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Suggestions for Iraq M1A1 color scheme

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  • Member since
    August 2011
Suggestions for Iraq M1A1 color scheme
Posted by musial10 on Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:07 AM

Okay, I am putting together my first model ever!  The model is a Tamiya M1A1, modeled to represent the vehicle used in Iraq.  The assembly was pretty straight forward, but now I am looking for suggestions on how to apply the desert color scheme.  As I previously said, this is my first model ever so I do not have an airbrush.  My thoughts were to use the Tamiya spray for the desert color.  However, during my research online, I have noticed that the color is only available in a spray can.  I know that there will other pieces that are going to need to be painted using a brush.  So, I am trying to figure out what my best option is for painting this.  Is there other paint available that would enable me to use a spray can and also have the same color for brush on paint?  Or is there another way to tackle this all together?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Somewhere in MN
Posted by El Taino on Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:29 AM

You might check your LHS for Model Master Modern Desert Sand FS-33722 in spray can. Item number is 1963.

Don't worry about the ''sample'' color at Testors.com. That color is way off. I have on can with me as a I type.

  • Member since
    April 2010
  • From: Somewhere in MN
Posted by El Taino on Saturday, January 7, 2012 10:33 AM

BTW, welcome to the forum.

  • Member since
    October 2009
Posted by Kentucky Colonel on Saturday, January 7, 2012 1:11 PM

Go to the Group Build forum, we just finished a M1 group build and it lists paints to use.

If you want to make it like 2003 OIF then Model Masters Acryl  "Sand" number 4720 is a prfect match for the paint they used on M1A1's and M1A2's in 2003 in Iraq. It should be on page 2 or 3 of the forum. It's what I used on this USMC M1A1HC.

  • Member since
    August 2011
Posted by musial10 on Saturday, January 7, 2012 2:19 PM

Thanks for the welcomeing me to the Forum!  Okay, I will check out the Model Masters paint.  What do I do if I need to touch stuff up with a brush?  It appears the sand only comes in a spray can?

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: England
Posted by P mitch on Saturday, January 7, 2012 3:35 PM

I got the following results form Tamiya XF-59 Desert Yellow

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/Photobucket:550:0]

"If anybody ever tells you anything about an aeroplane which is so bloody complicated you can't understand it, take it from me: it's all balls." R J Mitchell


  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Saturday, January 7, 2012 6:06 PM

I know that there will other pieces that are going to need to be painted using a brush.  So, I am trying to figure out what my best option is for painting this.  Is there other paint available that would enable me to use a spray can and also have the same color for brush on paint? 

You simply decant the paint from the spray can into another container for touch-up...

  • Member since
    August 2011
Posted by musial10 on Thursday, January 19, 2012 8:37 AM

Great, I really appreciate everyone helping!

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Thursday, January 19, 2012 10:27 AM

Just curious--are there still 3-color NATO scheme M1A1's in the Middle East ? I know that some went there in those schemes, but are they still around?

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Thursday, January 19, 2012 10:51 AM

There were before we pulled out of Iraq in DEC '11.  The only ones left in the ME are in A'stan, one USMC Company (14 tanks) of which all were sand last time I saw them.

The US Army and USMC did not repaint their vehicles when they were sent to the ME.

There still may be some NATO camo tanks in Kuwait as we are now going back to having at least a BDE there as opposed to in Iraq.  They may just draw PrePo stuff as we used to before the invasion in '03 on training rotations there.  If so, all the PrePo vehicles are sand.

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

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  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Democratic Peoples Republic of Illinois
Posted by Hercmech on Thursday, January 19, 2012 10:59 AM

Welcome to the forums! Good advice on how to paint your kit.


13151015

  • Member since
    January 2007
Posted by the doog on Thursday, January 19, 2012 11:04 AM

HeavyArty

There were before we pulled out of Iraq in DEC '11.  The only ones left in the ME are in A'stan, one USMC Company (14 tanks) of which all were sand last time I saw them.

The US Army and USMC did not repaint their vehicles when they were sent to the ME.

There still may be some NATO camo tanks in Kuwait as we are now going back to having at least a BDE there as opposed to in Iraq.  They may just draw PrePo stuff as we used to before the invasion in '03 on training rotations there.  If so, all the PrePo vehicles are sand.

Thanks, Gino--you're the "go-to guy" for this kind of information! Smile

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