Chevy C15A

[A WWII Chevrolet Field Artillery Tractor as it appeared in Italy during 1944.]

Model Subject: The subject of this article is a WWII Chevrolet Field Artillery Tractor belonging to Gun 4, D Troop, B Battery, 1st Field Regiment (Royal Canadian Horse Artillery), Royal Canadian Artillery. Its paint scheme and markings depict it as it appeared in Italy during 1944.

[These vehicles were built by Chevrolet in Oshawa, Ontario.]

This vehicle is a Canadian Military Pattern C15A FAT-4 with a # 13 cab built by Chevrolet in Oshawa, Ontario. It was initially assigned to the British 8th Army and was used in the North African campaign.

[The Canadians received replacement vehicles from the British when 3 of their transport ships were sunk.]

It became the property of the 1st Canadian Division in the opening days of the invasion of Sicily. It was taken from 8th Army surplus stores to replace Division losses incurred when three transport ships carrying many of the Division's vehicles where sunk by German submarines while en-route to the invasion beaches.

The Kit: The kit is the Italeri (kit # 240) issue of the Chevrolet Gun Tractor originally produced by Peerless Max. It shares a number of common sprues (chassis and front cab) with the Chevy 15 CWT truck also issued by Italeri and Peerless Max. As a matter of fact, the 15 CWT cab floor, back wall, roof, and fuel tanks are included and were assigned to the spares box.

[The Eduard detail set (35458) was also used to refine the detail.]

The build was relatively straightforward with only two modifications made to the base kit. The Eduard detail set (35458) was also used to refine the detail. General construction progressed normally. There were a number of ejector pin marks to fill on the inside of the chassis frame, on the underside of the cab floor, and on the cab roof. The interior was built, painted and weathered first. The truck body and the chassis were then built, painted, and weathered before being combined to complete the basic structure.

[The replacement Eduard grill enhances the front of the truck.]

The kit comes with a nice radiator, however it is hidden behind the solid grillwork. The Eduard instructions suggest that the kit grillwork just be smoothed off and the replacement screen added. Instead, I cut away the kit grillwork and boxed in the radiator for a more realistic look.

[There are 15 two-part latches that needed to be installed.]

The most tedious part of the build was adding the etched brass latches to the truck cargo bins. There are 15 two-part latches that needed to be installed. To ensure they stayed attached during finishing, I drilled holes to glue the latch handles into.

[The kit roof tarp was out of scale so it was replaced by one made from tissue and white glue.]

The kit representations of the roof tarp and camouflage net bag were oversized and out of scale, so the parts were replaced by facsimiles made from tissue and white glue. Construction was completed by added a cable to the winch and stringing it forward to be secured on the front bumper.

[The color scheme reflects the vehicle's origins in the North African desert.]

Finishing and Markings: The color scheme and markings were taken from the kit instructions. The colors reflect the vehicle's origins in the North African desert, as it retains its BS381C Light Stone 61 primary color with dark counter shading. The kit suggests black or dark grey for the counter shading. However, research indicates that SCC7 Dark Green was also used as counter shading in Italy. Therefore, I chose to use it on this particular subject, because it would not be as stark as black or dark grey, and would be just as likely.

[The body colors were mixed using formulas published on the MAFVA website. A paper mask was used for painting the dark green counter shading.]

The body colors were mixed using Mike Starmer's & Mike Cooper's formula as published on the MAFVA website. The Light Stone is 8 parts Humbrol 74 and 1 part Humbrol 26. The Dark Green is 4 parts Humbrol 150 and 1 part Humbrol 186.

[The model was dry brushed with the base colors mixed with Windsor & Newton oils.]

The kit was primed using Model Master Raw Umber, and then the Light Stone base color was applied. Next, a paper mask was used for painting the dark green counter shading. When the finish was dry, a coat of Future was sprayed on to seal it, and then the kit was washed with diluted raw umber Windsor & Newton oil paint. The dust in Sicily and Italy was almost pure white. To simulate the dust, the model was dry brushed with the base colors mixed with Windsor & Newton oils. The last light brushing used almost pure white. The traps were painted a non-dyed canvas color simulated by a mix of 4 parts Humbrol 84 and 1 part Humbrol 90.

[The division and tactical markings were custom made from solid color decal sheets and dry transfer numbers.]

The markings were based on those supplied by the kit, but only the bridge makings and WD numbers from the kit decal sheet where used. The rest of the markings had to be custom made, as the kit decals were too light, particularly the blue. The division and tactical markings should be close to US insignia red and blue in color. They were made from solid color decal sheets and Woodland Scenic dry transfer numbers. The gold maple leaf came from an IPMS decal sheet.

[All in all, it was a fun build, and I learned a lot.]

Conclusion: All in all, it was a fun build. I learned a lot about working with etched brass and about using oils for dry brushing

[The wheel lugs were hit with a steel color for that used look.]

Internet References:
a)    Made In Canada - CMP Vehicles; www.geocities/cmpvehicles/
b)    Maple Leaf Up; www.mapleleafup.org
c)    Miniature AFV Association; www.mafva.com