Can anyone tell me what MM color an M-1E1 (yes, I mean “E”) would be? I’m trying to do the academy 1/72 version. The directions are not very clear. Thanks in advance.
I think Academy has it wrong, no such thing as an M1E1. US does not use E in the version designation of vehicles or pieces of equipment (unless there are A-D versions, which by that time, it would most likely be a totally new vehicle and be given a new number). The A refers to a change from the initial production version. The A1 or A2 refers to a further development of the changed vehicle, but it is still the same basic vehicle. For example, the M1IP (initial Production version) had a 105mm gun. The M1A1 was when it changed to a 120mm main gun. The A2 incorporates a new commanders cupola and thermal viewer, but it is still basically the same tank with some extras. It should be an M1A1. It can be either 3-color NATO using MM colors Medium Green, Field Drab and Flat Black, or sand using MM Sand FS# 333531.
Correction: There was an M1E1, it was the experimental vehicle for the M1 series. It would be painted either OD green or a forest green color. Sorry, thought you were talking about a production vehicle.
The M1E1 on display at the Ft. Hood, Texas 1st Cavalry Division museum is painted in all sand, but that’s just for display purposes. The initial M1E1 tanks were overall forest green and later NATO 3-color.
They are normally identified by the flat pieces of armor welded onto the front slopes of the turret to replicate the heavier armor that was to be fitted to the M1A1.
Thanks a ton, and you’re right, the small history section mentions this tank as being a prototype.