During 1942-43 the standard size of an armoured troop (platoon) was 3 tanks and had served the British well. However it became clearer as the war progressed that the standard 75mm gun of the Sherman would not be powerful enough to deal with the ever increasing amounts of armour the German were applying to their tanks, a solution was sought.
Already in service in 1943 was the excellent 17pdr anti-tank gun and it was decided to mount this in a Sherman turret. After some trial and error a mounting was affected. The new 17pdr armed Sherman was dubbed the Firefly.
The Firefly was then issued to the armoured divisions, with most formations issuing them to the Armoured Troops as an extra tank, thus bringing the strength of a troop up to 3 Shermans and a Firefly.
Some squadrons grouped their Fireflies together in a single troop, and later in the war some Armoured Troops had up to two Fireflies.
The Sherman V (M4A4) was the most common Sherman available to the British Armoured Divisions (while the Independant Armoured Brigades mostly had Sherman III) during the D-Day landings.
To keep mechanical repairs and maintenance streamlined the Firefly Vc (based on the M4A4) was issued to the Armoured Divisions.
The Armoured Troop box contains 4 Sherman V and 1 Firefly Vc, mounted and dismounted crew, Appliqu armour sprues for the Sherman Vs, and a decal sheet of divisional, regimental and squadron tactical markings.
The fourth Sherman can be used to create your Squadron HQ. Two or three boxes will give the core troops for your squadron.
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