The new M1s were all tan at Fort Bliss in 1983-84, but they were rare. MERDC grey was on all the 3rd ACRs equipment, except the AVLBs (tan) and M60A2s (OD). The typical troop in the 3rd had M60A1s (later TTS upgrade), ITVs, Command tracks, M88s, M113A1s, and various mortar tracks. The marines on post used OD, but they were a very small contingent. It was not uncommon to see 2 1/2 tons in OD. I think our tool truck may have even been OD. Jeeps were MERDC. The 1/2 ton pickups (I think dodge) were OD. Fort Bliss is the air defense center, and the army was testing the Sergeant York at the time. At one time I had a picture of one in MERDC grey, but lost it. I seem to remember seeing Vulcans in OD, too.
Notice the picture of the two M48s on the book cover Patton Tanks posted above. With MERDC all AFVs should look very similar to others of like kind. Looking at the two tanks in the picture you can see variations, almost certainly caused by crew chalking error. This equipment is typically painted once per year using this process…
- Crew cleans and preps, mask with grease, ext.
- HQ guys spray entire vehicle tan.
- Tank crew draws pattern on their own tank using white caulk, using a page out of a military spec. They eyeball it. This is where the error is introduced. Oftens it’s green guys right out basic doing this work.
- One of two things happened. The tank either goes back to the HQ guys to spray on the remaining three colors, OR the crew brush paints the remaining colors.
Back to the book cover. You can see someone forgot a black stripe on the lead tank. Refurbished and new AFVs from the factory will have patterns that are almost exactly right. One time I got a refurbished M113A2, and boy did that thing look pretty. I had a decent 35mm SLR when I was in, and took pictures. Imgur: The magic of the Internet
Here’s one fresh from the factory. This is MERDC Grey.
