_GOTOBOTTOM
Armor/AFV: Modern - USA
Modern Armor, AFVs, and Support vehicles.
Hosted by Darren Baker
USMC M1A1 - Questions on Markings
cabasner
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 03:39 PM UTC
Hi All,

I've been intrigued with the below image of a USMC M1A1 ever since I first saw the picture (I know this is a USMC copyrighted photo...use for info only). I plan to duplicate this tank/image, using the Meng TS-032, USMC M1A1 kit, but, I have no idea what the markings look like on this tank on the front bumper and the rear of the tank (the info on the image shows this to be a training tank at 29 Palms). Based on the image, can any of you Marine tank guys give me an idea what the markings might look like, or at least, the best way to come up with markings that would at least not be glaringly wrong, and, ideally, what aftermarket decals might be best to use. Many thanks in advance!

Epi
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: December 22, 2001
KitMaker: 3,586 posts
Armorama: 2,556 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 10, 2019 - 04:24 PM UTC
Curt,
USMC tanks usually don't have bumper numbers like Army tanks have, just registration numbers and sometimes, chevrons.

Here are a few sets I found for you.





cabasner
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 - 12:47 AM UTC
Pete, you are always there to help!! Many thanks, my friend!
dinovision79
Joined: August 27, 2007
KitMaker: 41 posts
Armorama: 37 posts
Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 - 01:30 AM UTC
Hi Curt,

The first few posts in this thread could help you, especially #5, wip, finished photos and history of the tank.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/201781&page=1

Regards
Denes
Tank1812
Visit this Community
North Carolina, United States
Joined: April 29, 2014
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 886 posts
Posted: Monday, February 11, 2019 - 01:31 AM UTC
As I recall the EAP vehicles at 29 Palms did not have chevrons cause they where rental tanks, just registration numbers (USMC 6 Digits).
cabasner
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Thursday, February 28, 2019 - 04:30 PM UTC
All,

Thanks to everyone who posted in this thread. Now, I'm left with one last challenge...finding the decals for the 'Grim Reaper' on the smoke grenade lockers. I've tried writing to c2jerrett, at Missing-Lynx who built his own version of this tank back in 2012, but I've never received a response from him regarding the decals (his tank is shown in one of links that dinovision79 posted; many thanks for that, Denes!), but even with the decals that my friend Pete Becerra posted, that particular decal is not included. I guess, worst case, I could recreate this tank without those 'Grim Reaper' decals, but I think it would be lacking a significant identifying feature.

I would truly appreciate hearing from anyone with any thoughts about these decals!!!
cabasner
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: February 12, 2012
KitMaker: 1,083 posts
Armorama: 1,014 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2019 - 09:37 AM UTC
In case anyone cares, I got an answer about the Grim Reaper from Chris Jarrett, and the answer is that the Grim Reaper was hand painted after a bit of practice. I’ll need to see if my painting skills are up to the challenge! 😊
Kenaicop
#384
Visit this Community
Nevada, United States
Joined: August 23, 2005
KitMaker: 1,426 posts
Armorama: 1,316 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2019 - 09:49 AM UTC
Draw it out or find it on the web and make your own decals to place on the model, instead of painting directly onto the model by hand
11Bravo_C2
Visit this Community
Texas, United States
Joined: May 12, 2015
KitMaker: 475 posts
Armorama: 394 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2019 - 11:34 AM UTC
Some do seem to have a unit bumper #. This one from 13 MEU did sport a B3-2 on the rear.

https://goo.gl/1L7gQQ
errains
#045
Visit this Community
South Carolina, United States
Joined: September 23, 2005
KitMaker: 362 posts
Armorama: 350 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2019 - 01:27 PM UTC
BTW that is the same Abrams in the link as the one in the first post, same registration number...Koolness
 _GOTOTOP