Ground Power - AMPS Central VA Power MEETING AGENDA: ... main colors are Forest Green FS 34079 and...

AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia | ampscv.org | [email protected] 1

The Monthly Newsletter of AMPS Central Virginia | John Robinson, Editor | Volume 19 No.8

Ground Power

MEETING AGENDA:6:30 BUSINESS

7:00 DEMONSTRATION

8:00 PASS IN REVIEW

9:00 ADJOURNMENT

(segments can vary in length)

UPCOMING MEETINGS:Thursday, August 27

Demo: Tool Time by All: bring in your favorite tool, the one you can’t work without or the one that has a special purpose. Everyone gets a chance to share.

Thursday, September 24Demo: TBD

Thursday, October 22Demo: TBD

VFW Post 10657 11568 Cedar LaneAshland, VA 23005

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:Demo from last month .................2-4

Display models from last month .....5-8

AMPS-CV Workbench Cam ............... 9

2014/2015 event calendar .............10

AMPS/IPMS information .................11

Upcoming Event Fliers ..............12-13

Virginia ShootoutThe Virginia Shootout was well attended by members of both AMPS/IPMS Central Virginia and IPMS Richmond. The Virginia Shootout started many years ago as a friend-ly competition between modeling clubs using the same model kits. It has expanded over the years and now points are scored for placing entries and extra points for spe-cial awards. The chapter with the most points wins the coveted Virginia Shootout title for another year. To say we did well is an understatement! This time the trophy came back to Richmond and here are the winners from AMPS-CV:

Ashley Abernathy (1st x2); Frank Blanton (1st, 2nd, 3rd)Mark Groth (2nd) Dennis Leonituk (2nd); Glen Martin (1st, 2nd, 3rd); Mike Petty (2nd x2) John Robinson (3rd); Mike Trentadue (1st x2); Bob Walls (1st x2, 2nd x2)

Best Diorama: Ashley Abernathy Best Armor: Mike Trentadue Best In Show: Mike Trentadue!

Richmonders scoring in non-armor categories included Frank Blanton (2nd), Scott Holtz (1st x2), Richard Leininger (1st x2, 2nd x2, 3rd x2), Dennis Leonituk (1st) and Don Worley (3rd)

Congrats to David VickersDavid was fortunate to be interviewed and featured in Fredericksburg’s Free Lance-Star newspaper and took the opportunity to promote AMPS and the new AMPS chapter in Fredericks-burg. Good job Dave!

Americans in Wartime Museum Open House October 3-4This annual event in Nokesville, VA brings out the huge military vehicle collection for static and live displays that also include reenactors. This is now probably the largest single collection of military vehicles in the United States and nearly all of it is in run-ning condition. Photos, videos and registration information is on the website: www.nmaw.org

pg. 2

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mailto:info%40ampscv.org?subject=

http://www.nmaw.org/events/


July Meeting Demonstration: MERDC Camouflage Painting

by Frank Blanton

The US Army Mobility Equipment Research and Development Center (MERDC) in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia began experimenting with camouflage on tactical vehicles due to lessons learned in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Camouflage of vehicles and equipment in the field was intended to break up hard lines and create shadows and contrast. The MERDC camouflage was trialled in 1972 and by 1975, active US Army service vehicles were painted in the new pattern. By 1978, all tactical military vehicles were painted in the new MERDC pattern.

MERDC camo colors featured two main colors, each covering 45% of the subject’s surface. Added to this were two supple-mental colors that covered 5% each of the subject’s surface. The system used only four colors at a time within a fixed pattern. The two supplemental colors could be selected from twelve colors within the established climatic framework. (Refer to the color chart). Field Manual FM 5-200 lists the patterns based on eight climatic regions. It should be noted that Black FS 37038 was used in the entire MERDC color palette except with the Arctic scheme.

The eight climatic region patterns are:

Winter Europe & US - verdant: main colors are Forest Green FS 34079 and Field Drab FS 30118. Supplemental colors are Sand FS 30277 and Black FS 37038.

Summer Europe & US - verdant: main colors are Forest Green FS 34079 and Light Green FS 34151. Supplemental colors are Sand FS 30277 and Black FS 37038.

Tropics - verdant: main colors are Forest Green FS 34079 and Field Drab FS 30118. Supplemental colors are Light Green FS 34151 and Black FS 37038.

Snow - temperate with open terrain: main colors are White FS 37875 and Field Drab FS 30118. Supplemental colors are Sand FS 30277 and Black FS 37038.

Snow - temperate with trees and shrubs not completely cov-ered in snow: main colors are Forest Green FS 34079 and White FS 37875. Supplemental colors are Sand FS 30277 and Black FS 37038.

Red desert: main colors are Earth Red FS 30117 and Earth Yel-low FS 30257. Supplemental colors are Sand FS 30277 and Black FS 37038.

Grey desert: main colors are Sand FS 30277 and Field Drab FS 30118. Supplemental colors are Earth Yellow FS 30257 and Black FS 37038.

