What ever you “acquire” for spare storage was good to go.
Because I was a TC and out of the hatch most times I used the crew vest under my shirt and wore an infantry vest outside my shirt. The crew vest was … thinish so I supplemented it.
Yea! That vest was only intended to protect you from spalling and other hazards inside the tank!
Ken
Weren’t the Marine tankers in MOPP-2 at least during the ground combat phase of the war?
I know that they fought at least one engagement in MOPP-4… at least one element did…
For figures in MOPP, there is the Dragon set that could be adapted.
There are also a couple old Verlinden figures if you can find them.
Yes, you would just have to remove the LBE webbing from over their body armor.
But seriously, we have have had two major wars where the ground campaigns were fought with tank crews wearing MOPP 2, not to mention years of exercises such as REFORGER with crews also in MOPP gear. Aside from one old Verlinden set in MOPP 4, is it too much to ask of the model companies or figure companies to come out with some tank crew figures in that uniform? We have plenty of kits needing such figures
Paracel has a couple ODS figures in MOPP as well.
There are a few other figures in MOPP/JSLIST from Iraq wearing IBAs. But not tankers specifically. Some could be used as tankers by adding minimal gear to the IBA and adding CVC helmets.

A couple of the guys from this set are in JSLIST as well. Not the best figures, but workable.
Live-Resin makes heads w/M17 masks too.
We crossed the border in MOPP gear. When no gas appeared the masks came off. The 2nd day the MOPP came off.
Lucky you. We (3ID) were in MOPP2 (MOPP4 a couple times) for almost 3 weeks during the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Those MOPP suits smelled really ripe when we peeled them off.
It is amazing how the charcoal stains everything…You would think we were mining coal inside the tank.
We were in and out of MOPP, various levels, all through January and February. By the time we actually crossed the border, all that stuff was taken off and we went in just CVCs.
Ken
This is kind of the direction I’m leaning so far and picture say two more on the ground w some other variations. Just cutting here and there, poking around for body parts that look right and using blue tac to give me an idea of I’m on track. I’m winging it but all your guys suggestions and pictures are putting ideas in my head!
Looking good. I think you are on the right track.
Nice job so far Chris
One more figure passing up the rounds and you’re golden. Great composition!
Certainly going to look for a couple of those sets, appreciate the recommendation. Like a lot of things here, it starts out “hmmm, wonder what they would wear” picturing the commander and gunner being in those hatches and now I’m thinking more of a 60 w the crew reloading dio…
One questions for those in the ‘know’ and hopefully you guys may have a picture, I scanned thru PrimePortal but can’t find the inside hatch detail of the commanders coupla. Found a nice view of the loaders hatch on Prime to add the inside hatch detail but I didn’t see a commanders hatch view. Of course customers interrupted me with their questions so maybe I missed it. Any help there would be appreciated!
This is begging for some easy detail I think:
Already planning on the quick fixes for the other one.
OK, as you noticed, pics of the hatch are hard to find. So to start with here is a shot of a model (but it is accurate):
And here’s what I found of the real deal:
Hopefully this will give you enough to work it out.
Ken
Second row up from the bottom row has a number of coupla photos from the inside out.