M48A5 Patton 1970s-80s Paint Schemes, Markings?

Rob Gronovius

I have an old one with leftover bits after I made an M60A3 before the actual full kit was released. Then when Hobby Lobby had an old rebox of the Monogram M48A2 on clearance for $7.50, I bought it to make it into an M48A2GA2. Of course, then Revell releases that full kit! But I do intend to finish that cobbled together kit.

 

Yes, I was thinking of picking up another Monogram A2 at HL, and then using that with the Lo kit to make an early A2G. But now (of course) Revell Germany has announced that they will be doing one of those. My guess is they will add the half sprue from their GA2 to their A2/A2C kit.

I have an old one with leftover bits after I made an M60A3 before the actual full kit was released. Then when Hobby Lobby had an old rebox of the Monogram M48A2 on clearance for $7.50, I bought it to make it into an M48A2GA2. Of course, then Revell releases that full kit! But I do intend to finish that cobbled together kit.

Rob Gronovius

 

 

M. Brindos

Top loading air filters, urdan cupola, and a 105mm gun.

That's an easy conversion. May have to see what I can coble together lol.

 

 

 

Yes, it is. The first time this conversion was available in kit form was from Lo Models in 1988-89 time frame. It included parts to convert the Tamiya M48A3 into an M48A5, the Monogram M48A2 into an M48A2GA2, and the old original Tamiya M60A1 into an M60A3TTS.

Once Tamiya released their M60A3/M60A1 RISE/passive and Academy released the M48A5K, it made the conversion rather useless.

I found one online for $10, but unsure of the retailer. http://www.mustang-hobbies.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=LOM-3501

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/lo-model-3501-us-tank-conversion-accessory--132627

 

I found one of the Lo conversion sets for $6 at a shop here secondhand, so I could not pass it up... not sure what I’ll do with it, since all of the conversions that it makes are now available as kits that I already have in my stash or have built... but hey, it was only $6.

M. Brindos

Top loading air filters, urdan cupola, and a 105mm gun.

That's an easy conversion. May have to see what I can coble together lol.

Yes, it is. The first time this conversion was available in kit form was from Lo Models in 1988-89 time frame. It included parts to convert the Tamiya M48A3 into an M48A5, the Monogram M48A2 into an M48A2GA2, and the old original Tamiya M60A1 into an M60A3TTS.

Once Tamiya released their M60A3/M60A1 RISE/passive and Academy released the M48A5K, it made the conversion rather useless.

I found one online for $10, but unsure of the retailer. http://www.mustang-hobbies.com/mobile/Product.aspx?ProductCode=LOM-3501

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/lo-model-3501-us-tank-conversion-accessory--132627

AUSTanker

The fact that there seems to be so few pics of US ARNG M48A5s out there- aside from yours- is motivating me to research them. Am I correct that in your pics, the M48s don't seem to have unit or individual markings- not even a simple "50" for 50th AD?

Or are the codes just hard to see in the pics? The big color photo of the one on display at Ft. Knox seems to have stenciled bumper codes in black, right?

No, not even a 50 since the tanks at Drum could be drawn by either the 50th (NJARNG), the 42nd ID (NYARNG), the 26th ID (MAARNG). These were not "go to war" tanks since the units would deploy to Germany and draw M60/M60A1/M60A3 tanks in theater.

As Stik says, 100 mph tape with temporary bumper numbers on the tape. Chalk was used to give the tank a temporary name on the side.

My trip with the NJARNG unit, they didn't even have enough people to draw two full tank platoons.

Yes, the one at Knox was a tank that had been bumper numbered because it was one of the few that resided at the Armory in Vermont. That tank didn't go anywhere beyond maybe a local parade in town and some driver training in the back yard, if the armory had one to use.

M. Brindos

 

 

HeavyArty

72d Tank Bn, 2ID tanks in Korea also had .50 cals on a pintle mount on the Urdan cupola and an M60D at the loaders positions (stateside tanks had 2 M60Ds), and smoke grenade launchers with smoke round storage boxes.

