Accessory, Bison Decals BD-35090, Royal Artillery (RA) in Italy

BISON DECALS


BD-35090, Royal Artillery (RA) in Italy. 1/35th-scale water-slide decals with instructions.





Often overlooked is the role that the Royal Artillery played in the Italian Campaign. While kits of vehicles and guns used by this branch of the British Army have been available for decades, tailored markings for a specific theater of operations have been completely lacking. Bison has filled yet another gap in coverage with unique and colorful markings for a total of seven complete vehicles, as follows:

M7 Priest 105mm HMC, 98th Field Regiment, RA. September 1943.
M7 Priest 105mm HMC, A Troop, 22nd Battery, 24th Field Regiment, RA. May 1944.
M7 Priest 105mm HMC, 152nd Field Regiment, RA, 6th Armoured Division. May 1944.
Sherman Command Tank, 22nd Battery, 24th Field Regiment, RA. January 1944.
M3A1 Halftrack, 98th Field Regiment, RA. September 1943.
M10 3-inch GMC, 72nd Anti-Tank Regiment, RA. August 1944.
M10 17-Pdr. GMC, 93rd Anti-Tank Regiment, RA. October 1944.





Possibly the most unique markings on this decal sheet are the squadron signs; those that are in the style of a ring have two colors (upper half and lower half) and a number in their centers, while the triangles have red outlines with a solid white center, also with a letter or number in the middle. The divisional and corps level unit insignia are also quite colorful; it also appears that there are some variations included amongst the seven complete sets of markings, providing further scope to the modeler. Some vehicles have two-tone camouflage patterns, while the Sherman Command Tank (should it be designated Sherman AOP?) is fitted with deep wading towers and waterproof-covered mantlet. This reviewer also wonders if the half-track, which is designated as an M3A1, although it has no M49 ring mount, is in fact an M9, which was the official type supplied as lend-lease material to the British.

The instructions are nicely laid out as half-tone drawings; they often feature more than one full view, as well as some scrap views. Features seen on specific tanks are depicted, including track types. In addition, sub-types are accurately designated, where possible. Camouflage patterns are also shown, and references are listed. There are several notes in various places that will help keep the modeler on track. The modeler is also directed to Bisons web-site, where full-color instructions can be down-loaded and printed, as needed. Finally, a map is included that shows the designs as they appear on the sheet, with their superimposed alpha-numeric identifiers. These correspond to the call-outs for each tank in the instructions. This is quite handy and takes much of the guess-work out of the process.





The designs are printed by Begemot, Bisons usual supplier. The quality is excellent, with good color saturation, proper registration and crisply-detailed edges. The carrier film is matte and cut close to the edges of the designs.

Again, it is nice to see that Bison continues to take the road less traveled when searching for interesting subjects for their decal sheets. They have listed several sets of markings for Free French AFVs as future releases; this reviewer greatly anticipates their arrival.


Highly recommended.


Frank V. De Sisto


Bison products are available at retail and mail order shops. For more information, visit: www.angelfire.com/pro/bison.

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