| Slappy | 01 Nov 2015 10:18 p.m. PST |
Yes I realize that the book has M1s what I have is a collection of M1A1s – looking at the era of the deployment I see there is a possibility of M1A1s – how else would this change the Bannon based formation? |
| Battle Phlox | 01 Nov 2015 11:00 p.m. PST |
I would just use them as regular M1s. Most people cannot tell the difference between an M1 and a M1A1 when they look at them. I can't. |
| Mako11 | 02 Nov 2015 1:08 a.m. PST |
I agree. I'm hard pressed to tell any of the variants apart. |
| Tgunner | 02 Nov 2015 3:48 a.m. PST |
1985 is a bit early for the A1, but it wouldn't change anything really. IP and A1 companies used the same basic TO&E. But your Team Yankee will look a bit odd with the M113 based mech infantry. You're better off with Brads. But on the other hand most folks (like the poster above said) don't know the difference between the two as the IP and A1 look an aweful lot alike. You could easily say they're M1s and play the game with what you have. I was on both and there really weren't that many differences really. Just gun and bore evacuator and the A2 upgrade hard point really. So feel free to proxy them. You have an old tanker's permission! |
| McWong73 | 02 Nov 2015 3:49 a.m. PST |
M1A1 I bet will make it into the game eventually, but yeah just use them as proxies. |
| McWong73 | 02 Nov 2015 3:51 a.m. PST |
Hey Tgunner, when you read about upgrades to the onboard systems, did that result in any major changes to layout? |
| Tgunner | 02 Nov 2015 4:13 a.m. PST |
Unfortunately the A2 was way after my time. We didn't even have the TMs on the thing, but that was 92-93. There were some weird features on the A1 like that mounting point on the turret and extra plugs where the radio was. When I asked about them, because I WAS transitioning from the M1IP to the A1, and our tanks were actual A1s, I was told, off handed, that they were for "future upgrades" meaning the A2. But nobody really knew what they were for. The commander's independent sight would be a huge difference though! I imagine it makes the TC's spot very different and I'm sure the digital system would change the loader's station some, a lot! I would love a tour of the A2… Might have to visit youtube to see if there's a video on it. Otherwise I'll wait for my long, grey beard to come in and maybe catch it at a museum! |
| lincolnlog | 02 Nov 2015 4:54 a.m. PST |
1st AD had M1's with the M113 in infantry units as late as 1990. In 1985 3rd ID would have been 100% M1's and M2/M3's. 1st AD, 3 ID were part of VII Corps, and were assigned to the HOF Gap. 3rd AD & 8th ID were V Corps and assigned to the Fulda Gap. Each corps had a Forward Brigade for a reforger unit based in the US. VII Corps was 1st ID, and V Corps was 2 AD. 4th ID also had a forward Brigade until about 1983. Point is, M113 mounted infantry with M1 tanks is not really impossible. In 1985 I'm sure there were still armor units equiped M60A3 in West Germany. |
| McWong73 | 02 Nov 2015 5:13 a.m. PST |
Cheers Tgunner, appreciate you sharing. Yeah, 85 is a pretty good year to base the game in, lots of the old kit crossing over with the new for nearly everyone. I'm hoping the M48 in German stocks will make an appearance at some point! |
| Irish Marine | 02 Nov 2015 12:57 p.m. PST |
That's great info guys, but if I may ask what would be the paint colors? Camo woodland or just green. |
| Mako11 | 02 Nov 2015 5:21 p.m. PST |
Just plain green, initially, when they were deployed, and then they eventually got the NATO three-color camo a bit later. |
| Lion in the Stars | 02 Nov 2015 8:12 p.m. PST |
Yeah, Abrams were apparently never officially painted in MERDC. |
| Tgunner | 03 Nov 2015 8:38 p.m. PST |
Humm. That's interesting. Our tanks at Ft. Knox were in three tones. These tanks…
were tanks I painted a zillion years ago when I was stationed at Ft. Knox. I used the tanks we had in the motor pool to model the pattern. It's hard to see in the pictures, but that camo pattern is three toned with a basic green color, greyish slabs, and some brown. This picture is a bit clearer
By the way, the goofy colored triangles were something I added way after my army time for Dirtside. I wish I didn't do that now. These pictures look like the pattern we used.
Was it used in Germany or was it just a CONUS thing? |
| zaevor2000 | 04 Nov 2015 3:42 p.m. PST |
I went through Basic/OSUT at Ft Knox in 83 and then was stationed in 2/6 Cav until orders came down for Germany in Sept
85.
(2/6 Cav was the training unit used to train officers for their Basic and Advanced courses). At Ft Knox all of the vehicles were painted in modified MERDC scheme with the Dark Green/Lime Green/Black/Sand(or was it white? pics from that time got damaged in a 92 flood… I got to Germany in Sept 85 and was stationed E Trp, 2/2 ACR. We had M1 IP
(105mm and Improved Armor package- one of the 19Ks can probably tell what the IP stood for)
from the time I arrived in Sept 85 to the time I ETS'd in Mar 88. They were ALWAYS in Forest Green. The Scouts had M113/ITV until Feb 87 when we transitioned to Bradleys. The M113/ITV series were in modified MERDC scheme (Forest Green/ Brown/ Black ). When we got the Bradleys there were overall Forest Green. So, stateside units may have generally had the fancy MERDC scheme or tri-color, but the 105mm M1s and the Bradleys(at least in the ACRs) were overall Forest Green. I have posted my pics from Germany on this forum several times… Frank |
