I’m doing an Abrams in the NATO camo paint scheme. I’m wondering if there is a standard application for that paint scheme? Or is it something that I can freelance?
Thanks, PF
I am not one for Modern Armor, but I believe there is a set NATO camo scheme issued for the Abrams.
I’m only aware of the three-color pattern. I’m not sure of its application. I assume it is factory sprayed according to Army spefications.
Hi PF,
I’ll join the others in a definite maybe. I think there is a set pattern for the scheme with allowances made for a plus or minus of 5% or so.
Think you will have to pretty much go by the book.
Regards,
Joe
Yes, there is a set scheme for each vehicle type based on the vehicle shape and size. There is a manual that shows the scheme. I don’t know the manual name or number, someone else probably has it. The directions that come with the kit should show this, they are usually pretty close.
I think the colors may be set but the scheme is probably different . If you look at war footage camo colors schemes are different. On one tank the front left corner maybe one color and on another tank the same spot will be a different green. I hope I’m on the same page with your question. I see this topic is old but someone else may read this as I have later.
Found the manual that gives the scheme for each vehicle.
It is TB 43-0209 COLOR, MARKING AND CAMOUFLAGE PAINTING OF MILITARY VEHICLES, CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS HANDLING EQUIPMENT
All Abrams come with a set NATO 3-color pattern. More recently, some newer tanks are painted all sand or NATO 3-color based on the destination of the tank. Having processed battalions worth of brand new Abrams tanks, I can verify that the scheme is identical.
Even before vehicles came in factory painted schemes, we had set patterns that units painted. To get an idea of how this was done, think of a large piece of your average construction equipment like a bulldozer or bucket loader. Stand there with a copy of a camouflage scheme a little bigger than your average model instruction sheet.
If you are fortunate, you have a working paint gun and paint the entire vehicle the base color. Let’s say forest green. Now have a couple of guys crawling around with chalk (yeah, like school teachers use) mark off the scheme on this large piece of equipment.
Make sure they label the various areas with abbreviations like BL for black, BR for brown and G for green. Now grab a couple of wide brushes like you’d use to paint your house. Start painting the brown and black spots by hand. Do this all day and into the night until you are finished.
Thankfully they now come with the factory scheme.
FYI-
At the Lima Tank Plant, the camo paint was done robotically and applied after the standard green overall was shot. Rob is right on the money, they were identical, tank to tank. Once the overall desert sand was implemented, the NATO scheme was mothballed. I can’t give you an exact date, but it was about a month before Desert Shield as I recall. Before the robotic NATO scheme was implemented, tanks were shipped to individual units in overall green base color, and it was up to individual units to apply the camo as Rob has described. We called it OD green, but, it was a long way from the traditional Army OD color. More of a “forest green”.
Steve
We are so happy for the factory paint job.
One vehicle depending on size takes a while.
I stand corrected. At least I learned something