make your own m1a2 oif decals

Blue masking tape is an industry standard painter's tape sold in stores like Lowe's, Home Depot, Walmart, Big Lots, Target, Kmart, etc. wherever interior house painting supplies are sold.

Hi garzonh,

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

Too bad there is no blue masking tape in my city.

Is it possible to use the usual tan brown masking tape?

Good morning my friend,

I used a low adherence masking tape, like the ones used for painting interior homes to make lines. They are blue in color. I think a standard masking tape has too much glue and is more difficult to work with.

I used a ruler and sharp hobby knife over a hard surface and cut straight lines, usually 20" long. Then paint them just with acrylics and a brush, I did a second layer with more paint and thinned and lighter shade of same green, on both sides. I did had some trouble with the paint on the sticky side, some of it will peel off. Don't panic.

Then just used as rope, i glued the tip of this "rope" to the back with super glue and regular glue, then I had to tight it using two tweezers one in each hand. This is the tricky part, because both tips are small and you can't use your fingers. This is where some surgical experience is handy, is like making stitches.

Once you have the appropriate length and tied it down and tightly, cut the excess and glue the other side to the back of the part.

As I mentioned if some paint comes off during this process, just use some pigments it will cover the problems, and give it more realistic, used, weared off look.

@ Rob
Thanks for the reply.
I think I have seen some pictures of M1 tanks which paint chipped very badly somewhere.
Your info explains it all.

Do this happen only to desert storm era tanks?
no OIF/OEF tanks?


@ garzonh
Thanks for the kind words, pictures and the advice.
Your pictures give me some idea to put some straps to my tank.
Your advice is very welcomed since I have just started this hobby again.

Your  straps look very realistic.
What kind of masking tape do you use?
You only cut it and paint it?

It is coming out very nice!.

I agree that you should add some strap, ropes or something holding the bags.

Not only it gives a feasible/realistic look but makes the illusion that bags are very heavy.

If you allow me for some small advice, I used masking tape, and even realized that the rough side of the tape, gives a great texture and also allows for pigments to adhere more easily.

Here is what mine looked... at close up

t-bolt

I did not know that modern tank paint does not chip.
This is new information for me.
Does this mean all the colors?
or only sand color?

Newer paint is very durable; however, if you want to paint a Desert Shield/Desert Storm era tank, those tanks were 3-color NATO camouflaged and then received sand paint over it. Those tanks chipped very badly because of the hasty paint jobs. You'd often see large chunks of the sand paint missing and the green/brown/black beneath it. The same properties that made the paint resist chemical adhesion also made the paint resist paint adhesion.

Yes, all the modern paint is very chip resistant.  It is a formula called CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating).  It is a very strong, epoxy-based paint and is available in all the colors in current use.

@ HeavyArty

You are really a gold mine of information about all things M1A2. 
Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

I did not know that modern tank paint does not chip.
This is new information for me.
Does this mean all the colors?
or only sand color?

Thanks for telling me that all ALICE bags should be green.
I did not know about that either.   :D

And yes I think I am going to use that tamiya us modern equipment set for my next abrams.
Too bad there are too many inaccuracies in trumpeter kits.
No wonder it is so cheap.


@ Georg
I am using photoshop and regular inkjet canon IP1600.
i do not have a laser printer.
However, I find the result is quite acceptable. 

T-bolt,

 If you only need black markings, you can make them in MS Word and print them out on laser decal paper using a standard b/w laser printer.  HTH.

Regards,

Georg

Modern CARC paint doesn't really chip.  Is is a very tough, epoxy-based paint that is very strong and chip resistant.  

It is looking really good.  If you want realism though, the ALICE pack bags hanging off the sides should all be green.  The US Army dodn't issue them in any other colors.  Trumpeter messed up the CIP panels on th erear and sides as well.  They should not be see through.  They are like louvered siding on a house.  Tamiya's ones from their Modern US Military Equipment set are correct and very nice.

I am thinking about adding some paint chipping.

Is it appropriate for modern armor such as M1A2?

What color should I use? dark grey or dark green?

I manage to take some more pictures:

subfixer and HeavyArty,  thanks for the replies.

Here are some pictures:

I have not put the webbing straps, but to me I think it looks ok without them.
What do you think?

subfixer

They use straps, nylon line, rope, or whatever. You just can't glue them on, it will look strange if there isn't some kind of attachment method that is apparent. You can't use the ol' Velcro excuse.

Exactly what I was getting at.  Usually, they are attached w/webbing straps.  Rope is not really common. 

They use straps, nylon line, rope, or whatever. You just can't glue them on, it will look strange if there isn't some kind of attachment method that is apparent. You can't use the ol' Velcro excuse.

Can you tie them with string?

Or are there hooks on the turret side?

On my model, I just glue them.

Whai do you think? Will it look strange?

Yes, they can go outside the bustle rack.  What is holding them on though?  

Thanks HeavyArty.

is it ok to put these items: sleeping bag and sleeping mat

on the side of the turret or on the side of bustle rack (not inside)?

Yes, they can be put on any tank.  Where they go within the company or battalion depends on the mission.

Thanks, HeavyArty. for all the replies. 

I am still not very clear about  mine rollers and TWMP
You wrote that usually every company has some tanks with mine rollers and TWMP,
so does it mean that I can put mine rollers or TWMP to any tanks?
Would it be acceptable?

Nope, some units have an SOP (Standard Operating Procedures - unit rules and regulations) that shows where each tank will put their gear.  Most of the time this goes out the window when you are actually in combat though.

I am making the stowage and I am going to put them in the bustle rack and on the side of the turret

Is there any rules that i should know?

Dark green.

Thanks for the replies Rob & HeavyArty.

I am using tamiya paint, what kind of green is suitable?

Dark green or olive?

Rob covered the spare roadwheel.  For teh antenna, in 1/1 scale, they are 8' long.  In 1/35 scale, they are 2 3/4 inches long.  Both antennas are the same.

Spare wheels come from the manufacturer painted in green. The crews don't bother to paint them until the tank goes in for a new paint job. The type of paint used on the tanks is hazardous and special equipment must be worn while painting.

So it is acceptable to put mine roller and TWMP to 2nd Platoon, F Company, the tank that I built?

Thanks for the decal explanation. That really  clears the matter.

I am putting the CIP panels and the stowage on the tank now.
I notice that spare wheels that on hull rack is often painted dark green,
why is that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:M1-A1_Abrams_1.jpg

why don't you paint the spare wheel desert sand like the rest of the tank?

And I have to make the antenna by stretching the sprue.
How long should the antenna be?
Should both left and right antenna be the same length?

Usually, every company has a couple blade and/or plow tanks.  There is no set vehicle number that can or does carry them.  It depends on the mission and what is needed where.  Often, the Co XOs tank (A65 for example) carries them.

The LDR, DVR, GNR, TC decals are sometimes placed on each of the four 40mm ammo cans that Trumpeter has for you to add onto the rear turret bustle rack.  They denote a 40mm ammo can for storage for the LoaDeR,  DriVeR, GunNeR, and Tank Commander.  Some units use the ammo cans and some do not.

Sorry I can't be more specific, but ther are no set rules on these.

thanks for the explanation, HeavyArty

about M1A2 tanks that use mine roller kit and TWMP,

can I know what platoon and company?

I want to make the appropriate decals for it.

are these information available on the web?

one more question: on the trumpeter decals, there are these words:

LDR DVR GNR TC.

where should I put them on the tank?

there are no instruction about them.