"First crack at camo: feed back please" Topic

I did a pack og GHQ T-72s and BMPs. Here are their opponents, M1s and Bradley IFVs. This is a "winter" camo scheme. This is my first crack at it. Not quite happy with it but we'll see. These modern vehicles give me problems. They are covered in so much little detail that they are hard to paint. If the paint is thick enough to stay put it looks "glopped" on. Too thin and it runs like a wash. Those Bradleys especially…yikes.

Still have all the detailing to do but thought I'd ask the hive mind what they think. Colors used are all Coat d'Arms: Tan Earth, Military Green, Buff and Panzer Gray (a very drak almost black gray)l

I'm currently scouring Google to find pics to figure out what details are needed. So far road wheels and Bradley tail lights.

I like your camouflage. Contrast is nice and the coverage is good. Well done sir.

My 2c would be they're too brown, but good technique.

Looks sharp. I can't comment on correct colours or whatever, but they look like they'll stand out nicely on a gaming table.

What are the blue thingiemagiggers on the base? Unit markings?

I might as well get this off my chest. From a historical standpoint, NO M1s or M2s in USAREUR used the MERDEC camo. In West Germany in the 1980's, they all came with CARC paint – Chemical Agent Resistent Coating. At the time CARC came in only Forest Green. The tanks and BFV's with MERDC were fielding to units at Fort Hood (1st Cav and 2nd AD) and at the school houses – Fort Knox for tanks; Fort Benning for the BFV.

I know the new FOW Team Yankee shows them in MERDEC, but BF got it wrong.

Will you put a wash on these?

Mark

@Weasel:

Yes, they are platoon markers. I give players Unit Cards and the color on the base matches the color on the card. A white bead designates the command stand.

@Onomarchos:

I'm a total noob for the Team Yankee period. So it would be more ocrrect to field troops in just plain forest green, no camo at all?

These need a wash, dry brush and detailing. I'm just scanning for photos to find bits here and there I can paint to add a little color/interest to the models.

They look good. A little more green could be useful.

Abrams and Bradleys in plain green, M113-based vehicles in MERDC, grunts in woodland camo.

Well crap. Green Americans, green Soviets?

Mark,

Just as LitS states. BTW, the green is not the same greens used in the MERDC patterns. It was FS-34079 Green, available from Testors Model Master. I have seen it called Forest Green. The M1s and M2s stayed in this color until the 3-color NATO scheme came out.

But remember that all other US equipment would have been in MERDC … M113s, M109s, etc.

If you are doing a winter scenario, I have seen M1s with whitewash in patches over the base green.

Mark

The camo pattern is nice and sharp. Good brush work. A little black, or flesh, wash would blend it together nicely.

While Onomarchos is very correct on the actual color of M1s in Europe at this time. We are playing a hypothetical conflict. Nothing says you can't leave your M1s in MERDC.

Troops loved CARC, 1sgs hated it. No more taking our Saturdays just so they could look good on motor pool inspection. Of course they found other ways to ruin our few weekends.

Owen

And, any suggestions for a proper shade for the early CARC?

Owen,

Try Tamiya XF67 NATO Green.

Mark

Thanks Mark

Really sharp!

I don't know what color Soviet green is, but I'm going for a lighter "Warsaw Pact" green for mine. Still pretty similar to my Abrams if I'm honest. There's only so much to be done.

One other note about MERDC and other modern patterns: they should all be identical on any given vehicle. MERDC was still hand-painted, but following a very specific guide. Getting into the 90s, the patterns are robo-painted at the factory and thus REALLY identical.