 

 

 

 

 

That appears to be an M-48A2 with a 105mm. I don't see the filter boxes. Are they blending in really well?

I love this photo, Gino. It has a lot to say.

 

Five return rollers, not an A2. A2’s were built with three return rollers. A0‘s & A1’s had five return rollers, and A3’s & A5’s were rebuilds of older models. A4 was the designation given by the US for Israeli upgunned and re engined early model M48s - essentially Israeli made A5’s.

I’m pretty sure that the diesel air filter boxes are hidden under the straw camo on the fenders.

M. Brindos

That appears to be an M-48A2 with a 105mm. I don't see the filter boxes. Are they blending in really well?

Looking at it closer, I don't think so.  I think the grass camo or the hose cover for the plow are obscuring them. Here is another picture of it.

stikpusher

 

 

AUSTanker

Wow, thanks, Brother- sounds like we chewed some of the same dirt as tankers at Ft. Knox and Ft. Drum! I may have to build an M48A5 in tribute to your unit- a "forgotten tank of the Cold War!"

The fact that there seems to be so few pics of US ARNG M48A5s out there- aside from yours- is motivating me to research them. Am I correct that in your pics, the M48s don't seem to have unit or individual markings- not even a simple "50" for 50th AD?

Or are the codes just hard to see in the pics? The big color photo of the one on display at Ft. Knox seems to have stenciled bumper codes in black, right?

How the heck would you tell them apart in the field or the motor pool, when you were assigned them?

As an M1 Abrams tanker in the 1/104th CAV, PAARNG, I'd sign for, let's say, M1A1 tank "A4," i.e., bumper codes "28 (armor triangle) 1-104" on the front left fender, and then "A4" on the front right... i.e., A Troop, 1st Platoon, Tank #4...and have to go find it in a motor pool full of rows and rows of tanks.

How would you find yours in a field full of them? Do tell...

 

 

 

 

 

 

An educated guess says temporary markings regarding field use. For NTC and REFORGER rotations where you draw vehicles out of a common use motor pool for the duration of the exercise, we would add markings using 100mph tape, the green stuff, not OD. That stood out a typical visual range but not excessively so. Chevrons, or other geometric shapes and hash marks would denote company and platoon. Since you pretty much lived with the vehicle from the time you drew it until you turned it in again, you didn’t need to worry about bumper numbers or motor pools really. You had the serial number memorized after a few days of doing the daily 2404. And those were stenciled on the vehicle.

As far as the paint scheme goes, if you plan on going with the solid overall ”OD” tank, use dark green, FS# 34079, that was the basic overall green in use that vehicles were usually delivered in at that time, not actual OD, which was phased out with the MERDC schemes. The MERDC schemes were then usually applied at the receiving unit. Or sometimes they were simply left in the overall Dark Green.

And as shown in the photos above, you can choose from several different MERDC schemes, Spring or Fall Temperate (withholds or without the Sand highlight), Gray Desert...

 

Vallejo's "U.S. Forest Green" for those who like Vallejo products.

Its a close match.

HeavyArty

72d Tank Bn, 2ID tanks in Korea also had .50 cals on a pintle mount on the Urdan cupola and an M60D at the loaders positions (stateside tanks had 2 M60Ds), and smoke grenade launchers with smoke round storage boxes.

 

 

That appears to be an M-48A2 with a 105mm. I don't see the filter boxes. Are they blending in really well?

I love this photo, Gino. It has a lot to say.

AUSTanker

Wow, thanks, Brother- sounds like we chewed some of the same dirt as tankers at Ft. Knox and Ft. Drum! I may have to build an M48A5 in tribute to your unit- a "forgotten tank of the Cold War!"

The fact that there seems to be so few pics of US ARNG M48A5s out there- aside from yours- is motivating me to research them. Am I correct that in your pics, the M48s don't seem to have unit or individual markings- not even a simple "50" for 50th AD?

Or are the codes just hard to see in the pics? The big color photo of the one on display at Ft. Knox seems to have stenciled bumper codes in black, right?

How the heck would you tell them apart in the field or the motor pool, when you were assigned them?

