Echelon recently released decals for the Churchill tanks that landed at Dieppe on August 19, 1942.There are two parts to this set, and represents the tanks of B and C Squadrons of the Calgary Regiment (except “Bull” for which markings could not be found).Included in Part I are markings for the B Squadron of the Calgary Regiment. In Part 2 are markings for Regimental HQ and C Squadron of the Calgary Regiment. There are enough decals for four tanks in any of seventeen configurations. Although Echelon advertises these as markings for the Churchill Mark IV, the Dieppe Churchills were Mk’s I, II and III. There was very little standardization of the markings; fonts and placement varied from tank to tank. Echelon has provided tank name and registration numbers in the particular font that was used on the real tank. If there was some doubt, Echelon has provided alternatives for the modeller to choose from. One example is the colour of the turret tactical numbers, there has been a debate whether they were white or yellow. Echelon has provided the numbers in white on a blue background, along with a yellow number that can be overlaid, leaving the choice to the modeller. There is a placement diagram provided for each tank and if there is doubt about exact location, this is noted.

The decals provided compare well with photos contained in “Dieppe, Through the Lens” by Hugh Henry, ISBN 0900913762.

Decal quality is excellent, the carrier film is thin, registration of the colours is very accurate, and colours are opaque. One note, there is very little adhesive on the decal carrier, and they can peel off. A mild decal setting solution should be used.

These decals are suitable for use on the AFV Club Churchill Mk III (which must be modified to represent a Dieppe version), the IMA Mk. I and Mk. II conversions, or Cromwell Models kits, if these are still available.

Courtesy of: The Newsletter of the International Plastic Modelers Society of Edmonton
Reviewed by Eric Solomonson