. Sheldrake returns to the leather armchair in the Larkhill mess ante room where he can snooze behind yesterday's Daily Torygraph. until its pink gin time....
Hi Sheldrake, Firstly apologies it was not meant as a cheap jibe no offence was intended. My late Father, a 32 year Gunner who served on 25 pdrs in Malaya, Hong Kong and in the UK, is probably turning in his grave at my errors too. But had he still been alive today he would probably have smiled at my post title but would have corrected me much as you have. Oh attached a photo of my late Father as the Gun Sergeant in Malaya, who always knew where he was and not a man to be lead like sheep. Cheers Kevin
Kevin you crack on mate no offence taken please keep posting any models you have or will make we are all interested I just wish I could find time to start making again. regards Clive
That is the one. George Blackburn writes with justified pride in his troop and battery. He served in 4th Field which could have been depicted if the had tac sign number on the model was 42 rather than 44. , The activity will be familiar to almost every gunner officer who passed through the Royal Regiment since the introduction of wireless communications. .There is a part of Larkhill ranges known as "Crash Action Valley." it is probably where the Gunnery Staff can see the guns move at the same time as supervise the OP. The Crash Action is probably still practiced. It was in the 1980s and done with light medium and heavy guns. It is a good test of the command post and guns. It isn't just a School of Artillery Exercise. It is how artillery supported a meeting engagement.
Hi Sheldrake, I would have done but i didn't have a confirm census number for a Chevy FAT. cheers Kevin
Kev Its your call on your splendid model. Probably the best to avoid Blackburn's unit. One of the challenge with modelling real vehicles must be to run into detailed accounts o9f the real people.
For all of the practices and expertise of George Blackburn and his fellow subalterns , there was one aspect in which junior artillery officers were under prepared for the reality of war. Their training was focused on the gun end. They were much less well equipped to operated with the infantry or armour when called on to replace the Captain FOOs. Blackburn also mentions this. When called forwards toi Hill 112 this was all new to him. This is where map reading became a matter of life and death - and why I bit on the "Rupert with a map" jibe. Map reading in the forward areas was difficult. The people that the FOO was looking for to support were doing their best to hide. Norman roads and tracks are confusing and it is easy to take a wrong turning. Blackburn mentions one officer (Stu Wadell?) going beyond the front line - and only noticing that the allied tank tracks had run out. He was lucky and survived wounding and temporary capture. Lieuteant Mackaie of 86 Regiment was less fortunate. Ordered to take a replacement OP vehicle forward on 8th or 9th June he made the wrong turn and found himself in the middle of a company of SS Panzer Grenadiers. He put up a fight and was killed. A brave gunner, married family man and far from a"Rupert"
Obviously sorry about the title, perhaps one of the admin can change it. Anyway attached is the completed FAT, Limber and 25 pdr of No. 2 Gun, A Troop, 14th Canadian Field Artillery Regiment. The base was too short to take the FAT, Limber and gun. Cheers kevin