As an M1 Abrams tanker in the 1/104th CAV, PAARNG, I'd sign for, let's say, M1A1 tank "A4," i.e., bumper codes "28 (armor triangle) 1-104" on the front left fender, and then "A4" on the front right... i.e., A Troop, 1st Platoon, Tank #4...and have to go find it in a motor pool full of rows and rows of tanks.

How would you find yours in a field full of them? Do tell...

 

 

 

An educated guess says temporary markings regarding field use. For NTC and REFORGER rotations where you draw vehicles out of a common use motor pool for the duration of the exercise, we would add markings using 100mph tape, the green stuff, not OD. That stood out a typical visual range but not excessively so. Chevrons, or other geometric shapes and hash marks would denote company and platoon. Since you pretty much lived with the vehicle from the time you drew it until you turned it in again, you didn’t need to worry about bumper numbers or motor pools really. You had the serial number memorized after a few days of doing the daily 2404. And those were stenciled on the vehicle.

As far as the paint scheme goes, if you plan on going with the solid overall ”OD” tank, use dark green, FS# 34079, that was the basic overall green in use that vehicles were usually delivered in at that time, not actual OD, which was phased out with the MERDC schemes. The MERDC schemes were then usually applied at the receiving unit. Or sometimes they were simply left in the overall Dark Green.

And as shown in the photos above, you can choose from several different MERDC schemes, Spring or Fall Temperate (withholds or without the Sand highlight), Gray Desert...

72d Tank Bn, 2ID tanks in Korea also had .50 cals on a pintle mount on the Urdan cupola and an M60D at the loaders positions (stateside tanks had 2 M60Ds), and smoke grenade launchers with smoke round storage boxes.

Top loading air filters, urdan cupola, and a 105mm gun.

That's an easy conversion. May have to see what I can coble together lol.

Wow, thanks, Brother- sounds like we chewed some of the same dirt as tankers at Ft. Knox and Ft. Drum! I may have to build an M48A5 in tribute to your unit- a "forgotten tank of the Cold War!"

The fact that there seems to be so few pics of US ARNG M48A5s out there- aside from yours- is motivating me to research them. Am I correct that in your pics, the M48s don't seem to have unit or individual markings- not even a simple "50" for 50th AD?

Or are the codes just hard to see in the pics? The big color photo of the one on display at Ft. Knox seems to have stenciled bumper codes in black, right?

How the heck would you tell them apart in the field or the motor pool, when you were assigned them?

As an M1 Abrams tanker in the 1/104th CAV, PAARNG, I'd sign for, let's say, M1A1 tank "A4," i.e., bumper codes "28 (armor triangle) 1-104" on the front left fender, and then "A4" on the front right... i.e., A Troop, 1st Platoon, Tank #4...and have to go find it in a motor pool full of rows and rows of tanks.

How would you find yours in a field full of them? Do tell...

I commanded an M48A5 one summer at Fort Drum. I was in the Vermont Army National Guard and the unit was a part of the 50th Armor Division. I also did a summer AT with a NJARNG unit at Fort Drum that was in the 50th as well and used an M48A5 too.

The tanks were painted in the standard 4-color MERDC scheme. As far as markings, the tanks at Drum didn't have any markings. They were a draw fleet and whatever unit showed up, drew whatever tanks they needed. They used them for less than two weeks and returned them to the equipment concentration site.

The only tanks that carried markings were the few at the various armories at the unit home stations. That was one or two for the entire company.

The 2nd ID tanks did have the complete set of markings while the tanks were is use in Korea. They were used in the late 70s and early 80s until replaced by the M60A3TTS.

I left the unit in 1986 when I received an active duty commission, but was told that the 50th Armor Division transitioned to the M60A3TTS in eary 1989. The Vermont's brigade (86th Brigade) became a part of 26th Infantry Division later in 1986. I am not sure when the 86th Brigade transitioned from the M48A5.

Here are some photos of the tanks I took in 1984 and 1985 at Fort Drum, New York.

Here is a photo of a former Vermont Army National Guard M48A5 that was on display at Fort Knox, Kentucky in 2005.