U.S. 8th Tank Battalion/4th AD tactical markings/field applied camo questions

Armor/AFV WWII Allied
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Just looking for a little clarity on the few resources I have.

I’ve got an old set of decals with a fairly detailed instruction set for all US Armored divisions fielded in the ETO.

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I’ve seen several pictures of these markings on the rear hull side, and one shot of it on the rear engine compartment doors.

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france-august-6-1944-american-tanks-lumbering-ahead-on-their-way-to-avranches-dead-horses-and-wrecked-german-equipment-lie-at-the-side-of-the-road-2RBTDP51300×1120 139 KB

3rd Platoon?

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1st Platoon??

This M4 seems to have the marking painted on at a slant, instead of vertical. Did different companies use different “clock” positions for these markings?

Also, I’ve seen some color plates of the sand over OD camo (The photo of the M4 105mm near Avranches for example) and an excellent M4 that Mr. Zaloga did some time ago. Was this paint? or mud applied by the crew? Any chance the battalion would have had a mix of paint/mud?

I’ve read that Irzyk and the command officers of the 8th ordered all their stars painted out or painted over, and the 8th was very fond of using foliage to camo their tanks. I also remember reading that a lot of the crews hastily applied mud to their tanks to help them blend in.

Any of you gents have any further info/photos that would help give some clarity? It would be much appreciated!!

Hope you all have a great Saturday!

J

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I have an old Osprey book by Zaloga on US Armor camouflage. In there, it mentions that 8th Tank Battalion was camouflaged with mud applied by using sponges.

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Thanks! I’m just trying to get a sense of how I’m going to tackle this.

J

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Make up sponge?

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I’ve got a couple of different sizes of makeup sponges, plus a set of little bendable disposable glue/paint applicators. Maybe mix up a paint/pigment slurry and throw it on a test hull and experiment.

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No confessions necessary. :slight_smile: But yes, I’d try that. I’ve used them before for weathering HO scale rolling stcok. You can get some cool results.

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Hahaha. I got them from a Corporal in supply!!

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I glued a torn off piece of make up sponge onto a toothpick to do this camo. Supposedly the Austrians camo’d these aircraft with sponges and paint

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that looks great!!!

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Indeed. Very nicely done.

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Thanks guys. JG2 supposedly used a similar method for the fuselage side mottling on their 109’s during the Battle of Britain and I have 109 in my stash that I plan to finish in that scheme…

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