Does anyone know what the correct markings are for an M113A3 with the locally-produced side racks from the initial invasion? I'm hoping to get some guidance on the markings to use on the bucket I am building for the ongoing OIF campaign. I have Tamiya's OIF decals that came with the kit, but I don't think they are correct for the units that used the side racks.

I've got many different reference pictures, but the bumper codes and other markings are either too small to make out or obscured by gear and dust/mud. I can't even tell if these tracks sported chevrons and other large unit identifiers (that's how much gear is piled on them in the pics I have).

If someone knows of or has pictures of a specific track that had the racks, please let me know. Thanks!

3-15 IN from 2 BDE, 3 ID was the unit with the locally made side racks. The Bn ID # was in the 40 series; 40 for HQ Co, 41 for A Co, 42 for B Co, and 43 for C Co. They would also have the chevrons as well. Bn ID#s and Chevrons were standard 3ID markings, almost all vehicles had them. An M113 would most likely be the Maintenance track and would have a bumper # in the 80s.

Hi
all the units that had armour with them in 2BDE had side bins (m2a2s and m113s)
2 Bde HQ
1-64 arm
4-64 arm
3-15 inf
also 4-64 arm had A cpy 3-7 inf attached from 1BDE and their m2s and m113s had bins on them. so in the case of A cpy 3-7 inf you would have 21 on the side and TF 1-64 as bumper markings.
i have a large collection of images of 3ID that i can email to you if you need some reference

mark

Mark is right, the AR Bns had M113s as well. I was thinking about Bradleys w/ 3-15 IN. All 2BDE had the locally made racks. The bumper # would still be in the 80s though, since M113s are still in the maintenance sections in AR Bns as well.

Thanks for the replies, guys!

Mark--I would definitely appreciate some pics of M113s, especially any that have markings visible. PM sent.

Gino--I think I understand your instructions. If I want a 1-64 headquarters track, the front left fender could read 3 I 1-64 [triangle]. The front right fender could read HQ 35 (or A82 if I decided on an A Co track). On the sides I'd put a chevron and a large Bn #.

I do have two other questions:
Would the chevron face forward for headquarters tracks?
What was the Bn # for 1-64 AR?

Thanks for all your help folks!

You basically have it. Here are the 2 BDE Maneuver Bn ID #s:

02 - 2nd BDE
40 - 3-15 Infantry
50 - 1-64 Armor
60 - 4-64 Armor

For the Chevrons, they are used to designate PLTs. HQ PLT would not have a chevron, but a slash; / . 1PLT is up; ^ , 2 PLT is right; > , 3 PLT is down; V , 4th PLT is left; < . Like this 2PLT, A Co, 3-15 IN:. 41>.

Also, the chevron points in the same direction, as you look at it, no matter which side it is on. So the 41> would look the same on both sides, or the rear.

Lastly, a HQ Company vehicle would have HHC 80. Only the HQ vehicles such as the Bn Commanders HMMWV or tank would have a HQ bumper #; such as HQ 6 for the Bn CDR's HMMWV, or HQ 66 for his tracked vehicle.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Gino--your explanations have been incredibly helpful. Now, I'm off to find the proper decals...