I have come across images (on the Missing-Lynx website) of a model of the M1A2 Abrams in an unusual camouflage scheme ... sand/dark green. The tank is equipped with BFAs on the machine guns, turret-mounted 'kill light', Hoffman system over the main gun, and vehicle ID panel 'A21' on the turret sides. The codes shown on the front and rear of the vehicle are '194 (followed by a solid triangle) 1-70' and 'A21'. In addition to the main antennas and wind sensor is a very tall post ... whatever this is I am not sure. Am I right in thinking this is an OPFOR vehicle on exercise at Fort Benning (given the non-standard camouflage scheme)?

Regarding my question ... perhaps what I interpreted as green in the camouflage scheme is actually black that has faded to a very dark grey.

If you can post the actual pic it might be easier to help identify those items in question.

I know that back in the day the ACR out of Ft Irwin used a sand and brown camo scheme on US vehicles that played soviet equipment. I dont have any reference shots, but i did 2 rotations there and I remember seeing a M113 variant with it.

This is easy peasy.

It sounds like you are talking about the markings included in the old Trumpeter M1A2 kit and the 5-in-1 Trumpeter M1A1/A2 Abrams kit.

The markings included are for A21...same bumper codes as you stated.

http://modelingmadness.com/review/misc/vehicles/previews/trumpeter/01535.htm

Photos and a colour plate drawing of A21 are in the Concord M1A1/A2 Abrams book. The tank was part of Troop trials on the M1A2 with the 194th Brigade Task Force, 1-70 AR at NTC. A21 had the name "Another Bad Creation" on the barrel.

The colours are green and tan.

Paul,
That Sand and Forest Green was a "one off" scheme used by TF 1-70, 194th Armored Brigade for NTC Rotation 94-07, where units from Forts Benning - 3rd Brigade 24 ID and Fort Knox - TF 1-70 were equipped with the newest digital command and control aids and were pitted against the OPFOR. I don't remember what the overall outcome was a beyond the digital gear didn't work well in the beginning.

TF 1-70 was equipped with M1A2s for the leadership vehicles and M1A1s for the wing tanks - so a tank company, eight of the tanks were M1A2s and six were M1A1s. I good friend commanded B Co and his M1A2 was one of the first to "crap out", leaving him to take over his XO's tank. I planned the live fire portion of the exercise, so i was able to monitor most of the happenings from the "Star Wars" building to keep the operation on track.

FWIW

John

another odd ball color scheme was grey and white (kind of a dirty white). I remember that one well as we had a large photo of it on the wall at work. In the picture, it was setting in a large snow bank, and of all the M1's I've seen this was the neatest one I've ever seen. Looked a lot like a Leningrad Tiger from WWII.
gary