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Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
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M1A1 Color Question
27-1025
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North Carolina, United States
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2018 - 01:50 PM UTC
Was going through a book about Reforger 87 and saw a number of M1A1’ and Bradley’s in overall green. Trying to pinpoint what that color actually is and is there an accurate paint available?

Correction: I think those would be M1IP in the photos.
HeavyArty
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Florida, United States
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2018 - 02:10 PM UTC
They were most likely Forest Green (FS34079). That was the standard green they were originally painted just before 3-color NATO camo was applied.
27-1025
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2018 - 03:20 PM UTC

Quoted Text

They were most likely forest green (FS34127). That was the standard green they were originally painted just before 3-color NATO camo was applied.


Thanks. That makes sense now looking at the pics closer.
GeraldOwens
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2018 - 03:52 PM UTC

Quoted Text

They were most likely forest green (FS34127). That was the standard green they were originally painted just before 3-color NATO camo was applied.

Was that a transitional color after MERDC was dropped? Because the Forest Green base color of MERDC was FS34079, and many early Bradley and Abrams tanks remained in that single color during the 1980's, (since enthusiasm for a four-color scheme with a choice of 12 colors quickly waned).
TankSGT
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Posted: Monday, October 22, 2018 - 05:04 PM UTC
The MERDC paint was not proof against chemical weapons and not easy to decontaminate if it at all. It was said to actually absorb the chemicals. Since use of chemical weapons was standard Soviet doctrine this was a major problem. It was not worth continuing unit camouflage painting until a new paint could be developed. CARC paint is much tougher and easier to decon. Since it is toxic when sprayed vehicles began getting factory cammo. It is very difficult to apply on a unit level and it has to be hand painted no spraying with out protective gear.

Tom
BunkerBuster
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Washington, United States
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Posted: Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 03:50 PM UTC
Here's a previous discussion on the M1IP forest green debate. FS34079 seems to have been the winner from that discussion.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/270415

It's interesting that after M1A1 introduction, there was a different overall green used. Anyone have pictures of early M1A1s in overall green?
HeavyArty
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Posted: Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 11:43 PM UTC

Quoted Text

They were most likely forest green (FS34127). That was the standard green they were originally painted just before 3-color NATO camo was applied.


Sorry, don't know what I was thinking when I typed the above FS#. It should be FS34079 for Forest Green. Corrected above.
Frenchy
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Rhone, France
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Posted: Wednesday, October 24, 2018 - 12:41 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Anyone have pictures of early M1A1s in overall green?


3-64 Armor M1A1 Platoon at Hohenfels (1987) :



H.P.
mkp
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Hessen, Germany
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Posted: Sunday, October 28, 2018 - 08:26 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Anyone have pictures of early M1A1s in overall green?


3-64 Armor M1A1 Platoon at Hohenfels (1987) :



H.P.


It seems that the heavy dust and mud cote is hiding the NATO-3-color-pattern on this vehicles. All M1A1 in Germany already came in 3 color pattern.
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