It's been a very long time since I did any modelling, but now the kids have grown up and left home, I've decided to pick it up again.

Some of the modern US armour kits these days have these bits on and I just don't know what they are and wondered if anyone can help?

On the front of the turret of the Abrams tank, i regularly see a square/rectangular shape with defined corners, one on each side. No idea what they are for.

I also see these grill type things hanging off the sides of some vehicles and wondered what they were too. I first thought they were some kind of air cleaning grills as I'd seen them on the side of some Bradley's too, but they don't attach to the main hull of these tanks and just seem to be slung to the side?

Anyone got any ideas?

Hello Karl,
they're combat identification panels , CIP s
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Identification_Panel

and

https://www.armyproperty.com/Resources/PS-Mag/CIP%20Information.pdf

Sean

Hi Karl, I am not sure 100%. But I think they are Infra recognition panels to signify friendly forces.

Here, on Armorama

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/388

H.P.

Sean and Dale are both correct...

"they're combat identification panels , CIP s"

which are ...

"recognition panels to signify friendly forces."

They appear as a reverse polarity (either white-hot or blackhot) square in a vehicle's thermal optics so the gunner/TC can ID a friendly vehicle and not engage it.

Great link by Frenchy as well.

Awesome guys, Thank you.

Not air conditioning then...

Nope, but there is an A/C compressor (VCU - Vapor Compression Unit) in the turret bustle rack on M1A2 SEP tanks. The M1A2 SEP has A/C to keep the electronics cool and working, not so much the crew, but it does cool them a bit too.

On the M-1s, you could always turn on the tank's Gas Particulate system and shove the hose up your shirt.