Best Paint for 1980s M1 Tanks?

[SJWi]

Hi, With the release of PSC's CENTAG I've finally been inspired to paint my c1983/94 US force.  I've decided to do the early M1s and Bradleys in the overall green colour leaving the other vehicles to be painted in camo.  Can anyone recommend which paint manufacturer/shade is best for the green of the M1s/M2s which I think was called "forest green"? I normally use Vallejo and Revell Aquacolor acrylics so recommendations from their ranges would be great.

Thanks. 

[carlos marighela]

AK and MIG both do a dedicated acrylic Forest Green, SMS do it in laquer paint. Vallejo have it in their Model Air range. I suspect Hakata do it too.

I'm not a huge fan of the AK range but I have that colour and it seems to be an accurate match ad i understand their new paints are a step up on previous stuff.

If you are looking to do something small scale and thus need to lighten the colour maybe just use the Vallejo US Dark Green, with perhaps a smidge of Military Green to get more colour saturation. Of course once you've weathered most dark greens will probably do.

[Jemima Fawr]

Although they didn't use the full MERDC camo scheme, the plain green used on Abrams and Bradleys in Europe was the 'Forest Green' paint colour from the MERDC camouflage system.  Forest Green was used as the green portion of the very common 'Winter Verdant' scheme or the darker green portion of 'Summer Verdant'.  I use Humbrol 116 for Forest Green.

[SJWi]

Chaps, thanks for the swift replies. As my local shop stocks Vallejo I'll probably opt for their "US Dark Green". I'm gaming in 1/300 so will be lightening it and highlighting or else the models will just look like dark boxes on the table. 

[carlos marighela]

Funnily enough, US vehicles in Berlin seem to have gone the whole decade in an older olive green or at least that's what the photos suggest. Of course, it might just be lighting or the effect of adding oil to polish up the paint for parades but they do seem to have a distinct browny olive cast to them.

[CapnJim]

Yeah, the Berlin Brigade glossed their vehicles while on show...

I was in those green M1s and M1IPs.  Not sure what color I'd use, but let me look at my paint collection and see what i come up with.... 

[SJWi]

CapnJim, thanks. I already have 15mm British Berlin Brigade in their disruptive urban camouflage. I've gone with Vallejo "US Dark Green" for the M1s and M2/3s. My next decision will be the camouflage colours for the M60s and M113-based vehicles.

[carlos marighela]

I can remember what I used for winter MERDC if that helps. It was US Dark Green, US Field Drab, Iraqi Sand and Black IIRC. I think with the most recent I used either English Uniform or Khaki Grey for the brown.

[carlos marighela]

Might have toned down the Iraqi sand with ivory.

[SJWi]

Carlos, thanks. I think I already have all those colours. Not sure if I'm looking forward to painting MERDC in 1/300.

[CapnJim]

When I got to 2-64 Armor in 3rd ID in Sept '84, nearly everything was Green.  M151s, M35s, M1s, M113s, M577s. nearly everything.  The only stuff that was MERDC was the GOERS, Gamma Goats,  and M109s.   And, the M60A3s and some M113s in a few other battalions.

And US Dark Green should work.  You'll want to lighten it up a bit with weathering - ALL of our vehicles had a very light tan/gray dusty-looking "film" on them that only went away when they were wet...