Archer 1/35 US Military Vehicle Generic Markings and Labeling (Black) AR35001B

Description

Archer Fine Transfers 1/35 Assorted Generic Exterior and Interior Stencils
US Military Vehicle Markings and Labeling (Black) AR35001B
Brand new!
This is a
dry transfer
decal from Archer Fine Transfers.
About Archer Fine Transfers:
Archer Fine Transfers is well known in the modeling community for producing highly accurate transfers of excellent quality. Although they have some traditional water-slide decals available, their primary product line is dry transfers. Dry transfers are are markings that you don't have to use water to apply, but instead you gently rub them on with a blunt tool or object, when they are dry.
The benefit of using dry transfers over water slide decals is that dry transfers are usually more realistic in appearance because they appear painted on like real vehicle markings. This better appearance is due to the transfers not having excess carrier film and also being generally thinner than water slide decals so they snuggle down and hug the object better.
Decal Specifications:
Dry transfer data stencils for solid color AFVs from 1940 to 1975. Can also be applied as wet decals using the WetMedia paper sold elsewhere in this catalog. Comes with detailed history and directions.
Sufficient markings are included on this sheet to cover most of the major items carried on US Armored vehicles from 1945 to 1975, to include Korea and Vietnam. Also, bumper numbers are included for most vehicle types and applications. Typical decal sets are included for vehicle dashboards, inside and outside hood applications, tire pressure markings, and basic warnings for tactical vehicles.
Recommended references include the Osprey/Vanguard and Osprey/New Vanguard series, Squadron/Signal's "In Action" and Special series, Concord Publications, and Museum Ordnance Specials.
During the early years of US armored forces, it was pretty obvious where the removable components of the tanks in service had to be stored. But as armored vehicles became more complex. more and more items had to be carried and stored, and as a result some confusion arose as to their placement. Personnel at the various Army test centers -- Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, the Tank and Automotive Plant in Warren, Michigan, and others -- began to work out load plans for each type of vehicle. These load plans were precisely worked out to keep things tidy and at the same time provide the greatest degree of access to all necessary items. To ensure that things were not moved or confused, the stowage points were labeled to avoid confusion. (This is also called "soldier proofing" the item...making it as close to impossible for the troops to screw things up!)
The first labels in general use were decals applied inside the vehicles to indicate where each item was stowed in its special rack or stowage area. These decals varied a bit, with most of them being black or dark blue mounted on a white backing and with or without a black surround. However, as stowage changed and vehicles were repaired, they were replaced with standard US Army decals which were drawn from supply.
After the end of WW II, this was often extended to the outside of the vehicle as well, to prevent things from being stowed where they would obstruct the fighting ability of the vehicle. Until 1974, these were done using white decals; after 1975, when the US Army adopted the twelve MERDEC paint schemes for worldwide camouflage, they were changed over to black.
The number and placement of these markings tend to vary according to unit. Some units were quite liberal with these markings (usually artillery) whereas other units would not place them on the exterior surface of any vehicle. Generally, all water and fuel cans had some sort of marking to keep them separate (this ceased for water cans when the plastic ones were adopted in the late 1970s). Diesel and Motor Gasoline (MOGAS) are still separated by label, with the additional separator in many units of painting MOGAS can tops red and diesel can tops yellow.