I’m currently building Tamiya’s M4A3, and I was wonering about the colors used on the tanker uniform. The instructions call for dark yellow for the coveralls. Is this the color and if so was the jacket the same?
As I recall my Dad (M4 TC from Jan 1943 until July 1944) Said that the Coveralls were ODGreen and they wore “Ike” jackets which if memory serves were a buff color with slightly darker cuffs or Field Jackets when they couldn’t get the other.
Hope I’m not stearing you too wrong… Dad’s memory ain’t what it used to be… (or mine for that matter)[;)]
Tom
tnker101,
There are some pics in these links.
http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/figures/cd4004.htm
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1201_1600/vp1575.htm
Anyway, Sherm will be on this sometime soon. He can give you better answers.
Good luck.
Thanks guys…I thought the Tamiya colors were off. Ex18 thank your dad for me, I’m on M-1s and lucky to have the best in the world. Must of been tough in Sherman with the posibility of looking down a 88.
Chuck
It looks like the Verlinden colors are pretty close. The coveralls, called ‘HBT’ (for 'Herringbone Twill) are a light sage green when worn, a shade darker when new. The tanker jacket faded almost to a khaki when worn and the tanker helmet was close to forest green with tan to brown leather lining. The leather around the pressed fiber ear pieces was close to apple green (edged with brown liner color). Leggings were a light khaki / green (faded to khaki) and boots and other leather was russet… NOT black! The British wore black boots. IF the crew as in winter wools, then the trousers would be the darker OD similar to an Ike jacket (you saw that a lot in the ETO during the winter), usually faded a bit lighter… if they had the wool ‘field trouser’. OR they wore the lighter OD green wool trousers from the ‘dress’ or service uniform.
Don’t forget tankers got greasy… and still do! (hence the German black uniform to hide grease) and that the coveralls, jackets and such were almost always messy.
These colors are referenced from actual uniforms in my collection… so they are accurate.
NO MORE BROWN ‘LEATHER’ TANKER HELMETS!!![:D]
Ron
Ron
Thanks for the info. Oh yes we tankers get quite dirty…lol My wife hates to see my “nomax” coveralls after a long weekend on the tanks.
aaahhhhhhhhhhhh! CVCU’s! I remember when I had to buy mechanic’s coveralls for the tanks… BDU’s and / or fatigues got caught on everything! Now with the CVCU, I’m just such a happy camper[8D] I can’t tell you how glad I am to have those things when I’m on my gun (Paladin)!
I’ve also heard of red painted WWII tanker helmets… some theorize that they were for officers (yikes!).[:0][:0][:0], but I don’t know for sure. I’ve also seen black and yellow (only at Aberdeen for the yellow)… Same for the earlier ‘doughnut’ infantry style… painted black, brown, etc., whick were originally ‘artillery green’ (light pale green) for Rawlings mfg or olive drab for Sears Saddlery.
Okay, I’m babbling…[^]
Ron.
Ron: Not sure with your gun crews. But my tankers and I would love a better sew job on the rear of the CVCU. Half of my drivers and loaders butts are hanging out by the end of a gunnery cycle…lol Not the sight I want to see.
Kudos to Ex18b’s dad and tnkr101 for their valiant service to our country. Yah, your right tnkr101, you do have it easier. Couldn’t imagine an 88mm locking in on Sherman. [:0] Our Abrams have proved almost invincible. [8D]
“It is well that war is so terrible, lest we grow too fond of it.”-R.E.Lee
You’ve got me laughing here. We have a very bad name for the seats coming loose that way… yes, It bugs me. Thank goodness I know how to use a sewing machine (thanks to Ms Hansen in high school). Now look what you’ve done. I have those images of loose CVCU’s in my mind!
Heh, heh, heh, heh… ouch.
Ron.
LOl…My wife sews them up for me…lucky I guess. The last time we had our CG in the tower watching my platoon going down range, and just my luck out of the hatch comes Pvt. butt hanging out. Not a good day for the Plattoon Sgt. (me).lol
We get yelled at for no LBV when we run off the gun between missions to do our ‘duty’… Our CSM is a real stickler about it. What makes it worse is that the old man’s right.
Ron.