I’m finally getting back to that Italeri M110 after waiting on decals. I went with these nice ones, as per Carlos’ suggestion. [Y] Okay now----question for the guys who would know this; what would be a plausible and correct set of numbers to put one the M110? If anyone can help, I’d be most appreciative. Be as detailed as possible–I"m an admitted dummy when it comes to these kind of schemes. How many tan rectangles or squares would be on the front/rear? And where exactly? And then what numbers or symbols?
Thanks for taking the time, guys, This is the last hold-up to me finishing this old bear! [:D]
Follow the placement guide on the kit instructions. Use the tan backgrounds in place of the yellow ones on the kit. Duplicate the number/letter sequences on the kit decals.
They basicly read from left to right: highest controlling unit- army/corps/division/brigade followed by the battalion level and type of unit, when viewed from the front looking at the vehicle this is on the left side, or on the actual vehicle’s right front
on the other side is the sub unit- company/battery then platoon and within the platoon.
an example would be 5I 3FA21 B12 which translates out to 5th infantry division 3rd battalion 21st Field Artillery B battery 1st platoon vehicle 2
Those would have been the bumper codes on our M110s at Ft Polk with the guns in A,B, or C batteries.
Thanks a LOT, buddy!! I’ll use that designation as a tribute to ya for the help you’ve given me in getting this straightened out!
I didn’t know you had experience around the M110! While I have your attention, what color would the straps be on the seats and the jerry cans? I’m guessing OD or light green instead of leather? And are any of the sighting mechanisms on the side of the gun mount any other color but camo? Any one of those painted white or black? [:)]
You’re very welcome Karl. I saw M110s mostly in two places- at division parades on the parade field, and in the Divarty Motor Pool when I was over on that side of post. They were alwys well behind us in the field. M109s operated more closely and occasionally near us.
Straps are gonna be Olive Drab nylon or Olive Green cotton webbing. I have no idea about the color of sighting mechanisms. That would be the area of Redleg, Heavy Arty, or Hans (if he ever returns). Based off of other equipment that I worked with, potentially those things could be in the old Vietnam semi gloss dark Olive Drab, MERDC Forest Green 34079, or the later CARC/NATO Green, if that item was replaced due to being broken/worn out.
The black tringles represent armor units, either division, battalion or brigade. If the M110 was in an armored division (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). the leftmost code would be 1^ 2^ or 3^. M110s were assigned to division artillery and were a divsion level asset or assigned to Corps level artillery units not assigned to any division but could be attached as needed.
since I gave you the codes for an artillery unit in an infantry divsion “5I” (should be a “I” with the cross top and bottom usually, no triagles were used.
Here is a link that explains them overall. It dates back to WWII, but the system is still pretty much the same as then, with some modifications
my mortar sights were ODish/NATO greenish. i would lighten or darken your green just a bit for contrast. also the sights, especially with an open vehicle, would be kept in their box until deployment so they wouldn’t be dinged up. any dust in them would be from muzzle blast or en placement weather. they would not be on the vehicle for painting. straps the same coloring just for a bit of contrast. all tools would probably be painted too though i sometimes don’t on my builds for a bit of contrast.
5 gal cans for your era is a crap shoot. in my tank unit they would have either engine oil or transmission fluid (roughly 17 gallons in the engine and 21 gallons in the transmission). we would paint the tops of the cans red for one and yellow for the other and they were heavily stained. rest of the can was greenish. we must have had water cans but damned if i can remember but didn’t have the round modern orange and white ones.
does this thing have aiming posts (pre GPS)? they would look like cleaning rods for the gun. if so they are red and white striped and possibly in a canvas case if stowed outside.
as for unit designation stikpusher has it. as i mentioned earlier we didn’t do tan backgrounds in '76 in 3AD in deutschland. i would stick with divisional nomenclature as he mentioned. a 5th armored division (which was gone after WW2) would have a filled triangle 5(triangle) instead of 5I. in the rear the unit stuff is on the left facing the vehicle and the sub unit stuff (bumper number) is on the right.
and no american flags on our vehicles; we weren’t a peacekeeper force.
now i’m having flashbacks and need a flippy (grafenwehr lowenbrau beer with a porcelain top that popped off to the side)
Hi Wayne—we just cross-posted, but I just saw your message—cool stuff, and great info and advice too! Thanks too! That’s especially cool to know about the sights and the can-tops; I’m going to do that!
No aiming stakes on this anywhere as far as I can see. Kinda a relief, as painting those suckers is always a pain. [:$] I think I’m go to go now, straight to the finish line! Be looking for an update, and possibly a “Finished pics”!
THANK YOU AGAIN!!! [B] (By the way, now I"m “jonesin’” for a tall “Weissbier”!) [:D]
Yeah, once you learn how to read US Army bumper codes, they are vey easy to decipher. That was the most inclusive list that I could find online. The other ones left a lot of holes unexplained.
BTW those decals look like a great set. How much did they cost you and where did you get them from?
And you and Wayne have me thinking about some German beer here as well… some Spaten Oktoberfest sounds good about now… certainly next October in honor of my 1984 visit there…
OK now everybody sing along " Ein Brotchen, ein broootchen…"[B]
I got those decals from the link you posted—“TL Modelbau”. They had to ship from Germany, which is why I’ve been waiting a while to get back to the bench. They seem to be pretty good for what I need. I"m working on applying them right now. They were about $12-13.00?
It’s probably good that I DON"T have a beer or two right now–I’m a total lightweight when it comes to boozin’, as I don’t do it much. [:$] I"d probably wind up with “36-24-36” on my model’s bumpers–you know how those “Freudian” things pop up and bite you when you have a few brews, lol. [B]
Hey man, if you have any, have one for me, and I"ll catch you at the next AMPS if I can! [:D]
Cool… I will check and see if one of the local shops can order some for me. As much modern US stuff as I do, I can not have enough bumber codes.
Shouldnt those Freudian bumper codes you mention be in metric if your drinking German beer? [^o)]
For a little inspiration, here are the M110s of 5th ID at the docks (probably Germany as it was hotter than Hades when we left and returned stateside) during REFORGER 84. As you can see, at that time, no tan background to the bumper codes. Those came later, I want to say around '86 or so…
thought that was a reforger picture. i was in reforger '76 but we were the bad guys because we were stationed in germany. i remember being an xo and running into an “enemy” german recon unit. fortunately my insignia were hidden and i spoke some german so we had a nice visit.
i have a friend who is asst G-3 (civilian) at polk now. we taught MILES from the beginning (1980)together.
WOW, Carlos—that is one cool photo! Thanks for posting it!
Hey, were those breech blocks and muzzle brakes painted black as a matter of course? They look like they’re all painted hat way? Thanks for the great shot!!! I’m making god progress over here—pics tomorrow, at some point!
