An M1 Abrams modeling question

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

Hey gang,

I have the Tamiya 1/35 M1 Abrams kit with the mine plow included. I was considering painting it in the 3 colored nato paints scheme of green and dark green etc…My question is which decals should go on such a paint scheme and where would I find them?

Thanks guys,
Tank

2

Try a KFOR scheme for Bosnia.

3

Ok guys,

So with the NATO scheme in mind…which decals would I use and where would I find them?

Thanks,
Tank

4

The decal variety is wide open. It depends on when, where, and from what unit (Division and Bn) you want the tank to be. Currently, 1AD and 1ID in Gremany, and 2ID in Korea are the only heavy units with 3-color Nato camo. I believe all stateside, heavy units are Sand camo.

The decals can be bought from Echelon, Archer, and others, or you can make them yourself from rub on lettering or on your computer with decal paper. Tamiya also sells their decal sheets for $3-$5 each plus shipping. Tamiya’s contact info: http://www.tamiyausa.com/contact/index.php

5

I have two sets of the Echelon decals for Abrams. They look great. Go with them.

6

Hey gang,

Could you point me to a good link to purchase these decals…? Do you have the address for Echelon or a place where they can be purchased?

Thanks,
Tank

7

Great Models Webstore carries both Echelon and Archer.
http://www.greatmodels.com/

8

Thanks for the site Arty,

I was looking specifically for decals for the 3-tone nato scheme…and there is one sheet at that site…

While I was surfing, I also noticed a great review site for decals:

www.cybermodeler.com.

Check it out for ideas…

Anyone have any other suggestions for abrams tank decals in 3-tone paint.

Thanks,
Tank

9

Check out the review at Perth.

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/echelon/echelon.htm

10

As I stated above, Tamiya sells the decal sheets out of their model kits. Both their original M1A1 and new M1A1/A2 OIF kits have options for NATO camo.

Call Tamiya at the number on the below page and tell them what you want.
http://www.tamiyausa.com/contact/index.php

You can get the decal placement and painting portions of the directions here. Just put M1A1 or M1A2 in the Search field. Click on the kit and go to color. These are the painting and decal portions.
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/plamo/index_e.asp?Bno=&Typ1_c=102

11

Arty,

Might I follow up by asking the main differences between the M1A1 and A2.
I have the abrams a1 and would like to paint her in the NATO colors and possibly decal it for KFOR…Could you tell me my options for painting this model in the NATO 3 tone scheme?

Thanks,

Tank

P.S.
Your reference links to the internet are really first rate Arty…thanks so much…I’ve learned a ton from your posts so far…so forgive me for all the questions but you’ve been very helpful.

12

Article I wrote with a full description of M1 varients and its development. This should explain the differances to you. Also, all M1A2s are sand in color, none in 3-tone NATO camo, they are all assigned to 3 Corps units (1 CAV, 3ID, 3ACR, 4ID), stateside. All Tanks in Europe (1ID, 1AD) and Korea (2ID) are NATO camo.

http://www.msnusers.com/armorama/Documents/M1%20Abrams%20Tank%20Variants.doc

Hit cancel when it asks for a password and it will continue to load.

For 3-tone NATO camo, the options at the above web site for the color/ decal placement (my previous post) there are a few. Again, it depends on when/where/ what units you want to model. Give me some idea what you are looking for and I can give you a better answer.

13

Well Arty,

Here’s my plan…while searching through the camo patterns for the tamiya kits…, I found a pattern in NATO camo for the 2nd platoon, A company, 1st battalion, 77th armor regiment, 2nd brigade, 1st infantry division, (mechanized), Kosovo, 1999. It shows an abram with KFOR lettering and the NATO Scheme…

Would I be able to use my Abrams M1A1 kit for that scheme?

Also, can I attach the mine plow with the kit, or does it need to be left off?

As far as the decals…I’ll simply use white letter cals I have at home or call tamiya as you suggested earlier…

Thanks for your input
Tank

14

Do you know if anyone makes dry transfer or decals for 3 ACR’s M1A2s in Iraq post-invasion?

15

Heavy Arty pointed me to Archer transfers…you might check them out…

Tank

16

Yes, the above tank would be an M1A1, 1ID does not have any M1A2s. The plow could be attached, but I don’t know if this vehicle actually carried a plow. One out of every 4 ( 4 tanks in a Platoon) carries either a plow or a roller, any M1 can carry either with the proper attachment parts. Bumper Numbers would be on the plow as well. Same as the tank, but with a “P”, for plow, after the vehicle #, for example - A21P.

Larry,
Don’t know of any company that makes those specific decals. If you have some referances for them, (the Tamiya M1A2 has that option, you should have them since you are building one, if not, check the link I gave above for directions), you could probably piece them together from some of Archer’s generic number and stenciling sheets or from the new Echelon 3ID sheets that come with lots of extras. You could also buy extra decal sheets from Tamiya or see if anyone has some left over from making one of the M1A1 versions. Could ask at the M-L seller’s forum, or at Armorama buy, sell, trade, forum.

Good luck.

17

Thanks Arty,

I have to decide whether or not to include the plow…It might make for a nice model with it. I appreciate all of your help and will share the build when I begin and have photos.

Take care everyone,
Tank

18

The polw does look good on it. Either way, I’m sure it will come out looking nice. Keep us posted.