The local armor club recently decided our next group build: NATO Armor, 1975-1980. To say the least, I do not know much about the armor used during this time period or even what resources to go to to find out. Can any one help me out with what armor was in use with which NATO member or any websites that would have that information?

Thanks.

Keith

M60, M151A2 Mutt, M113, M35 2 1/2 are just a few US armor during that period. I pretty sure thier are some older type Leopard variants from Europe. The British Cheiftian.

Hey Keith, your name sounds so familier where in Texas are you from?

Hi Pete:

I am in Houston. Were you perhaps at the Houston IPMS show recently? If you are curious, the armor club meets at Hobby Island, the best hobby shop in town.

Keith

Maybe thats it. I heard or seen your name in conjuction with Houston. Never been to Houston IPMS show. When I lived up in Dallas/Ft. Worth, I mainly went to Scalefest and Supercon up there. Since I moved back home, I've been to Fiestacon here and this past weekend at ASMS in Austin. I'm strating to make my rounds.

Well, anyways, Rob and Gino would be the right guys to ask about NATO armor during that period.

Pete:

Consider making the Houston show next year. There were over 600 models entered by more than 100 people. In addition, the facility was new, large and very nice. Hopefully Rob or Gino will notice this post and offer some tips.

Keith

I'll keep that in mind for next year!

I'm not sure on this, and I know Rob or Gino will correct me, but I think the Bradley and M1 didnt come into service until the mid 80's .

I just came up with another one, the Marine AAVP7. Grenada was during that time frame, right? Ah, another one, the Seriden with the 82nd Airborne.

For good pics showing a U.S. armored cavalry unit around this period, www.eaglehorse.org. Of particular interest is their "Border mission" in West Germany.

Mr MIddleton,

Main British AFVs in service during the period you mention:

Cheiftan(including variants)
Abbot
FV430 series apc
CVRt-scimitar/scorpion/spartan etc
CVRw-Fox

all available in kit form too

regards

joe

Keith:

US used M60a1, a2 and a3, M113. Germans used our 113's and the Leopard 1's and maybe the a2's. French had the AMX 30 and the Brits the Chieftan. If you are up to traveling, we are having the Squadron scalefest up here (Dallas area) in 2 and a half weeks (MAY 21). Seems 5 or 6 of us will be there for an Armorama get together....sure would love for you to make it too



had to edit as first I wanted to call you Gary (friend from high school), then I saw Joe and finally got the right name on 3rd try

Several of us were assigned to units in Germany during that time frame including myself and Steve Joyce (blaster76) among others. Steve was a tanker, and I was in a Divisional Field Artillery Battalion.

The SP 155mm Howitzers used were the M109, then M109A1 and probably at least one more version prior to 1980. (I left in 1977). For the 8" the M110 was used. I'm not certain when the M110A2 wound up being fielded. In the FA units we had M151A1s or A2s, the M561 Gamma Goats, M35A2 2 1/2 tons, M54 5-tons which eventually were replaced with a beast known as the GOER. We also had M577A1 CP tracks, as well as the M578 light recovery vehicle and the M88A1 heavy recovery.

I'll let Steve or one of the other guys take you through what the tankers and infantry guys had.


LMAO, because his post hit before mine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tom

Don't forget the Centurion.

The mid-Cold War era has probably the most amount of armor kits post WW2. Any of the US M60 series kits except the Desert Storm era USMC M60A1 is good. I'm not sure when the M48A5 came into use, but it would be close enough to pass.

There are a couple of M109 variants, probably the A2 and A3 would be good as would the M110 8" SPH. There's also the little M102 105mm howitzer and the older M101 105mm howitzer.

As mentioned the M113A1 or M113A2 and other M113 FOV like the M548 cargo carrier, M577 command post, M106 mortar carrier, M730 Chaparral, M163 Vulcan ADA, are all proper for this time frame.

Someone also mentioned the more common M35A2 and M151A2.

Here's a few more armoured vehicles I served on or with that you can add to your list.

M48A3 (90mm)
M48A5 (105mm) (trp D 4 Arm. Cav, 187 Inf .Bde. USAR, )
M125 M113 carrier for the 81mm
M113A1, Tow under Armour, (CSC 1/50 Inf, 2AD, 77-79)
M901, Improved Tow Vehicle
M825, TOW Weapon carrier
M151A2 Ammo carrier for TOW weapons

The British Army would also have had

Centurion 105/165AVRE/ARV

M107

M109

M110

Ferret scout car

Saladin A/C and Saracen APC

Humber Pig APC (Northern Ireland)

When my battalion transitioned from M-60's and A1's,we recieved M-60A2's.Also at the same time,our Combat Supprot Co. turned in it's M-114's and got M-113A1's.Our company maintenence section still had a gasser M-88. (++) (++)

Gentleman:

Thanks for all the responses and information. I actually have in my stash the Academy M163 Vulcan, so that will work. When did the US Army switch from plain old OD to the 4 color(?) camo scheme used before the standardized NATO camo system was adopted?

Steve: I was thinking about trying to get up to the Dallas show (more for the Squadron open house than anything else), but the trip would requre an overnight stay and I am not sure SWMBO is willing to go for that.

Keith

Keith

Canadian Forces Europe (4CIBG/4CMBG) used Centurion, Leopard, M113 family, M109, Ferret and some that I'm probably forgetting.

Dave

I have a copy of training circular Camouflage Pattern Painting (TC 5-200). The manual is dated 28 August 1975 and describes how to remove the white admin and star markings prior to camouflage painting.

It has the proper camo patterns and some color samples. A scanned version of it used to be in my motor pool gallery. I should still have the scans at home. Incidently, I believe it has the pattern for a Vulcan.

Wow, that would be great if you can locate that Rob. Thanks for your time and effort on my behalf.

Keith

Keith, I was assigned to the 1st Bn 2nd FA with the 8th ID in Germany from Oct '72 through Aug of 75. I have a picture taken in our motor pool in about July/Aug of 1974 which shows a mix of M109 short tubes and M109A1 long tubes. It was taken during the period when we were being re-equipped with the new model.

Both are painted with the "7th Army" four color scheme. We had applied the paint using a similar guide to the one Rob mentions, to the M109 short tubes which had been OD with the white stars, and markings. The M109A1s we got came from the depot already painted that way.

I'm not certain exactly when we applied the 4 color scheme, but it was probably in the Feb-Apr 1974 time frame, because I also have a shot of me standing next to my FDC M577A1 at Graf during our Battalion Test in May of 1974, and it's got the 4 color.

Tom

Lynx C & R (aka M113 1/2)

Dont forget ....
Centurion Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle..BARV :-)

aye
BARV