I have an IP-M1 built and ready for paint. It's a bash between the Tamiya M1 and M1A1/2 kit. I want to make it as a CAT Shoot 87 tank. I need markings for it. Does anyone make the Bill the Cat and CAT Shoot armor symbol for the turret? And I need bumper numbers for any tank from that year. One last thing. Some drawings from this shoot show the bumper numbers on a yellow background, is this correct and should it be sand color?

Thanks in advance guys.

Jim Johnson
Soldotna, Alaska

I think I have Bill The Cat dry transfers from Verlinden I can send you. I do not know anything else about that tank. I think it is in a Squadron book on the Abrams In Action. According to the Verlinden sheet there are many markings that go on the tank other than the Bill The Cat cartoon. The tank barrel nickname is DANGER ZONE, there is an American flag and Canadian flag, bumper codes are included too.

There are a total of six tanks on the sheet. The one you are interested in is from 8th Cav, 3rd AD.

Let me know.

Bob

The Verlinden serial number is 508 (don't know if it is still in their catalog - check their website).

Bob,

Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I'm trying to get a fence up before the snow starts flying, which will be very soon here in Alaska. I would very much like to get that sheet from you if you can part with it. Will you take a trade or payment? I tried looking for the sheet at the Model Mecca / VLS web page but I couldn't find it. I'll be putting paint on the tank this weekend some time. I think it's an all green tank but there is very little referance.

Thanks Bob.

Jim Johnson
Soldotna, Alaska

The Squadron book shows the bumper codes on a yellow background. The Verlinden set has it with a white background. There is a police-like amber light on the back deck. It appears Cookie Sewell is credited with taking the photos of this tank. You may be able to get in touch with him via Missing Lynx or Hyperscale. Looks like the whole platoon was marked that way. Tank D65 is depicted in the Verlinden set.

The artwork depicts one tank in all green and another in woodland camo. D65 is shown in a b/w photo in the book and it MAY be all green, but the left front fender leads me to believe it is woodland camo. Maybe someone else with the book can chime in. I still see this book in the hobby shops, so maybe you can still get it.

VLS does not carry Verlinden; big split years ago. I checked Verlinden's site and it is not available anymore. I can part with my set. It cost me $6.95 years ago. No big deal. I can't imagine needing anything of similar value except some modern stowage gear for my AFVs. But is really no big deal. Give me your address and I will mail it Monday.

Bob

There are a couple good photos of D65 (CAT 1987) in Osprey Elite Series 26: Tank War-Central Front. Overall forest green, and from the colour photos I believe the bumper codes are on a regular sand background. Unit? marking is 3▲4▲8 (D Co, 4/8th Cav, 3rd AD). Black stencilling on fume extractor looks like 'Death Master', and there is stencilling for the crew members. In the Verlinden Warmachines Abrams book, 'Danger Zone' has a bumper code of D23, and 3 white rings around the barrel near the muzzle end. There is a good close up photo of the Bill the Cat artwork in the new Histoire and Collections book on the M1 too. Don't know why the cover artwork on the Squadron In Action book shows a 3 colour cam, all the photos I've seen are plain green.
Military In Scale April 2001 has an article about building this tank too.

Cheers,
Jim

I have the book, and from the looks of it, D65 is in woodland. Note the faint dark area above Bill's left leg that corresponds with the close up of Bill in the bottom left pic

Hmm, you're right, upon closer inspection under better lighting, page 38, bottom photo of Bill there seems to be a camo pattern. Yet in the Verlinden book, page 14, it's really hard to see any cam pattern, it looks monotone green. Looking through photos of German based vehicles from that time frame though (eg Reforger 87 and 88), all the M1 IP's are overall forest green. Seems odd that the CAT vehicles would have the 3 color cam, but who knows.

Jim

A M1A1 from CAT '89 in 3 color camo:


Paul

Bob,

Thank you very much.

My address is as follows:

James L. Johnson
329 W. Corral St.
Soldotna, Alaska 99669

I have several opened but unused Tamiya Modern Equipment sets. The most recent ones. Say the word and I'll drop one in the mail to you, it's the least I can do.

Jim

Okay James. The cots and MREs would be nice I suppose. I still have a bunch of OIF builds on my to-do list.

Bob

Bob,

Don't know if you got my e-mail but I sent the set off yesterday. Sorry it was late but I had a bad week at work. I'm a police officer and I spent the week in court on trial and still had to work my night shifts. No sleep but a lot of overtime. The set was not as "Untouched" as I thought but it is complete. I have about 4 of these sets and I hobbled together a complete set for you. Thanks a million for the decals they look great. Haven't got them on the tank yet but as soon as I do I'll try and post pix.

Thanks again.

Jim Johnson
Soldotna, Alaska

Thanks Jim. Glad you got the decals. I too have been busy. Just returned a couple of days ago from a weeklong trip. I think we all will be interested to see your pics. I am about to start a vignette for my HEMTT and then move right into a medium sized dio of OIF1 so I will certainly be using whatever you send.

Bob