Hi all,
Thunderbolt379 here – I’m looking for research data to confirm the limited references I have on my latest armor project.
I’m building an Abrams circa July 1986, when the 1/12 Cavalry was exercising at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The individual vehicle I’m building carried the serials “ACX 1/12 CAV H-31” and wore a three-color cammo scheme.
What I’m trying to determine is whether the scheme was mid-green and dark green plus black, which seems to have been common at the time, or a desert scheme of sand, military brown (or field drab) and black. The latter scheme was illustrated by Don Greer for the 1989 Squadron book, but all the reference photos I have are black and white, and the two color schemes would look essentially identical in monochrome.
Can anyone shed light on this point, or connect me with a historic research source for the 1/12th?
Much appreciated,
TB379
This 1-12th Cav was the unit that was the Armor School’s officer training unit. They used light green and forest green with black squiggly X’s. It was a non-standard camouflage pattern and only used at Knox. Verlinden’s Warmachines #6, M1-M1IP-M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank is the best reference for the Armor Center M1IPs used during Armor Officer Basic Course in the 1980s. There are several color photos of these tanks. I went through that course in 1987 and used those tanks.
Any current info on 1-12 Cav will point to a unit in the 1st Cavalry Division. It was once 3-32 Armor and part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division but became 1-12 Cav in December of 1992. Last year 1-12 Cav became 2-7 Cav and 1-12 Cav moved to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division as an infantry battalion.
I served in 3-32 Armor when we became 1-12 Cav and eventually commanded a tank company there in the 90s.
Hi Rob,
Good heavens, I’m talking to the genuine source! I never cease to be amazed by the sheer depth of experience and talent that comes together on these forums!
Yes, I have the Verlinden book also, that was what tipped me off… Last week, looking at my references for the umpteenth time, I suddenly recognised the buildings in the background of those particular shots as the same installation as in the monochrome photos in the Squadron book. And immediately I groaned! H-31 would almost certainly be in the green/green/black scheme, not the sand/brown/black of that single color profile in the Squadron book.
Forest Green is a standard shade available in model paint ranges, as is off-black which would give a good scale effect for the black in the cammo. May I ask if you recall the designation for the light green shade? It may also be available, though with the Verlinden book in hand I could probably mix it easily enough.
I’m wondering, perhaps the sand/brown/black scheme was worn by the tanks resident at the National Training Centre at that time? I’ve always had a hankering to do that cammo – maybe on the next IPM1 I convert!
Thanking you sincerely,
TB379 (Mike, in Australia)