Dragon Armor M4 Sherman Firefly Vc - Captured by German Army

No. 60260, Vintage year - 2006, Scale - 1:72

Unit - German Army/unidentified - some Firefly tanks were captured in Normandy from the 148th British RAC/33rd Armored Brigade by sPzAbt. 503 near Giberville and Cuverville. Also, there are photos in May 8, 1945 of the 1st Kriegsgliederung, 3.Kompanie, PzJg.Abt. 346 with three captured Shermans in Holland. Some of these bear similar markings to this model. 

Campaign - Western Front 1944-45 - at this stage in the war, the Germans were happy to use whatever tank they could that was still running and had fuel. In addition, some Shermans were cannibalized for use in tank recovery vehicles. However, the Firefly was prized for its armament and was most likely put into combat. 

Markings - tan with dark green and brow camouflage with various German and Allied markings on turret and hull - including two white crosses on turret and on hull.

Model - M4 Sherman Firefly - This variant was manufactured in September 1941 and based on the M4 Sherman but fitted with the powerful 3-inch (76.2 mm) caliber British 17-pounder anti-tank gun as its main weapon.It had no armor or mobility advantages over the normal Sherman tank although the gun mantlet was some 13mm thicker. It soon became highly valued as the only British tank capable of defeating at standard combat ranges the Panther and the Tiger tanks that it faced in Normandy. Over 2,100 were manufactured during the war. The nickname "Firefly" is not found in official wartime documents but was adopted due to the bright muzzle flash of the main gun. During the war, the Shermans with the 17-pounder guns were usually known as "1C", "1C Hybrid", or "VC" depending on the basic mark of the vehicle. In British nomenclature, a "C" at the end of the roman numeral meant that the tank was equipped with the more lethal 17-pounder. The Germans appreciated the Sherman tank for its mechanical reliability, its maneuverability and wide operating radius, and better fuel efficiency. Of course, their profile would also fool those on the Allied side that did not want to fire on a 'friendly' seeming tank. 

Condition - MINT with minor wear on cardboard box