FDE

[1943Willysgpw]

Question. Did any M151s in 1962 have a paint job other than OD? DId any come in FDE?

[rickf]

Other than OD? Yes, but what the hell is FDE?

[Mark]

Tan or sand color??

[Mr. Recovery]

If memory strikes me right, in the 50's and into the early 60's they had a "field drab" and the E, I would think stood for Europe, the field drab was a little more to the brown side of OD. We also used a flat field drab in the Europe Woodland Camo paint pattern.

[WC Matt]

In modern parlorance that would be Flat Dark Earth which is sort of a tan/brown color that is used today on some stuff.

Matt

[rickf]

Well, In the Central Highlands in Vietnam we had a lot of vehicles that color but only because that was the color of the mud. I think the true answer to the question is no, they were never painted that color while in service.

[WC Matt]

What about being repainted by using units in the field to match surrounding country side? We've all seen the M151A1s & A2s painted in desert sand used at the training center in SoCal. Of course that was much later than 1962.

For 1962, what about haze gray (Navy) or strata blue (USAF)?

Matt

[rickf]

Yes, but they were regulation colors for the units using the vehicles. I can't speak for the ground units, I was Airborne, My jeep had a rotor on top. I never saw, or at least I never noticed any vehicles painted anything other than OD green with the exception of the "follow Me" mutts on the bases. They were mostly yellow.

[1943Willysgpw]

Thank you for the answers. I will stick with the Green. I just wondered because all of my other vehicles are OD as well. Thought for a second that I might "mix it up" a little.

[rickf]

Up until the sand color came in you had a choice of green, green or green. Sort of made for a drab collection but that is what the hobby is all about. I till don't like the sand color, sorry younger guys.

[muttguru]

Question. Did any M151s in 1962 have a paint job other than OD? DId any come in FDE?

It would be most helpful if you would explain what "FDE" actually means

ken

[raymond]

Question. Did any M151s in 1962 have a paint job other than OD? DId any come in FDE?

It would be most helpful if you would explain what "FDE" actually means

ken

Ken

Field Drab Earth. It is a light brown tan color. A lot of firearm parts, especially for the AR15/M16 platform, are made in this color. It can also come in the form of an enamel, epoxy, or ceramic paint to coat existing items.

Here is a link to Cerakote. They make a high heat coating that is typically applied to firearms. In the pic, you can see it in Field Drab Earth as applied to a rifle.

http://www.thorcustomshop.com/portfolio ... -cerakote/

[muttguru]

Field Drab Earth. It is a light brown tan color. A lot of firearm parts, especially for the AR15/M16 platform, are made in this color. It can also come in the form of an enamel, epoxy, or ceramic paint to coat existing items.

Thanks for that explanation, Raymond. So am I right in assuming that this is a generic paint shade description? It doesn't seem to be a mil-spec paint as per the Federal Standard 595 catalog. I'm sure there WILL be an official matching FS shade, but it wouldn't be listed as Flat Drab Earth/Field Drab Earth.
As for the original question asked, the camo shades used by the Mil were not introduced until mid-1975 anyway.
If I remember correctly, the US Navy and USMC were very happy with their fleet of ageing M38A1s, Mites and Mules and were not enthusiastic about replacing them with M151s.... they held out until 1965. IIRC, the USAF was not a user of M151s until late 64/early 65.
So that boils down to US Army sole use of M151s between 1960 to 1964.......and their appropriate color was semi-gloss OD unless designated for special purposes.
The short answer to the original question? "No".
ken

[raymond]

In the world of firearm accessories, Flat Drab Earth and Field Drab Earth are used more or less interchangeably.
Now if black, O.D. or FDE are not your colors, AR15s are available in a wide variety of colors.
My daughter has an older one of mine that I gave her, but she really wants one in pink camo



Raymond

[rickf]

Is that the Barbie edition?