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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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Abrams Antenna Colour ...
pbennett
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United Kingdom
Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 464 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 03:23 AM UTC
On my small-scale models (1/72 and 1/76 scale), I tend to paint AFV antennas very dark grey (and a sand colour for WWII DAK vehicles). This is perhaps rather simplistic, as I gather that the 8-foot antennas on Abrams tanks are green. Although I have countless photographs, the actual colour is difficult to confirm.
Kenaicop
#384
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Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 04:16 AM UTC
As a former commo dog of many years in the US Army, I can attest to the fact that the AS-1729 antenna is green, a nato green color, as are the latest SINCGARS antennas. At least up until I stopped working with them around 1994
dtniedert
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: December 11, 2014
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 05:21 AM UTC

Quoted Text

As a former commo dog of many years in the US Army, I can attest to the fact that the AS-1729 antenna is green, a nato green color, as are the latest SINCGARS antennas. At least up until I stopped working with them around 1994


After that they are bare black metal finish and much thinner, like a bit more than a really thick coat hanger diameter. Other antenna such as Duke or EPLRS were same diameter as old type IIRC.
sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
Joined: March 30, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 11:24 AM UTC
Antennas are dark green. More of a NATO green as others have mentioned. Shown is the vehicle base and both sections that make a complete antenna.

dtniedert
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Kentucky, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 02:34 PM UTC
Black. Been like this for at least the last 20 years. In image below is an example. They do not have the fiberglass insulation around them anymore. In the image it also shows that the EPLRS antenna mount position is covered.
dtniedert
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Kentucky, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 02:59 PM UTC
An example of insulation covered and bare wire side by side.
sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
Joined: March 30, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 03:15 PM UTC
For any curious modelers, I took that photo in 2004. The tank belonged to the 1st Cavalry Division. I have other photos. Echelon did a decal set based on the photos.
jonvan
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Florida, United States
Joined: August 23, 2015
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 04:02 PM UTC
Just curious on the tanks color in your last picture. I am going to do an M1A1, 1/72 Revell 03112, from that time frame and have quite a bit of Model Masters modern desert sand FS337722. This would be correct, as I am looking at early to mid 2000s? Thanks---John
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 07:29 PM UTC
As the pictures attest to above, both the older style(thicker, green, fiberglass insulated) and the newer style (thinner, black, wire-like) antennas are still in use. The type of antenna depends on the type of radio being used/attached to it.


Quoted Text

Just curious on the tanks color in your last picture. I am going to do an M1A1, 1/72 Revell 03112, from that time frame and have quite a bit of Model Masters modern desert sand FS337722. This would be correct, as I am looking at early to mid 2000s?


To me, the closest model color to CARC Tan is Testors Model Master Sand (FS33531). Once weathered, it looks spot on for modern US CARC Tan vehicles.

Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
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Posted: Tuesday, June 06, 2017 - 10:33 PM UTC

sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
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Posted: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 - 12:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text




Great reference shot.
sgtsauer
#065
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Missouri, United States
Joined: March 30, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 - 12:29 AM UTC

Quoted Text

As the pictures attest to above, both the older style(thicker, green, fiberglass insulated) and the newer style (thinner, black, wire-like) antennas are still in use. The type of antenna depends on the type of radio being used/attached to it.


Quoted Text

Just curious on the tanks color in your last picture. I am going to do an M1A1, 1/72 Revell 03112, from that time frame and have quite a bit of Model Masters modern desert sand FS337722. This would be correct, as I am looking at early to mid 2000s?


To me, the closest model color to CARC Tan is Testors Model Master Sand (FS33531). Once weathered, it looks spot on for modern US CARC Tan vehicles.



I second what Gino says. I love the Model Master FS colors.
Biggles2
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
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Posted: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 - 01:07 AM UTC
Well that really clears things up - it's either black or green!
mother
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New York, United States
Joined: January 29, 2004
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Posted: Wednesday, June 07, 2017 - 01:26 AM UTC
Start stocking up on those Model Masters enamel paints...parent company Rust-oleum will be discontinuing it's 2000's, 3000's and some of the teens numbered colors.

Happy Modeling,
Joe
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