For a M60 A1 crew what would they be wearing? I have the kit and ODS Modern infantry set that included tankers (in fatigues) so is that first pattern desert camo correct (think it was nick named chocolate chip???) I have the Miniart USMC tank crew but I think that the gear and uniforms are post 9-11 so about a decade plus too early for this build.
2nd quick question, I have the Tamiya M60 w reactive armor built OTB and had it sitting around for stowage and for my paint skills to improve vs when I built it. Any easy improvements to be done. Didn’t see a thread here when I searched but if there’s some easy finishing touches now would be the time. Any references or idea there are welcome.
AFAIK the chocolate chips should be fine, I don’t think the M60A1 crews were issued nomex.
As for the tank itself, if it is already built (please post pics) there may not be much you can do. You could replace the vinyl tracks with some after market ones, add some stowage, and some ODS markings.
The Tamiya kit is not bad, it’s just not up to modern standards. It still looks just fine with a little work.
Ken
Where she is at this point, I’ll move on to the stowage next and start painting. Using this set:
![image|375x500]t(upload://lkRjannEP3K2IeTAKOeN4jKTH4C.jpeg)
All three (woodland camouflage, chocolate chip and nomes) would work.
I do think some of it might come down to what unit you are planning to model as in an active duty unit or a reserve unit on active duty.
The Miniart set can work. Pretty sure the boots would be a little off as they are more modern style if that detail matters to you. At the time black leather boot and black/green jungle boots would have been standard issue. Not sure many got desert boots.
This set would also work.
Getting back to the kit, the unit and tank can matter as not all tank got active or all era plates either as I recall.
If you Google “Task Force Ripper”; you will see a lot of imagery pertaining to the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions as they pushed north into Kuwait, acting as the anvil in which the 18th Airborne Corps became the hammer, pushing south into Kuwait from Iraq.
I used the Tamiya Marine M60A1 ERA as a bas with the mine rake off the Tamiya M1A1 w/ Mine Plow… Then later on i added the CLAMS marker unit made by @MikeyBugs, which was really well done.
Uniforms…A whole other story. We never got replacement for damaged uniforms. We started with a set of nomex. As they were worn/torn and ripped, there was no replacement. As the uniforms fell apart they were supplemented by whatever we had in our one seabag. Soon there developed a band of pirates with no two pieces of matching uniforms. I started out using nomex but after a couple of months they gave up the ghost and I started using a set of cholate chips. After a while they tore and were stained but there was no replacement. Lost covers became dew rags from the triangular bandage. When we eventually got back to camp 15, Some Sgt Major would not let us in looking like we did. The day before we returned to the US, they gave us a pair of desert boots…Would have been nice to have had them when we got in country.
Sounds about right. The Nomex wasn’t exactly made for the rigors of desert warfare. So thew Choco-Chips were prevalent by the time our forces entered into Kuwait.
As far as the boxes go you said they were field mods so is it safe to assume there would be some latitude in their sourcing? I’ll have a couple of large 40mike mike boxes that look approximately the right size out of that Tamiya Modern Military equipment set so I might play around with those.
To everyone that’s replied, thanks a bunch. I realize my Miniart crew set though is too new, the body armor isn’t the right era so I think I’ll stick w fatigues and might just try my hand at kit bashing the figures I have in mind.
I’m seeing some easy corrections like the handholds on the rear fenders that are easy enough to shave off and I need to bookmark primeportalnon my iPad, thanks for the link. I completely spaced out on that source!
As always and at the risk of being repetitive, thanks guys. The first hand knowledge and you sharing your memories is invaluable. The stories about the boots reminded of my USNR time. I joined under a program that’s not around anymore called AIE so went straight to a unit, purchased some Bates with the uniforms I could draw locally. However the following year I went to Great Lakes for a compressed boot camp and the instructors didn’t care for my Bates so I had to stash them in my sea bag and I got a beautiful pair of boondockers. Thing was they were the old issue style and I got one pair, anyone that ever broke them in know you grab 2 pair and alternated using the shaving cream to soften them up. Completely shredded my feet, blisters on blisters and hot spots like the Sahara, I’ve never used so much moleskin. We had an inspection about a week in and the CO looked at those and asked me who I pissed off. Then asked me the shape of my feet, told him and he looked at our DI and said “This sailor told me he had reg boots in his sea bag, let him dig them out.” Looked back at me and said “Toss those out”. God bless him…
If you are looking for out of the box ODS tank crewmen in DBDUs/BDUs, the below Dragon set is perfect. You can use almost any ODS-era figure and slap a CVC on it to get ODS tankers in BDUs/DBDUs as well.
You can also use the below IDF sets, with different hats/heads/CVC helmets. The vests are basically US PASGT vests from ODS time frame, just leave off the ammo pouches.
This set would work best for a Marine '60 during the war. One of the figures even wear the CVC Body Armor that was standard issue to both tank crews, as well as IFV crews.
