Guys-
What are the real life dimensions of the IFF panels on the M1A1's in Iraq?
Thanks

Bob

CIP panel information: http://call.leavenworth.army.mil/products/user-gui/95-3/chapter2.htm

Howdy,

O.K......not trying to beat a dead horse here, but, here in this short thread, and on another two threads, there has been some talk of IFF/CIP panels on OIF vehicles. I suppose the 'official' answer to the dimension question is 24"w X 30" T......correct?
Now (and here is where you all start getting mad at me), I just picked up the new Tamiya OIF version of the trusty M113 with CIP and stowage. In the box, parts #E-30, #V-3, and #V-4, are the IFF panels. Trouble is, there are 3 different sizes (technically), and each have 6 slats per panel,, not 5 as shown in the DOD tech drawing!
Sooooooo.....................?
Trying to drop a couple of these monkeys on my OIF M1A1 kit I'm building for an upcoming show, so I just want to 'do it right'.
Input?

Tread.

Tread, I don't recall seeing 5 slats panels in OIF... I have some M113 pics with CIPs and they used 6 slats panels as did other US vehicles. I don't think you can go wrong with using CIPs Tamiya provided in the kit.

EDIT: I found this site you might find usefull... there is some info on interchangable CIPs on vehicles on the bottom of the page. It seems to me most CIPs were 6 slats indeed, as all of my references show that almost exclusively...
http://www.monmouth.army.mil/peoiew/pmcid/cipmf/cipsec3.htm

Mario M.

Howdy Maki,

Thx for the reply. I also feel the Tamiya CIP's will work just fine. I will be using them (and probably 'cloning' them as well).
I do want to point you to Rob's (above) provided link regarding the 'official' size and configuration of the IFF panel itself. At that link you'll find a diagram that clearly (I hope I'm not misunderstanding the drawing) shows 5 slats on the panel.
Take a look and let me know.

Tread.

For what it's worth I screwed up too, in my original post I typed it out as 24"w X 30" t, when in fact the reverse is true, it's 30" w X 24"t.

Are all the IFF panels the same or are there different sizes used for tanks, apc's , other vehicles diffeent

That's funny. I got the dimensions from Rob's link a while back and along with some good closeups on ML I replicated a panel but didn't even notice that the one in the drawing had 5 panels.

I'm not sure what the Humvees have but I've seen CVR(t) vehicles with panels with the same width but are only 4 slats high. The Warrior appears to use the same size panel as the M1.

Paul

I think you should take a look at the photos of the vehicles in the OIF campaign and... you can't go wrong if you try to replicate that... The references you find on the real vehicles are IMO more important than what a manual says.

AA makes a great IFF set... They come in various sizes and various slat number.





I have checked my references and found out every version of the AA panel can be seen on vehicles during OIF/operation Telic. I think that's what really counts. If you need info on CIPs on a particular vehicle let me know... I know I can find a pic in my reference stash that could help with the size and placement of IFFs.

Oh yes, if you have patience you can make a jig for the CIPs yourself. Paul (ptruhe) made something like that, so he can give you some pointers there.

Mario M.

Below is the link to Paul's excellent IFF panels

HTH,

Shaun

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/12859&page=1

Paul sent me couple of his IFFs and they are very nice indeed... I know he used to take orders from you guys but don't really know if that offer still stands. Paul?

Mario M.

I did build 2 M1 sets of 3 for a guy on ML. Not that hard to do but I'm picky about the result. Bending is easy. It's cutting the pieces that is hard. It's a little tough shiny brass sheets under a light with a set snips but the magnifier helps. I guess a trade would work out the best unless I get a wild hair and build up an inventory.

The AA panels do look fantastic.

Paul

O.K. Maki, after looking at the AA panels, and adding it all up, I can only come to one conclusion....anything goes! No, just kidding. It seems to me that the 'official' link is simply a 'touchstone' to use, and that building upon that basic parameter the soldiers in the field built, more or less, CIP units that fit the physical size of the vehicle in question.
Makes sense.
I guess as long as it makes a 'cold spot', that's what counts.

Tread.


Oops, before I forget, to Paul: Thx for the jig info. I especially like the ability to bend and damage the panel with your method. :-)

Howdy all,

As a follow up question (as though we need more on this!?!). In looking at the Tamiya supplied IFF panels I noticed that one side has the (standard?) sharp edged 'lap' style, while the reverse side has a slightly different (what we call in the industry) 'dutch' lap style...........more variable's??

Tread.

Or is that just simply the 'back' of the piece? Seems like the could have made it reversible. Heck, I don't know, never seen one in the flesh.

Tread.

Treadhead,

Here's one of the best shots of an IFF panel I've seen. It was the inspiration for the ones I made.

http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/message?forumid=47209&messageid=1049407121

I shows the two separate pieces. Also the siding material, which is mounted opposite of how it's usually seen, has a top horizontal piece which one could assume is left over from cutting the section above it on the stock. The top piece is optional from what I've seen.

Paul