Would the Rye Field ODS Abrams be the right candidate for the MERDC camo scheme?

No, only original 105mm M1s were in MERDC. Starting with M1A1s, they were NATO camo.

Well dang. Thank you sir.

Further, the only MERDC camo'ed M1s were at Fort Hood and Fort Knox. Hood vehicles tended to be in the winter verdant colors while the Knox vehicles were locally (unit) painted in the four color summer verdant MERDC pattern which later shifted to a three color scheme, which was: light/loam green and dark green bands with black "squiggles". M1s that went to Europe stayed in the factory forest green paint.

M1A1s came from the factory with anti-slip coatings and in the three color "NATO-flage" CARC paint.

John

Thank you for that info, John.

Question - So if I sourced a 105mm barrel, then the 1991 Rye field Arbams would work?

No, its not that easy. An M1 had a shorter turret, 1/2 sized turret storage bins, no hole/cover for the CITV, 3-piece blowoff panels, no access hatches on the rear engine deck, another BII box as opposed to the NBC overpressure system on the left side hull, no anti-slip on the hull and turret, no rear stowage basket, different side stowage rails, different gun mantlet, different sprockets, etc., etc., etc...

It really was a totally different vehicle. That is why everyone is asking for an early M1 or M1IP kit. They are not easy to backdate accurately.

Oh dang. I had no idea that it was so different.

Ok.. So naturally, my next question is, how does the Tamiya M1 look?

Tamiya's M1 kit is OK, but not a great representation. Out of the box, it is pretty simplified and lacks details. The blowoff panels are not the correct shape. The tracks are horrible and molded incorrectly with the center guides in the middle of each track block as opposed to between them. Overall, the details are just soft and weak. The hull has a bunch of motorization holes too. It is typical late '70 to early '80s Tamiya. Definitely no up to current standards.

So I'm guessing there isn't a decent kit out for the M1?

Unfortunately, no. We're all keeping our fingers crossed that either Dragon, Meng, or Rye Field will come out with an M1 or M1IP.

Thanks Gino.