Bison Decals WW2 British Shermans Part 2, 17 Pounder Sherman Firefly Mk Ic & Vc (BD-35011)

by Frank V. De Sisto

Water-slide decal sheet in 1/35th-scale. Price: $9.00 USD plus shipping.

Of the British AFV-oriented markings sheets from this manufacturer, I think this one has to be my favorite. One reason is that I like variations of the 17-pdr.-armed Shermans, while the second reason is that the sheet’s designer came up with an ultra-unique scheme: that of a Czech Armoured Brigade Sherman Ic Hybrid Firefly. Well done!

The remaining tanks include four British Vc and one British Ic Firefly, including the Vc (from the Northamptonshire Yeomanry) that is credited with knocking out Michael Wittmann’s Tiger I in Normandy. The Hybrid Ic includes 60-pound aircraft rockets mounted on the turret and is from the Guards Armoured Division. The remaining Vc tanks are from the 144th RAC, 3rd County of London Yeomanry, and the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.

All of these tanks can be modeled using various DML kits as well as aftermarket items such as Chesapeake Model Designs’ Firefly turret or M4 Composite hull.

As is the case with all of the sheets from this manufacturer, Microscale does the printing. This means that the carrier film is thin and responds well to solvents and setting solutions. It also means that the items are crisply printed with excellent color saturation and registration. The instructions are clear, although each segment is small since six tanks are covered on one side of an A4-sized sheet of paper. Painting notes are included as is a reference to Humbrol paints. Recommended references, as well as the manufacturer’s web page should be consulted as an aid to the modeler.

Altogether this sheet offers quite a nice selection of Firefly markings.

Highly recommended.

Bison products are available at retail and mail order shops and directly from the manufacturer at: www.angelfire.com/pro/bison. Visit their web site for images of reviewed items and ordering information.