Micro Armor Tentage

redleg · Post by **redleg** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 9:49 am

I'm just coming back to the hobby after several years and I'm starting by building some basic mech and tank battalions. I'm going to build the complete TO&E including command posts as I remember them long long long ago. So for my command posts I need SICPS tents or tent extensions for my M577s. Does anyone know where I can get some in this sale? I thought I saw some resin ones way back in the day, but that was years ago ad I can't seem to find them now. I was going to try putty, or y kid's play doh, but I'm not talented enough to pull that off.

Thanks,

Mike

RedLeif · Post by **RedLeif** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 9:26 pm

I haven't seen anything like the SICP system in 1/285th 1/300 from any vendor out there.

I know this isn't exactly what you're looking for but you might try a pack of GHQ's small tents (TMB79). Back it up against an M577 and see how they look. Also consider the TMB80- large tent to join up with some of the smaller ones.

Best of luck

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Nov 25, 2015 11:32 pm

Redleg,

Don't have a clue about track extensions for M577s, but I'm interested, too. I solve the problem by putting my units in the motor pool, where the extension is only deployed for inspection and maintenance!

I build TOE units, too. Don't wargame, but have been collecting since using these things in my AOAC course in '78. I enjoy the painting, too

The cost of full TOE is prohibitive, so I shoot for doing one full sample unit of each type. That's a LOT of TRUCKS for a mech unit, by the way. So, in a tank battalion, I have all the tanks, scouts, mortars, Redeye, bridges, medics, maintenance, command tracks, recovery vehicles. Just not the support platoon.

I assemble US battalions and Russki regiments.

My current collection -

J-series - 2 M1A1 battalions
2 M2 battalions
1 divisional cavalry squadron (2 ground troops only)
1 M60A3 battalion
3 155SP battalions
1 MLRS battery
1 M110A2 battery
1 Marine LAV infantry battalion supported by 2 M60A1(AOA) companies
1 light infantry battalion mounted in Commando series armored cars (before
GHQ made Stryker)

H-series 1 M60A1 battalion
1 M60A2 battalion
1 M113A1 mech battalion
1 divisional cavalry troop
1 armored cavalry squadron
1 M60 company
1 M48A5 company
1 combat engineer battalion
1 ADA battalion
NATO 1 British Armoured Infantry battalion (Warrior)
2 British Armoured squadrons (18 Challengers each)
1 British recce squadron
2 German tank companies
1 German Marder company
1 French tank squadron
1 French mech company
1 French demi-battery

Russian 1 motorized rifle division
1 independent tank regiment (51 tanks)

Next project is a transition J-series mech bn in M113A2, another H-series M60A1 bn, then a J-series regimental cavalry squadron. I've put out a call for unwanted GHQ M60A2s, also.

redleg · Post by **redleg** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:44 am

That sounds like a great collection! I'm starting over so I only have abut a battalions worth of US gear, but I ave big aspirations!

I experimenting with paper SICPS today. It didn't go so well, but I hae a 4 day weekend to figure it out!

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 5:47 pm

Panzorgator, I may need to have you help against Paul with your force. You have a very nice force. It appeNice job, nice flexibility for scenarios. What camo, or color have you done? Remember to come over Dec 19.

paul · Post by **paul** » Thu Nov 26, 2015 8:39 pm

panzergator, very impressive formations you have assembled.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sat Nov 28, 2015 9:50 pm

Chrisswim,

Good idea and I'd like to do that (have a couple of old college/Army buds in the area)but putting a division on the road between where I am in Kansas and Jacksonville might tie up a lot of holiday traffic and negatively impact my deadline report to the point that I wouldn't be much help!

Redleg,

I started out in 1978 with a US tank platoon and a Soviet tank company. When you eat an elephant, you take it one bite at a time. If I win the lottery, I will have the indoor facility at UF for my motor pools and maneuver space.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:22 pm

Paint schemes...

The Russians are all dark green. I may go back over them and add something. Still looking at it, but I'm far more interested in the NATO camo.

I have a mix of stuff, a lot still to be painted. The current M60A1 and the M113 battalions are a mix of that ugly USAREUR scheme from the early '70s and MERDC. The tank battalion includes s few M60s, which were found in the real battalions from time to time. The next A1 battalion will be MERDC. The M60A3 battalion is medium green and will remain so. The M1A1/M2 battalions are three-color NATO, as is the divisional cavalry troop. I know overall sand would be easier, but that isn't much fun. The Sheridan-equipped ACR squadron (USAREUR modified TOE) is the USAREUR camo. Simply put, H-series organizations (up to 1985) are in USAREUR and MERDC, while J-series organizations (1986 on) are or will be the NATO three-color. Exceptions are the interim J-series equipped with M60A3/M113A2 are medium green. I have a few units in OD - M-41 light tank company, M-47 tank company, M60 tank company, M59 and M75 mech platoons. The Marine battalion and the light infantry battalion are also medium green.

