While this subject has likely been done to death, here goes one more time ...

Can someone point me to any references which clearly show the "typical" uniforms worn by Bradley and Abrams crew? I'm going to try my hands at doing some large scale (200mm) figures and need some good photos of the appropriate uniforms, vests, helmet, etc ...

Thanks!

Uniform can be either Nomex CVC (Combat Vehicle Crewman) coveralls, BDU, DCU, or ACU, depending on when it is depicting.

CVC coveralls


Helmet is CVC helmet


Vest is either IBA (Interceptor Body Armor) as of about 2000, or CVC (Nomex) body armor.

IBA


CVC Body Armor


If doing 3ID or USMC crewmen during the invasion, they would be dresed in JSLIST chemical suits in either desert or woodland camo pattern.

JSLIST chem suit.

Gino ... just what I needed!!!

Question ... I assume that crewmembers carried the M9 in a shoulder holster ... is this the same one that you can buy after-market in tan or black ~ typically sold for the M1911?

The holster is similar, but cut for an M9 Baretta. It is usually in black.



A myriad of civilian shoulder holsters were/are also seen. I have a commercial shoulder holster that slings the pistol under one arm and a two-magazine pouch under the other. It is made of black fabric. Any civilian one will work and is authorized for wear. They are usually seen in black or green.

I would just add a couple of thoughts:

Most 3rd ID Abrams crews wore the smaller CVC Body armor Gino has shown here. I have heard it called the spall vest and the small flak vest. Some did wear the IBA, but not most.

Many, if not most Bradley crew members wore the IBA.

Finally, tankers wear a special boot designed just for them. It has a buckle (or two?) instead of laces. I think I have a decent picture of my co-author wearing his during OIF. Maybe Gino could find a manufacturer photo like the ones he has provided in this thread. I could PM the pic for you if no better ones are available.

Bob

Agree with most of what Bob posted.




The tanker boot is not that common though, most tankers wear standard boots. They look like below.

Black leather tanker boot:


Desert tan tanker boot:


Don't know of any figures with the tanker boot molded onto them. Wouldn't be to hard to convert some standard ones if you wanted to though.

I remember watching a documentary following a Marine unit during the initial push to Baghdad, and all the Marines, including both Amtrack and Abrams crews, were wearing coyote (dark tan) colored IBA vests with woodland camo chemical suits. The Track and tank crews were wearing CVC helmets that were either sand-colored or had tri-color desert pattern cloth covers over them like on the helmets the infantry were wearing. Another thing to keep in mind is it's not uncommon for either a Marine or Army tanker to have a pen or marker sticking out of a pocket or stuck in one of the loops on an IBA vest for use in taking notes or updating maps. Also don't forget the goggles, and depending on the guy's particular role in the vehicle, he might be allowed to wear sunglasses (probably not the TC or Gunner, since the glasses would get in the way when using the sighting systems for the vehicles' weapon systems).

Yes, USMC initially had only the Cayote Brown IBAs, they later started getting guys in with woodland IBAs. Same on the JSLIST suit, initially we (3ID) all had woodland suits. As we started getting in replacements (late Feb-early Mar '03), they came with desert JSLIST suits.




Most everyone in Iraq wore/wears sunglasses due to the intense desert sun. Sunglasses do not interfere with the optics. Currently, ballistic sunglasses and clear-lensed ballistic glasses are issued to every Soldier and required to be worn at all times when off the FOBs. They will save your eyesight if an IED goes off near you.

Gino, he did not ask about the USMC but you threw them in there. No desert MOPP suits for the Jarheads. And there were both woodland and coyote brown flak jackets in use. And yes sunglasses do interfere with the optics if looking through the GPS or GPSE. Out here.

I guess Marines have inferior eyes, no problem with US Army Soldiers wearing sunglasses in Abrams and optics.

Out here.

Gino, if you had ever performed the duties of a Tank Commander or Gunner you would know the real deal. You are out of your realm on this one. Sorry. Out here.

You are again under-estimating my qualifications. I was a Tank Commander as a 2LT for a while, also a BC on a B-FIST and a TC on an M981 FIST-V, which all have similar optics and I had no issues with sunglasses. If they are a problem, you can simply pull them up/off before sticking your eye to the optics too. So it is not out of my realm.

Yup, you said it. You took them off. Out here.

No, I said I never had a problem with them. If someone else did, all they would have to do is remove them. Either way, not an issue.

I wear glasses and I never had any problems with them interferring with optics while I was on a Bradley at Ft. Knox or when I was in 2ACR using the crusty old PVS-4, TVS-5, or the thermal sights we had.

Roger that Jeff. Outta here.

Gino ... 'nuther set of dumb questions ...

~ When you're wearing the shoulder holster, is it worn under or over the body armor?

~ Is rank insignia worn on a tab hanging off the body armor?

~ And is it common practice to "magic-marker" the wearer's blood type on the vest or helmet?

Any other suggestions on the Bradley figures?

Shoulder holster is worn over the body armor. It is also common to wear a standard M84 holster attached to the IBA loops.

M84 holster:

M84 on IBA:


Rank is either sewn onto or pinned onto the IBA flap in the center of the chest.

Blood type is usually put on the helmet camo band. Either markered in or sewn on above the ear. Usually a battle roster number is on the opposite side. It is used for reporting purposes and usually has a two digit code to ID the unit, then the Soldier's last initial and last 4 #'s of his social security #. Mine was WAQ5221.

No other pointers on the Brad crew. Good luck.

Thanks, Gino ... great information! This is definitely giving me enough to get started with ... now, just to find the time!