No "tanks"...

Those aren't tanks...   They're MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System artillery rocket launchers) their reload vehicles, and their security/HQ detachment of IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicles) ... not a tank in the bunch...,  Watched it twice to be sure. But yeah, you REALLY don't want to be downrange when they cut loose.

Calling those "tanks" is like calling F7s SD90s.

I used to be a modern era wargamer.

Nice models. I only have one

Nice models. I only have one criticism. There is no way those vehicles would have been shipped with the radio antennas installed.  The radios, antennas and other sensitive items would have been removed and shipped separately.

Jeff White

Alma, IL

...

Only if Depot did their job.  You're talking about E-6s replying on E-1-E-4s here...and E-5s making sure the E-1s-E4s do their job...Hence, antennas still attached.
 

Your sensitive crypto radio units would be removed, but that's because they're individual checkout/turn in.

I never saw that in the 28

I never saw that in the 28 years I spent in the Army.  The train would have been inspected after loading. The vehicles would have been inspected before they were moved to the railhead and every major end item I ever saw shipped from depot came with all of the equipment like radios and antennas boxed and crated up.  Often vehicles were shipped from depot without radios as the radio is a separate MTOE item.

The biggest mistakes I see when modelers model military loads is loading vehicles with radio antennas and machine guns mounted and tank cannons and howitzers not in travel lock.

Jeff White

Alma IL

Ignorance is bliss huh?

Ignorance is bliss huh?

Q re military train

Thanks for sharing this.  I've been building up an equipment train which will pass as bridge traffic on my RR.  a couple questions:

• what paint brand/ hue did you use for "desert sand"?
• These look like Matchox vehicles.  For painting I assume you drilled out the rivits?
• The treads/ road wheels are nicely done...  
• What process did you use to paint them?

I assume a first coat of flat black, then (brush?) sand color on the wheels?

or, Sand overall, with black touchup for the treads & outer wheel rims (wouild seem harder).

Or maybe you used a spray paint template for the road wheels?

Just curious. I'd love for my through traffic to look this good!