i usually build german ww2 tanks but am trying something new. I cant seem to find any pics or info on the interior fighting compartment of the m1a1 abrams tank, and need to know what color to paint, and which manufacturer you might recommend i use. thanks!!
I think its white
The interior of the M1A1 (and other US tanks) is gloss white. The inside of outward opening hatches is the same colour as the hull exterior.
On the other hand, the interior of US APCs and IFV’s is a pale green known as Sea Foam Green.
Phil beat me to it again. Guess it is the 15 hours head factor, G’day mate.
He is right on though. The only exception to what he has posted is the new Stryker APC. For some unknown reason, it has a gloss white interior, not the standard Sea Foam Green of all other US APCs.
Hey there Gino [:)]
Yerr, I wasn’t sure about the Stryker - thought I’d seen sometihng somewhere about them being white inside. I’m almost certain that at least some ASLAVs have white interiors too, not sure about LAVs in US service.
So to get a little more specific…
Items such as the breech block (black), the intercom boxes, radios (OD), ammo doors (dull aluminum) crew seat cushions (black), cadillac controls and TC overide (black with a red laser buttons), Halon bottles (red) should be considered when painting the interior.
regards,
Steve
USMC LAVs have Sea Foam Green interiors too. Still puzzled as to why the Strykers went white on the inside.
Maybe they ran out of sea foam green paint?
Seriously, though, if the GDLS production line builds Piranhas for export as well, I wouldn’t be surprised if it just paints the interior the same standard white as they do for the export vehicles. Nothing wrong with white as an interior colour, why make life difficult?
thanks alot guys, now the project can go on!!!
White kind of grabs the eye more. Due to tanks having smaller hatches this is not much of an issue, but on an APC with the ramp open it can be a concealment issue. I presume that was why they switched in the 1st place. 113’s started life with White troop compartments. Later they switched to the Sea Foam Green. Most likely for less conspicuousness (is that a word?)
I think you’re right about the ASLAV’s Phil. IIRC, when my brother-in-law took me for a looksee around 2/14’s lines @ Enoggera a wee while ago, the lads had the back door open on a couple of LAV’s & I saw white
Exactly. That is why I am baffled that the Stryker went back to a white interior.
when we used to paint transmissions and other drive train parts the color was white, but not refrigerator white. Closer to an glossy egg shell. The paint was very thick when it was sprayed on. Somewhere I have a clevis that’s painted that color, and I’ll see if I can get it scanned. There’s also the same O.D. they used in the seventies and early eighties on part of it too. I might add here that maybe a new interior color in the works as the AAAV gear boxes were something all together different in color. Closer to a very light green / grey color (I mean very light green). Might also add that we never painted an X1100 gearbox or final drive, but will assume that Lima painted them white.
gary
The only reason I can see why they interior of the Stryker is white is that they are simplifying their paint inventory. It’s more simple to keep one stock of white interior rather than having two.
In fairness, if you’re dropping ramp facing rear towards enemy where it’s close enough that the difference between white and light green makes a difference, you’re probably doing something wrong.
NTM
The Stryker is the next generation beyond the USMC’s LAV-25. That vehicle is more of a light tank than an APC. Therefore, it had the white interior. Since it was from the same lineage, the company continued to use white vs. the sea foam green.
At that point, you’re too close to worry about things like colors. But an enemy recon patrol operating in your backyard… well trained Sneaky Petes have a habit and ability of getting in and out and the white interior makes their game a little easier and your concealment a little harder.
I might just toss in here trhat I well remember seeing ACAVs with the sea foam colored interior while in Vietnam. Most were white, but there were a few green ones. Guess it’s whatever paint color is on the table for the day.
gary
I think the reflection off the white is more important, as it can be seen a long way off.
gary