Did they have OD M151A2s? I'm building the Academy M151A2 with TOW launcher and I'm wondering if I can just paint the thing straight OD and swap out the decals - its painting guide makes no sense to me....

I bought a couple of those and I wanted to use the CARC/NATO 3-tone on one of them. If you're interested, check out the PDF file that shows that scheme here:

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_camo.php3

This page also has what your loking for: The older 4-tone MERDC camo which is depicted on the Tamiya/Academy M151A2s.

Hope this helps.

BT6

PS - Did you get the TAmiya US Modern Accessories aleady?

I believe, by the time the TOW equipped M151 came into service, new vehicles were painted 4 color MERDC. The original M151's in Vietnam era service would have been all OD, but there are several significant visual differences between these and teh original Tamiya/Academy kits. If you want to do a monochromatic Tow M151, you can do an Israeli version, but again, you're going to have to make some changes to the seating and equipment configuration.

The only help I can provide you is that in 1979, the M845 (M151A2 with TOW launcher) were painted in the Merdec 4 color scheme. This I know because I was assigned to the TOW Platoon, CSC 1 Battalion 5 Infantry, 25 Infantrry Division, Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii from 79 to 82.

Thanks guys! What'd they paint the "interior" - the floor and TOW platform?

P.S. Blackthor, not yet.... Word on the street is LILS Parksquare (a Philippine LHS for those who don't know) is restocking these kits this week.... leave some for me!

Lil's already has them...about 3 or so boxes remain from yesterday morning. I sent you a PM last week about it.

BT6

LT Blank,

Here I can help out some more on the Merdec 4 color camou pattern

Basic Interior: Same as a standard uncanvas M151A2.
Rear floor: folows the pattern
Missile rack (2 rounds, located where the passenger seat went): painted to match the camou pattern.
Pedestal: Sometimes were left in its OD state or had the Merdec pattern extended onto it.
Rear jump seats: Extent the Merdec pattern.

See my gallery here on Armorama, specifically M151A2 with TOW for photos of the TOW Gun Jeep.

NOTE: The Merdec pattern provided in the instruction sheet ARE INACCURATE. If you like, I do have the actual US Army MERDEC Camouflage manual. Just email me and I'll scan the pattern for you.

In 1976, my unit (CSC, 1/50 Inf, 2AD, Ft Hood TX) finally dropped the 106mm RR 1/4 tons from our scout/AT Platoon, exchanging them for 50% M825 TOW 1/4 tons and 50% M113A1 with the first series TOW platform launchers, you know, the suicide stand in the open hatch and catch API rounds while trying to track a missle vehicle!

As these were previously un-issued (i.e., brand new!) vehicles, the trucks were in their original OD semi-gloss finish with white US Army markings on the hood only. There were no stars on the trucks. Since the rest of the brigade was using the MERDC 4-color desert scheme, we had the extra-duty job of prepping and painting them before we took them on exercises.

The M113s were also solid OD and also required painting camo. Hope this helps. It seems that quite a lot of the National Guard equipment remained OD in storage, and somehow failed to be camo'ed out prior to being cycled out of the inventory.

Story is, if you want to follow the OD with white markings, there is a small history of it. I agree that the 4 color scheme is difficult enough with a box, like the M113, and even more challenging with a truck with inetrior, like the M151.

Just do it!

Jim Peterson

M75,

Which platoon where you in? The AT platoon? I was in the Redeye section during that time with the 1/50.




SB

Yep, when I was transfered from A 1/41 Inf in Jan 78, I was assinged to the AT Platoon. I believe the Plt Sgt was SFC Bradley. Served with the "Play the Game" from Jan 78 until Oct 79, during the Bde 75 (78's summer) rotation to Hohenfels, Ft. Irwin in summer 79 when I shipped out to CSC 1/5 Inf in Hawaii.