After the breakout from the D-Day beaches in late July, 1944, the rapidly advancing Allied armies eventually outran their supply lines and had to halt from the lack of fuel and ordinance. The Red Ball Express was conceived as a constant convoy of trucks traveling several hundred miles between the port of Cherbourg and the city of Chartres, France. At the peak of its operation, it was running 5,938 vehicles carrying 12,342 tons of supplies to forward depots daily. Prohibited from serving in combat units, the majority of the Red Ball Express personnel were young African-Americans.
“The Red Ball Line is the lifeline between combat and supply. To it falls the tremendous task of getting vital supplies from ports and depots to the combat troops, when and where such supplies are needed, material without which the armies might fail ... But the struggle is not yet won. So the Red Ball Line must continue the battle it is waging so well, with the knowledge that each truckload which goes through to the combat forces cannot help but bring victory closer.” GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
To honour the contribution of these men, Figarti Miniatures proudly introduces its Red Ball Express pieces. “Red Ball Express” (ETA-015) is the ubiquitous GMC "Deuce and a half" truck loaded with jerry cans with an African-American driver wearing the Red Ball Express patch. The canvas canopy and engine hood is detachable. “U.S. Fuel Truck” (ETA-016) is a GMC CCKW 353 fuel truck with removable engine hood and African-American driver used to supply gas stations along the Red Ball route. To service these new trucks, Figarti provides two “Red Ball Mechanics” (ETA-018), which comes with engine hood hinged in the open position with a separate vehicle number. “Take Cover!” (ETA-019) has an officer and soldier running for cover as a complement to the next set. Showing the dangers along the route, “Ambushed MP Jeep” (ETA-029) has three surprised MP’s in a jeep with movable windshield and removable engine hood. Finally, Figarti Miniatures proudly offers “Keep’em Rolling” (ETA-031) which is inspired by the iconic WWII photo of a Red Ball Express MP directing traffic next to a sign showing the daily tonnage delivered. Done the Figarti way with an attention to detail, the red arrow indicating tonnage is movable.
“The Red Ball Line is the lifeline between combat and supply. To it falls the tremendous task of getting vital supplies from ports and depots to the combat troops, when and where such supplies are needed, material without which the armies might fail ... But the struggle is not yet won. So the Red Ball Line must continue the battle it is waging so well, with the knowledge that each truckload which goes through to the combat forces cannot help but bring victory closer.” GENERAL DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
To honour the contribution of these men, Figarti Miniatures proudly introduces its Red Ball Express pieces. “Red Ball Express” (ETA-015) is the ubiquitous GMC "Deuce and a half" truck loaded with jerry cans with an African-American driver wearing the Red Ball Express patch. The canvas canopy and engine hood is detachable. “U.S. Fuel Truck” (ETA-016) is a GMC CCKW 353 fuel truck with removable engine hood and African-American driver used to supply gas stations along the Red Ball route. To service these new trucks, Figarti provides two “Red Ball Mechanics” (ETA-018), which comes with engine hood hinged in the open position with a separate vehicle number. “Take Cover!” (ETA-019) has an officer and soldier running for cover as a complement to the next set. Showing the dangers along the route, “Ambushed MP Jeep” (ETA-029) has three surprised MP’s in a jeep with movable windshield and removable engine hood. Finally, Figarti Miniatures proudly offers “Keep’em Rolling” (ETA-031) which is inspired by the iconic WWII photo of a Red Ball Express MP directing traffic next to a sign showing the daily tonnage delivered. Done the Figarti way with an attention to detail, the red arrow indicating tonnage is movable.
