I have the Legends gear stowage set for the M1A1 Abrams, and would like to paint the tarps, etc. appropriate colors. I presume dark khacki green for most things, but are any desert camo? Thanks in advance.

Hey Bill,
you can either paint the tarps khaki-green, light OD, or in three color BDU camo. (check out the pic of GOT OIL in my thread, it had a 3 tone tarp fitted to a green one on the right side bustle rack)

The ALICE packs should be either straight OD or woodland camo... Since you're building a marine tank I'd suggest you to stick to woodland camo, because most USMC units used the MOLLE system at that time, which was standart issued in five color woodland...
The duffle bags are usually an OD green color. The straps on the backpacks and the duffle bags are a green color, most other straps should be a sand/khaki color (but I've also seen some orange ones on a tank called "minor threat" )

Hoping this helps.

Cheers Max

Thanks, Max. Do you have a photo of the camo? CrossDelta makes some camo decals that might be nice.

Woodland camo rucksacks are only issued in limited numbers as dismounted radio bags. They are not usually found on tanks. The USMC MOLLE rucksacks are totally different looking than ALICE rucksacks and are indeed in MARPAT desert or MARPAT woodland camo, as below.

Woodland MARPAT


Desert MARPAT


Here is the MOLLE rucksack (in old-style Woodland BDU pattern camo)...


And the older green ALICE rucksack...


Both of the above styles were seen during the initial invasion ('03) on USMC tanks.

For the rest of the bags and tarps, a shade of green is most appropriate. Desert camo wasn't that common, with the exception of some 3-tone DCU camo rucksack covers that went over the whole rucksack, much like a cover on a spare tire for a jeep or the likes.

Hope that helps.

That's very helpful. I believe all the rucksacks in the gear set are ALICE, but I will have to check. Sounds like enough green and I'm good to go!