Advice sought on US Colonial Marine markings

Rick Lowe · January 08, 2015, 07:39:14 PM

Hi all.

I'm about to mark up a couple of hoppers in Colonial Marine markings and was wondering what you thought of how they would be portrayed.

I have seen the markings used in the movie and elsewhere that say 'USCM', but would this be correct?

The current Corps mark their vehicles as 'USMC', i.e. not 'US Marines', but rather 'US Marine Corps'.
So, therefore, should the correct markings be 'USCMC', in which case I will have to either find a load more 'C's, or can I get away with 'USCM', or would just the standard 'MARINES' suffice (as today).

Thanks for all feedback/opinions.

Rick Lowe

Go4fun · January 08, 2015, 08:03:56 PM

The only Colonial Marines I can find reference to are from the 'Aliens' movie. So a careful look at the movie on a DVR or tape with several stops should give you some ideas.

Rick Lowe · January 08, 2015, 08:35:26 PM

Sorry, should have said - yes, I'm referring to the USCM from the Movie.

I realize it's WHIF and SF, but if I can get it reasonably correct, I'll be a wee bit happier than I normally am...

Alvis 3.14159 · January 08, 2015, 08:56:52 PM

Ther was a "Technical Manual" based on "Aliens, in it they show the shoulder patch design, and it has USCM on it, so I'd hazard that USCM would be the designation on the side, but just "Marines" would suffice in my book.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21995420/Aliens-1-Colonial-marines-technical-manual#scribd

It appears to me that the Dropship and the APC lacked any sort of USCM/Marine word mark on them. My spin is that USCM is the correct terminology for the Marines you see in the movie, as it's not the same Marine Corps we have today. They appear to have their own ships to use, like the Sulaco, and aren't reliant upon a Navy to haul them around. Myself, I'd use USCM as the name on anything vehicular, it still says "badass" but with a sci-fi aspect.

Alvis 3.14159

zenrat · January 09, 2015, 02:47:41 AM

I have that book but i'm buggered if I can find it.
I'll have a proper look tomorrow.

I have a 1/72 Halcyon Drop Ship painted in blue/black/grey/white splinter pattern camo I did about 20 years ago. I'll have to take some pics.

Mossie · January 09, 2015, 04:59:32 AM

The Technical Manual is available free in pdf:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/21995420/Aliens-1-Colonial-marines-technical-manual#scribd

zenrat · January 10, 2015, 01:59:48 AM

Found my copy. None of the USCM ships, aircraft or vehicles have USCM markings on the side.
There are some examples of nose art and unit patches as well as a USCM badge.

Rick Lowe · January 11, 2015, 09:29:56 AM

Thanks, folks - so it looks like 'MARINES' it is then, at least on the wings... if I'm feeling confident (or lucky) I might rearrange some smaller 'USMC' markings to 'USCM', but not for the main ones..

Cheers

Rick