Winter Arctic: totally snow covered terrain, White FS 37875 overall.

Soft tops will be left in the original color, which appears to be Olive Drab #7 so FS 34087 is a good match. It is also noted that Marine Corps tactical vehicles were painted along with US Army vehicles in the same MERDC patterns. The MERDC pattern was officially in service until 1984, when the US Army replaced it with the standard NATO three color camouflage pattern con-sisting of Black FS 37030, NATO Green FS 34094 and Brown FS 30051.

MERDC for models - what colors?

The scheme for Winter Europe & US is the most widely seen and used by both the US Army and Marine Corps. It should be noted that each tactical vehicle in the Army and Marine Corps inven-tory has its own pattern. An M60 pattern was different from an M109 and a 2 ½ ton truck. The specific vehicle patterns can be found online in black and white templates:

https://sites.google.com/site/merdccamo/home/merdc-cam-ouflage-templates

I normally airbrush the two main colors called out on the climatic pattern. I begin with the Field Drab color FS 30118. I have to custom mix it as I prefer to airbrush Tamiya paints but perfect matches don’t exist. I use the SCC 2 Brown Drab formula by Mike Starmer for mixing Tamiya acrylics. This mix is very close if not spot on for a faded Field Drab. The formula is: 5 parts XF68 + 4 parts XF3 + 1 part XF1. Basically, you want a reddish brownish shade of green. I will mask this with super putty or play-dough for a feathered edge, which can be seen in reference photos. The most common effect was a hard edge and it is easily done with Tamiya wide masking tape.

The next color to apply is the Forest Green FS 34079. Tamiya has XF67, which is very good straight from the bottle. Once the two main colors are applied, it’s time to add the two sup-plemental colors of Sand FS 30277 and Black FS 37038. Since these colors only cover much smaller areas I find it is best to hand paint these using a couple of differently sized brushes and Vallejo paints. Colors are Flat Black 70950 and Khaki Sand 70988 mixed with a touch of Ivory White 70918. Brushes range from a 00 detail brush for the black to a 0, #1 and #2 brush for the Sand. Follow the patterns listed in the schematics and the reference you find.

References:

Much of what has been said here comes from two main sources:

• US Army FM 5-200 “Camouflage Painting”

• MASSTER, MERDC-DUALTEX, Tankograd Publishing, Hans-Bernd Glanz and Markus BachFrank prefers to airbrush the base colors

in Tamiya paints and hand brush the supplemental colors in Vallejo.

http://ampscv.org/


https://sites.google.com/site/merdccamo/home/merdc-camouflage-templates

https://sites.google.com/site/merdccamo/home/merdc-camouflage-templates



by Frank Blanton (continued)

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by Frank Blanton (continued)

MERDC patterns on an M60, upper left to right:

Summer Europe & US - verdant

Winter Europe & US - verdant

Tropics - verdant

Grey desert

Red desert

Snow - temperate with open terrain

Snow - temperate with trees and shrubs

Winter Arctic (not pictured because it’s 100% White)

Note that these are artists’ rendi-tions and the colors subjective to interpretation.

Visit the Cybermodeler Online website for more:www.cybermodeler.com

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http://www.cybermodeler.com/armor/m60/m60_all.shtml


Member display models from the July meeting

Takom British Mk.IV Hermaphrodite

by Frank Blanton

1:35 scale

The term ’Male’ was used when referring to Mk.IVs with cannons and ‘Female’ to refer to those with machine guns. Put both of them on an Mk.IV and you have a ‘Hermaphrodite.’ The kit is assembled from flat panels but the instructions are simple

and clear. There are 27 wheels per side, but remain all but hidden once the tracks are installed. The fit was good and only needed occasional filler. The tracks are workable and include the mud grousers.

http://ampscv.org/




AFV Club British AEC 4x4 Armored Command Vehicle “Dorchester”

by Tabb Tharrington

1:35 scale

The suspension was painful to make due to all the parts involved. Some of the part locations were vague but despite that, it went together without much trouble. The front wheels are adjustable and a complete interior is included. A photo-etched brass stowage rack is provided for the roof, paper

maps are included as is a sunshade that can be installed either rolled up or deployed. Tabb plans to paint it in British camouflage but it will be marked as it was captured by the Germans in North Africa and used by Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel as a command coordination vehicle.

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Trumpeter German Kampfpanzer 70

by John Robinson

1:35 scale

In the 1960s, the joint effort between Germany and the US to design a modern MBT produced 14 Kpz.70/MBT-70 prototypes. It was advanced for its day and was much faster and more mobile than the M48/M60/Leopard 1 tanks. Unfortunately, the technical difficulties and funding spats led to the Germans pulling out in 1969 and

the project’s cancellation in 1970. However, the lessons learned helped to design the M1 Abrams so it remains an important link in US tank design.

