M38A1 CDN3 markings

[Gunner]

Hi Jim:

My own experience is that the recce tac sign was used on vehicles only by recce units. Inf recce platoons would have the battalion level marking on them not platoon level. It is my impression that the tank track symbol was jealously guarded by sub-units with Lynx and the "plain" recce symbol was used by militia regiments, however, as Ed has noted it was a time of liberal interpretation by unit and bde commanders so there are lots of variations!

You absolutly right that all the M38A1s came from the factory painted semi-gloss OD. The cam paint was added starting late 1975 or early 1976 at the unit level. I remember my Warrant at the time handing me a book of drawings (I still have the book somewhere) and a bunch of chalk so I could go out and mark the trucks to spec. I got in sh*t if I strayed more than three inches from the drawings! We did the unit's trucks (71 Bty, 26 Fd RCA) over a weekend. All hand painted with brushes!

Cheers! Mike