British Walkers - Markers, insignia and code numbers

[Ultravanillasmurf]

After many years I have nearly finished a West Wind M100 Comanche walker in British service.

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on markings for such a vehicle.

I am using the red - white -red recognition marker on the shoulder or equivalent.

The registration will go on the left thigh plate.

Where should I put the tactical sign (green background as it is an infantry walker - the bigger walkers may have red backgrounds)? The example number is just taken from the Warlord Guards Armoured Division.

On the chest plate?


The right thigh?


Or on the gun shield?

[tin shed gamer]

Personally I'd place it on the chest.It looks lost on the weapon.and the knee looses cohesion as your markings start to look randomly placed.

[fred]

I think I'd go chest too. They were normally on the front of the hull / mudguards of conventional vehicles. They were also normally paired with the divisional symbol, one left one right. Front and back as well.

[Ballardian]

I think that the paired approach (tac & divisional) seems logical - either on the lower chest or the thigh armour - depends on the size of the decals. Personally I'd be tempted to go with the thighs, as the chest could sport a white star - along with a smaller star on the shoulder or upper arm, perhaps along with a squadron marker.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Thank you for your thoughts and suggestions.

Ballardian, the figure comes with moulded star and other tat, I removed most of it (one of the problems with digital photography is it shows imperfections so well) to give a cleaner chest plate.

The raised star on the original would give additional armour at the aiming point like in The Dark Knight Returns.

I think I will go with the chest location. However I am going to try and source some 20mm scale decals as the 28mm ones do swamp the figure. I do want some 1/48 or 1/35 79th Armoured Division ones for the big walker's (who better to use such specialised hardware).

My guess is the tactical sign and divisional insignia have a logistic/strategic function rather than a tactical function. Their position allows traffic direction and convoy cohesion.

I have added squadron markers, not convinced they are of a suitable size (I used the ones off of the Warlord universal carrier sheet) nor the meaning of the colour (I know the red, yellow, blue and white but not green).

Again I suspect 15 or 20mm scale would be better.

Photographs to follow when I get back.

[fred]

My guess is the tactical sign and divisional insignia have a logistic/strategic function rather than a tactical function. Their position allows traffic direction and convoy cohesion.

I suspect so, I think there probably to keep regimental sergeant majors happy that everything was ship shape and organised.  Tactically the square markings have no purpose. The geometric markings on the turrets possibly have a tactical purpose as they identify regiments and squadrons, and sometimes even troops with a small number inside the symbol. But again these were pretty small on only on the sides of the tanks, so I'm not sure how useful they would have been in combat.

The green symbols are for the Motor Battalion of the Armoured Division (at least in late war period). In the early war period is was much more fluid - which must have been better from a security point of view, but less useful to friendly troops from other formations.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

The squadron mark with accompanying number or the vehicle number are probably very useful in coordinating attacks, but that probably depends on the tactical doctrine of the unit.

So, here are the recognition and squadron mark on the mech. The W prefix registration number is on the left thigh and the rear of the hip unit.



I think I will replace the squadron markers with 15-20mm scale white squadron marks.

[mdauben]

The red-white-red markings seem to be more of an early war thing (you see a lot of them on the pre-Sherman desert armor.  Not sure it is appropriate on a post-45 WWWII  walker.  Still, if you like it the "rule of cool" trumps all.  You could always say it came back into use in the post-war period. 

For the regiment and division markings, I'd go with the regiment (square with number) on the right thigh, and the division (picture) on the left.  This would mirror the placement of these markings on the front lf the hull or fenders on conventional vehicles. 

The company markings, I'd probably put as high on the side of the walker as possible.  Either the shoulder or the head (if there is room).

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Thanks.

I think the red white red ID is mid war prior to the standardisation on the star, early war was white red white.

Most late War British and Commonwealth vehicles appear to either lack or had the "Invasion Stars" painted out. With the loss of air superiority inherent in any continued conflict the one on the top would be a liability.

So, the idea is to revert to a previous ID for ground combat.