I'd like to tack a related question to this tread. I'm thinking of doing a Tamiya M2 and I was wondering if the Meng interior set would have anything useful I could use?

The Meng turret interior would be a good addition, without the BFT screen in front of the BC. It even comes w/VRC-46 series radios in the Meng Kit. The rest of the Meng interior is too new. You want to use the rest of the M2 interior on the driver's and crew areas.

So I got the modern infantry today. So I should have all the kits I need for the M3 (A0) portion woth the dismounts. Need opion though of the 10 figures what two would be best. I know they are not in MOPP here might not do that for this round. Say no chemical weapons we use ok .



[I wouldnt mind if there is an after market kit for the M3 (A0) metal barrel and other parts. Since only see kits for A2+

The two figure sets you have are basically the same. The desert set has two additional figures (Dragon gunner and kneeling-pointing guy), the other four and all the gear is the same in both sets.

Any PE set or barrel for an M2A0 will also work on an M3A0, they were basically the same vehicle with the same details. Only the four gun ports were blanked over and the gun port periscopes removed on an M3A0, the rest is the same.

The accessory set you have is really designed for OIF, not late '80s - ODS time frame. Specifically, the MREs are different and the sleeping bag and the CIPs (louvered panels) were not used then. The set you want is the earlier Tamiya accessory set, Modern U.S. Accessory set #35141. It has MREs, weapons, gear and equipment correct for the mid-late '80s.

Maybe just a bit confused with the firing view ports so I am going to post my question with pictures. After looking at some M3 images I noticed some still had the view ports on the drivers side hull as seen below





So with my M3 Keep what is in green and remove what is in red?





Also could you PM me about the PE sets?

I will probably get that set as well(Runns to Amazon and Ebay to hunt!)! The current set I know has some modern parts but was more getting it for the Alice sacks since those I believe are the same as the ones used in the 80's and a few other bags will work for an 80's theme as well!

*Edit last image opposite of drivers side paint made a mistake on 2nd red oval, corrected*

The first pic you show is an M3A1 (sand,brown) with the updated TOW reload hatch. The second is an an M3A0.

For an M3A0, delete the two periscopes in green in your first photo, and the two in red in your second photo.

I don't have any specific PE or barrel recommendations. I tend not to use PE unless it is in the kit, adding details using styrene. I usually use kit barrels as well.

You sure? Cause I can still see 2 view ports on the drivers side on the 2nd image. But on other older M3A0's and M3A1's no view ports on the opposite side. Also those on the drivers side seem to be the same as the M2's.

Maybe on some the periscopes were left on. You could probably do it either way and be fine. By the technical description of the type, they shouldn't be there, but clearly are in the pics.

Or they were only removed on the right side since that is where the TOW rack was and they may have been in the way there.

This pic supports that. No periscopes on the right side (where the TOW rack is). You can actually see the welded on plates blanking the holes off.



None here either.

I think you are right there about the extra missile rack on that side. Now only trying to find 11th cav references. Probably going for the mud smear camo job with the two. Now need camo netting for both Bradley and Abrams along with foliage...guess gotta go look around for those guides

I served with the 2/252d Armor. We were a NC ARNG roundout battalion for 2d Armored Division. We were the 1st Army National Guard unit to field the M1 and the M3, both in 1983. I served as a tank commander in the battalions headquarters section. Our M1 were the 1st series after General Dynamics bought out Chrysler and all had the anti-slip finish applied to half the front slop, the top of the turret and the rear deck. Our M3A0's had the anti-slip also applied, firing ports covered and the rear periscopes were not in the TOW loading hatch but behind the hatch as the M2. The side periscopes were omitted and plated over. The interior configuration was as seen in the previous photo with the two seats for the scouts. All were painted in the basic forest green and later painted to the 3 color NATO pattern in the late 1980's. Hope this helps.

M1's came with anti-slip finish applied to the front half of the front slope, the top of the turret minus the blow-out panels, and the rear deck. I served as a tank commander on an M1, M1IP and M1A1/M1A1H and all had the anti-slip finish applied. My battalion converted from M60's to M1's in 1983. To quote "Fury" it was "the best job I ever had".

Haven't posted in a while but I need to add in to this one! I was assigned to I Troop 3rd Squadron 2nd Cavalry, Germany, From 1985 till 1987 and the whole time I was there I didn't see any M-3s. We were assigned border patrol and we were still running around in M-113s and M-901s as well as M-1s. I had heard about M-3s with 3rd ID but I never saw them So........ Just my 2 cents worth.

I was in the scout platoon 1BN, 4th INF, 3rd ID from Feb 82-84. Yes i was there during the time you are trying to model. When we got the M1's they were field green; no MERDC

All the other vehicles were winter MERDC. As for the uniforms, your in a transition period from the old pickle suit, OG107 permanent press uniform to the then new BDU. I was in the second to last cycle in basic to be issued the OG107pp. After i got to Germany i got issued 2 sets of bdu's. After that i had to by my own.

after a while, the paint on the M1's tend to fade. Tamiya's
Xf-74 Jgsdf Olive Drab a real close match to the faded green on the m1's and m2's; heavy washes of flat black and lots of dust is a must.

One point to mention, the first M1's had a problem with mud building up under the rear side skirt that covered the drive sprocket and throwing the track. look real close at the kit your using to make sure the last panel covers half of the drive sprocket. that is an important little detail that is often overlooked. ever try to putting a track back on while shin deep in mud? I have.

i have lots of photos of what your trying to model because I was there. Look me up on face book, Bartley Bass, if i can help futher.

One more note, your dismounts need to have the old style M1 two piece helmets with cammo cover. K-pots wern't issued yet.

bass