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.