Spring of 1986 saw paranoia amongst the Communist leadership reach its peak. Spurred on by a belief that the west was out to get them, and the inconclusive results of Operation Ryan, the Stavka set out once and far all to remove the threat to the Rodina.

Caught up a few days after the outbreak of hostilities, the British Army of the Rhine had managed to bring their equipment up to WW3 standards. Chem gear was issued, full ammo stocks supplied, and vehicles repainted in the "war" camouflage.

The crew of ZA681 had a hard time. After departing mainland UK (following a depot repaint) they were itching for action. Transit through France, towards the Fulda Gap, brought into contact with a US heavylift helo squadron, where a .50 was "procured" for the flight engineer/door gunner. On the minus side, crossing the English Channel lead to the Chinook plowing into a flock of geese, tearing off two of the radio masts.

ZA681 survived the war, but was lost three years later at the Farnborough airshow when someone, suspected to be radical animal liberationists, managed to put sugar in the fuel tanks (sponsons). No injuries to the crew.
***
A comment on the AFV News forum about the WW3 camo for UK vehicles caught my eye and I've tried to apply it to armour and helos. Basically it would have consisted of matt black lowers, brown/earth vertical faces and green horizontal faces.

For each of the models you can see where the idea took me.

The latest is the Airfix Chinook, which has been on the bench for months now, and finally off to the shelf. I can't say I'm really happy with my effort (note to self..leave the breakables off until the final coat is done, and at least make an effort to do a clear coast before decaling). Also, the upper green should really extend down the fuselage a bit, and there needs to be thinner, but more of the brown and black lines.

Finally, I thought it would be interesting to contrast the Chieftain against a Panther G. The Chieftain is the Airfix kit, and the Panther the Hasegawa. Not sure if they are 1/76, 1/72, or a mix.

I am still working on the FFG/Perry Class Frigate (hull painted, first camo applied), but with work and study, and work on a '48 Airfix Spitfire 22, this is going to take a while...

As always, comments, suggestions and criticisms are most welcome.  

QuoteA comment on the AFV News forum about the WW3 camo for UK vehicles caught my eye and I've tried to apply it to armour and helos. Basically it would have consisted of matt black lowers, brown/earth vertical faces and green horizontal faces.

Any links we can read about it?

oh yes...Im interested too
nice camo !
Peter

Hi Marek and Wolfik,

I just tried to revisit the old AFV News site where I saw the comment, but the content is now gone (it was abandoned when spammers swamped it). I'll keep checking for other references and will post anything I find.

Cheers.

I am thinking about almost the same scenario

I have already started Alpha Jet and Hawk 200 as close air support NATO planes, so if you have anything regarding NATO war camouflage, that would be really helpful.

Grayman I really like the camo scheme on that Chinook! I find it mesmerizing!

Brian da Basher

Grayman, I like the selection of subjects, the camo schemes are really out of normal, and add the seriousness of a loaded gun to your models. I like them all!!

Rafa

Man, that Chinook looks especially sharp----well done!