I am in the process of building an M47 using the Italeri kit. After searching the internet for many hours, collecting many pictures, and consulting a few books, I reduced the possibilities to two: a Korean M47 in 4 color camouflage circa the 1980s or a Jordanian M47 circa the late 1960s.

The Korean tanks wear 4 color NATO style camouflage but few if any markings.

What colors and markings are appropriate? (I can estimate the colors based on photos, but any specific help is appreciated. The markings are a mystery to me!)

Does anyone make good decals for a vehicle like this?

The Jordanian tanks wear 2 color camouflage and standardized markings--a flag-like symbol on the right front track guard, a unit information block on the left front track guard, Arabic writing on both sides of the turret, and a circle or triangle on each side of the turret bustle just forward of the storage container. I presume this denotes the company within a battalion.

What colors are appropriate for this vehicle? (I can estimate based on photos, but any specific help is appreciated.)

What is the symbol on the right front track guard and does anyone have a clear picture? I do not trust the color drawings in some books.

The white on black unit information block on the left front track guard changes from vehicle to vehicle. What does it mean and what works for a vehicle from the late 1960s?

The black writing on each side of the turret changes from vehicle to vehicle (or most color portraits have the Arabic writing wrong). What does it mean and what is appropriate for a vehicle from the late 1960s?

A red circle or triangle adorns either side of the turret bustle. Is a square also possible? Does it indicate the company? Is it always red?

I have one picture showing a red number with white outline on the back of the turret stowage bin. Is this appropriate for an M47 from the late 1960s? Is there any variation in the style and color?

Do the markings on the front track guards repeat on the rear track guards?

Does anyone make good markings for a vehicle like this?

Did any Jordanian M47s used during the Six Day Way fight and survive? How would such a vehicle be marked?

I apologize for all the questions but I have gone as far as I can without help. All help appreciated!

-Doug

From what I remember of the few M-47s I saw in Korea in 1986-87 don't use NATO colors. The Koreans used white instead of sand, the earth color was far more brown (kind of a violet brown) and the green was a dark green.

Maybe these links will help:

http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/modern/fkm47.htm

http://www.missing-lynx.com/gallery/modern/szm48.htm

Chris "toadman" Hughes
Toadman's Tank Pictures

Thank you, David. Your memory confirms what I am seeing in pictures. The camouflage pattern resembles a NATO pattern but using somewhat different colors.




Thank you, Chris. I was actually aware of both those builds but had not looked at either one in a few months. They do help, but I am still hoping to find primary sources.

-Doug