I use a primer white spray, then medium green, then brown, then black, then tan. We did not apply any tan to the MERDC scheme applied to our tank battalion in Germany in 1977. MERDC is applied in different colors according to where the unit is based. A tank battalion in Germany had a darker pattern than one at Ft Polk for instance. I have used Model Masters in the past, in cans, in a spray gun, and with a brush. I use a can of flat white primer and the primary color (usually medium green). For 1/285 scale, the rest is applied with a brush or the chewed end of a toothpick. It has been a long time since I painted anything, so I have to start over. Dark gray for road wheels and mg barrels. VERY wash of black. I get pics from the internet to refresh my memory. Search on the vehicle you want (M60, M60A1, M60A3, M113A1, M1, M1A1, etc), or units, or for REFORGER, a particular kaserne, Hohenfels, Grafenwohr, Wildflecken. You can also find patterns on the internet for MERDC and NATO. The USAREUR pattern of the early '70s has been elusive, but it is in some of the Osprey books. Paint a couple vehicles to try the pattern on and pick the one you like before you start in on your fleet. Small-scale vehicles look different than larger scales, so keep that in mind. When you choose MERDC in the European colors, for instance, the brown will easily take over the appearance if you don't reduce its ratio because it is lighter, so start with considerably less of it and increase as necessary. That is why I apply the medium green all over. Sand will REALLY stand out, so be very sparing.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:00 pm

Correction to the stuff on paint...

Change the word "tan" to "sand." I think we couldn't get the sand paint when we redid the camo. In any case, nothing in our fleet had the sand.

My M60A2 battalion picked'em up new in 1975 in OD green. They stayed that way until we could get the rest of the colors for the MERDC scheme, which was quite some time, so mine are OD. By the time that happened, I had moved to the M60A1(RISE) battalion next door. I don't know when the A2s got their MERDC, but I have seen pics of that unit in the MERDC scheme.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 2:09 am

Forgot to mention the Squadron "magazine" series as a painting reference. There are some other references to be found at hobby stores.

I recommend going very easy on the wash or it will look overdone. Look at the appearance of vehicles in the distance. Details are indistinct. I depict my stuff in the motor pool after a visit to the wash rack.

These are all my preferences and others may differ.

El Grego · Post by **El Grego** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 3:15 am

Redleg, I hope you find those tents or a reasonable substitute. It will make a HQ unit really stand out.

Panzergator, keep those little details coming! The vehicle camo info is very useful.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 5:43 am

Regarding my organization list above, Marines don't mount their infantry in LAVs. Each battalion gets six of them for a recon unit (last I read) and puts the infantry either on LPC or in the AAV. A battalion of AAVs seemed a bit expensive.

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 10:48 am

panzergator wrote:Regarding my organization list above, Marines don't mount their infantry in LAVs. Each battalion gets six of them for a recon unit (last I read) and puts the infantry either on LPC or in the AAV. A battalion of AAVs seemed a bit expensive.

According to doctrine, MCWP 3-14, the intent is for the battalion to operate as a distinct maneuver element and should not be broken down below the company level. With few opportunities to get an entire MEF into the field however they're probably sending out what they can to get experience. Of course the pub I have is dated 2009 so maybe something changed.

paul · Post by **paul** » Wed Dec 02, 2015 9:25 pm

Panzergator,

The Marine AAV is designed to carry 26 Marines from ship to shore. However, this number is greatly reduced when on ground since they are crammed in for longer periods. I suspect they use most vehicle to carry troops since the AAV numbers are reduced.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Thu Dec 03, 2015 1:07 am

Paul, you have the advantage of me, having actually been a Marine. I was Army.

My latest reference is Clancy's book, "Marine," and after that, I have to fall back on my C&GSC manuals for info, which are ten years older, or go to the internet, which can be dicey. As I said, the LAVs were a means of convenience. I have a few AAvs for the command group. I'm not ready to paint the figures necessary for a standing battalion of individual.

Is Clancy correct? 13 AAVs per company, and does that lift half the battalion?