The kit has DS tracks and is all styrene with no photo-etched brass or metal parts. Clear styrene is provided for the lights and optics. The model is billed as both the MBT-70 and Kpz.70, but it more closely represents the Kpz.70 and is a mixture of features from the various prototypes. A brace was inserted

in the lower hull to correct for warping and new brass tube idler shafts were installed to make it easier to install the tracks. It will be reviewed in an upcoming issue of AMPS Boresight magazine.

This video demonstrates how the tank was driven from within the turret using a stabilized cupola that self-centered itself:

www.youtube.com

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDgUJ7xwwbE



Academy German Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)

by Victor Divittorio

1:35 scale

This is a detailed kit with many small parts but builds up well. The tracks are link and length with the top runs as one piece with sag molded in. The instructions direct the painting of the model in ‘Field Grey’ that is a German military color but not appropri-

ate for vehicles. Victor was hoping no one would notice this faux pas but it was not the case. He plans to repaint it with the appropriate Dunkelgrau (dark grey).

http://ampscv.org/



Dragon German le Pz.Haub auf Hummel Fahrgestell

by Glen Martin

1:35 scale

The kit represents a prototype of the Hummel that used a 10.5cm gun. The production used the larger 15cm gun. The Dragon kit is nice and includes all the fighting compartment details. These two photos illustrate the before (above) and

after results of using the base Dunkelgelb color in a thin overspray to tone down the starkness of the Dunkelgrun camouflage. Glen used Tamiya paints.

AMPS-CV Workbench Cam

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MONTH s M T W R F s

2015 AMPS-CV CALENDAR 2015

AUGUST 26 27 28 29 30 31 01

02 03 04 05 06 07 08

09 10 11 12 13 14 15 Roanoke Valley IPMS Shootout, Roanoke, VA

16 17 18 19 20 21 22

AMPS-CV Meeting 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

SEPTEMBER 30 31 01 02 03 04 05

06 07 08 09 10 11 12

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 PennCon, Carlisle, PA

AMPS-CV Meeting 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 ArmorCon, Danbury, CT

OCTOBER 27 28 29 30 01 02 03

04 05 06 07 08 09 10

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 IPMS Arm/Air Invitational, Salisbury, NC

AMPS-CV Meeting 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

NOVEMBER 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

01 02 03 04 05 06 07

08 09 10 11 12 13 14

AMPS-CV Meeting 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

DECEMBER 29 30 01 02 03 04 05

06 07 08 09 10 11 12

AMPS-CV Meeting 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

JANUARY 27 28 29 30 31 01 02

TREASURY REPORTAugust balance: $662.70

Pay your $12 annual membership at the meetings or by mailing a check, payable to “AMPS of Central Virginia“ to:

Ameriprise Financial2941 Fox Chase LaneMidlothian, VA 23112

EVENT INFORMATIONVA War Memorial:www.vawarmemorial.org

Old Dominion Open:www.ipmsrichmond.org

MosquitoCon:www.njipms.org

NOVA Classic:www.novaipms.org

AMPS Int’l Convention:www.amps-armor.org

IPMS R-12 Convention:lafayettescalemodelers.wordpress.com

IPMS National Convention:ipmsusa2016.com

Roanoke Valley IPMS Virginia Shootout:www.rvipms.com

PennCon:www.cenpennipms.com

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http://www.vawarmemorial.org/

http://ipmsrichmond.org/

http://njipms.org/?page_id=558

http://www.novaipms.org/html/mc12.html

http://www.amps-armor.org/ampssite/conventions/showInfo.aspx?Page=Annouce&ShowID=59

http://ipmsusa2016.com/

http://rvipms.com/shootout/2015ShootoutIndex.htm

http://www.cenpennipms.com/?page_id=33


1 year 2 years 3 years

USA $30 $55 $80

Canada/Mexico $35 $65 $95

All Other $40 $75 $110

Name:

Address:

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by PayPal, Visa or MasterCard If paying by check or money order, please mail the

following information to:AMPS, PO Box 543, Elkton, MD 21922-0543 USA

www.amps-armor.org

Renew or start a membership at:

in case that singing gig doesn’t work out.

JOIN AMPS

Join or Renew Online at:www.ipmsusa.org

P.O. Box 2475North Canton, OH 44720-0475

Zip:

IPMS Number (renewals):

Name:

Address:

City:

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Phone:

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Signature:

IPMS/USAMembership Form

Type of Membership

Adult, 1 Year: $25

Adult, 2 Years: $49

Adult, 3 Years: $73

Canada & Mexico: $30

Other/Foreign (Surface): $32

Other/Foreign (Air): $55

Payment Method:

Check

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CC# / Exp: /

If recommended by an IPMS member, please provide name & member #:

(Name) (IPMS number)

Junior, under age 18: $12

Family, 1 Year: $30

How many cards?

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Ground Power - AMPS Central VA Power MEETING AGENDA: ... main colors are Forest Green FS 34079 and...

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