Bison Decals WW2 British Shermans
Part 1, Sherman NWE (BD-35010)
by Frank V. De Sisto
Water-slide decal sheet in 1/35 scale. Price: $9.00 USD plus shipping.
This sheet contains markings for six different British-crewed Sherman
tanks as deployed to NW Europe during 1944 and 1945. The tanks covered
include a Mk V AOP (Armoured Observation Post), two Mk V “Crab”
flail tanks, two “straight up and down” Mk Vs and a single
Mk I. Three of the tanks (the two “Crabs” and a Mk V) belong
to the famed 79th Armoured Division, while the remaining tanks include
two from the Northamptonshire Yeomanry (a Mk I and a Mk V) and an AOP
of the Essex Yeomanry.
These tanks all sport relatively colorful markings such as large tac
numbers, names, shipping stencils, various AoS markings, and in some cases,
large allied stars or ringed stars.
This sheet will work well with the Tamiya M4 (Sherman Mk I), DML M4A4
(Sherman V) and the Resicast Crab models.
The instructions consist of various notes on colors and on line and in
print references, as well as Humbrol color equivalents. The drawings are
small, but can be used as the sole source of decal placement. However,
I would recommend consulting the recommended references (if they are available
to the modeler), as well as the manufacturer’s web page, for assistance
in placement.
The decals are printed by Microscale, and are of the quality traditionally
associated with this printer. In other words, detail, registration and
color saturation are all first rate, while the backing material is very
thin and reacts well to solvents and setting solutions.
Where I could check the given markings schemes against the listed references,
I found no errors. It is obvious that the manufacturer cares about this
product, has done the “homework” and is, in fact, also a modeler
as well. For “Shermanaholics”, especially those that prefer
non-US subjects, this sheet is a treat.
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.
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