The M1A2 SEP (v1) began fielding in 2000. These were all in overall sand and first saw combat in Iraq in the early 2000s.
Didn’t 3rd ACR have them in 2003? Although they did miss most of the campaign drive to Baghdad combat actions. Or was it 4th ID that had the SEP v.1?
thanks guys!
Cheers!
L
I believe it was 4 ID. 3 ACR had straight M1A2s.
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By straight A2s do you mean with the bustle APU in place of the VPU as depicted in the Tamiya 1/48 kit ?
Yes, an M1A2 with no SEP parts.
The original NBC “boots” were a black rubber bag like thing with a rubber “dot pattern” sole that laced up like a Roman Legionary’s sandals.
The green ones were the WW boots that were later approved to be used with the MOPP gear.
IIRC sometime in the late 90’s the green were replaced with black rubber boots that included small finger tabs on the rubber straps
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Ugh, those things, the ones with the fish tail heel weren’t as big of a pain in the butt as the ones with the single tab. Both sets of booties were horrid. So glad when they smartened up and just used the WW boots.
Yes I remember those boots well. What a PITA to tie up !
Yes, the sight optics had reflective coating but the vision blocks did not.
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I was in country 75-78.We got the parka 2pockets, a button on hood w/real fur fringe, and the old style liner (nylon lining, but the odd white bumpy things on the outside.) I also had purchased my own winter style coveralls (zipper front) which I also would wear when out and about. The ordinary field jacket with liner worked against cold as well, same liner, and the hood could be buttoned in. Add a scarf, and the cold weather mask, and I was good to go, especially when our tank heater didn’t work.
I don’t have the parka anymore, but I kept my hood. Later ones had fake fur trim.
Ken
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For the M1 experts, I am building the Panda M1 and it offers 2 styles of the rear mud flaps, one set is slightly shorter than the others. Is there any context to those? I assume one size got replaced with the other size. Something with the tracks hitting the mud flap.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Bret
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The earliest M1 had a different rear side skirt. Later the design changed with a cut out to prevent mud build up. The panda kit gives you both options.
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Thanks. So it seemed that the rear section of side skirt did not last long?
Are you speaking of the skirt over the sprocket? Its called #7 and did not last long in muddy conditions.
I served on 'A1’s and IPs.
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Ok. I will leave it off. Going for a base M1 “new to USAREUR”
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If its a new tank then you might want to leave it on.
We removed ours when we went to the field and then reinstalled it when in garrison.
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Hmm. Interesting. I will see how the retaining ring fits on the drive sprocket.
One other question- bumper numbers were black on green, the sand did not come along until later?
Thanks for the insight.