It came out looking awesome.  Great job on it.

Thanks guys! I do agree about it being a very interesting looking scheme. I suspect that without any changes, it would have been more suitable for various climates and terrains worldwide, than the later MERDC or NATO camo schemes. It’s not too dark for open terrain or too light for more wooded areas, and with the addition of foliage or camo net sections would work well in more heavily vegetated areas. It’s too bad that the Army didn’t stick with it. 

Dual Tex really must have been a PITA to apply and maintain. Far more so than MASSTER or MERDC.

MERDC morphed into NATO 3-color in the late 80s. The NATO scheme was actually scientifically developed for Germany, but like the woodland pattern BDU, was effective in other areas.

Painting camouflage was a royal PITA back in the day. Solid sand was much easier.

MERDC and the subsequent pseudo-NATO we used was like a weeklong chore for the entire battalion. A lot of the work done after duty hours were done by the extra duty personnel, you know, guys doing time for Article 15 infractions, and at night so the quality of work wasn't as good as if the actual crew did it during duty hours.

And we had to do this twice a year. We never had enough of the right colors, soldiers poured gallons of paint into one another just to make the paint last, coming up with odd shades of green and browns.

No two tanks looked alike afterwards.

I don't know much about accuracy but the camo looks great! Nice work on the decals too!

She's really coming together.

Interesting story about the camo paint in your units Rob. We had no such similar dealings in stateside units where I served. Whatever camo scheme the vehicle arrived in, in stayed in. It was quite a mix when I left.

Gamera, the accuracy is as best I could do with the information I found for this project.

You already know how I feel about this beauty Carlos. Lookin' really good so far bud.

I don't even bother posting anything from my phone anymore. Complete waste of time. Hopefully the guys and gals up top will get this all sorted out at some time or another.

I don't like busting into this post, but how do I introduce a new topic? I used to know, but now I can't figure out how to do it. Help is appreciated.

Rob Gronovius

No two tanks looked alike afterwards.

And, you had to find the one guy who could be trusted to get the pattern outline right, then the rest of the paint crew skylarked or skived off until it was a dry edge, and painted up to it, so there was a blotch or blobby line that never matched.

That assuming the "15's" weren't just gundecking the fill and leaving it thin and blotchy in the middle.

Never seen anyone tough enough to try and model that, even with PE details down to 1/64 inch.  Of course, it would be a giant pain to do, and just look like sloppy modeling.

I shouldn't laugh, but that is very funny. 'course I've been drinking a little this afternoon!

stikpusher

Interesting story about the camo paint in your units Rob. We had no such similar dealings in stateside units where I served. Whatever camo scheme the vehicle arrived in, in stayed in. It was quite a mix when I left.

Each crew prepped their own vehicles; taping off vision blocks, lights, etc.

Then all tanks were painted green with the air gun run off of a compressor.

Then the platoon sergeant and tank commanders had ancient, poor photo copies of the camouflage scheme. They chalked off their individual tanks, so the quality depended on the individual doing the chalking and how much they cared about their ride.

Then the brown and black were either spray painted or hand painted with brushes that you'd use to paint your house.

So you have 18, 19, 20 yr old kids painting this stuff.

Yes, I was 19 on paint detail for turning in our vehicles into the POMCUS site at Brunsen at the end of REFORGER 84. I was a bit peeved about that because my vehicle was done, and we were supposed to have a pass to Amsterdam, but those were cancelled by the Btn or Bde SGM due to turn in processing at too slow a pace. Needless to say, I was unhappy and did not do my best work, nor was it “by the book”.

Rob Gronovius

Add to that, the ones painting after duty hours were the poor soldiers being punished, so you know the paint jobs were marginal at best.

 

I can imagine... Duty days are long enough... if soldiers got paid by the hour starting at minimum wage for PV1’s... lol!

Yes, many folks don't believe that the old school duty day for soldiers in the barracks begin at 5:30 am, with PT formation at 0600, personal hygiene from 0700-0730, breakfast 0800-0830, first formation 0900, final formation 1700.

Then Article 15s are after duty hours 1700-1800. And any additional duty chores are after that til about 2000 (8 PM).

Then if you have CQ, guard duty, CQ runner, Staff Duty Officer or SDO driver, we still had guard mount and soldiers at the motor pool guarding it. Some days, it seems like your day never ends and the next day just begins.

Any progress on this one Carlos? 

Btw....Merry Christmas pal.

Merry Christmas Joe. Yes, some minor progresson this one, but nothing worth taking photos of yet. Trying to finish up the bumper codes on the rear... one more letter to apply... lol.

Oil wash on...

Letting it dry so I can clean it up tomorrow

Oh cool, she looks sharp!

Gamera

Oh cool, she looks sharp!

 

Shes getting there... not too much more to do.

Today’s update, wash clean up...

A flat coat, a bit of detail item painting and some last parts to glue on and this one is done.

Yeah, lookin' sharp!

Looks awsome Stik!  Right at the goal line.  Putting a big whip on it?

Yes, it needs an antenna. The standard FM two piece type.

It is coming along really nicely.  Can't wait to see it finished.

stikpusher

Yes, it needs an antenna. The standard FM two piece type.

Yup, 2 3/4 inchs in 1/35 scale.

Man, that thing looks spot on. 

BK

Nice! And you might finish her before the end of the year! 

Thanks guys!

I’m calling this one finished. I built this as a quick project, with minor modifications, so as not to slow me down. I did not correct the rear suspension, which Academy molded as the A2 type, but then again, no one will see that on my display shelf. I painted in the 70’s era MASSTER scheme used in Europe by 7th Army units using Humbrol enamels. Markings are a mix of kit decals and decals from my decals drawer. I tried scratching up the antenna using telescoping brass to better replicate the tapered shape of those things, but it did not turn out as well as I wanted. Better luck next time I guess. The map case and medium ALICE pack are from my spare parts bins. All in all a fun little project.

Comments and critiques are welcome.

It  looks very good. The colors are different than the usual and the washes look just right . Well done!

Thanks PJ. I’m very happy with how this turned out. Definitely not the same ole, same ole on this jeep. Between OD and MERDC, there was MASSTER. Oh and 2nd ID in Korea had their own camo scheme going at this time as well.