M1068A3 SICPS
M1068 from 2nd Bde, 3rd ID in Iraq 2003

This build depicts a command post vehicle from 2nd Brigade (2nd Bde), 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) (2/3 ID) in April 2003.

In the build, the command post (CP) is partially setup to continue its never-ending battle coordination of current and future operations. The CP tent end and side walls left off to reduce heat inside, while still providing shade from the sun. At sunset the side walls were added to allow continued work under the lights throughout the night.

The base Tamiya kit was heavily modified for conversion from a M577 to a M1068A3.

The build started with scratch building the entire interior of the M1968 – the Tamiya M577 kit does not include any interior parts. It is an empty shell out of the box.

I began the interior with parts out of my spare parts box, including the floor and engine / drivers compartment walls from the Tamiya M113 ACAV kit. I then added pedestal mounts for spare seats from an MRAP kit.

I added interior lights by repurposing battery ornamental lights – the colored lenses were colored with permanent ink markers.

Using thin styrene sheet, I scratchbuilt the interior ceiling and wall sections that would insert into the empty shell.

I painted them Sea Foam (Interior Green), applied the M113 interior decals and hand painting the interior details.

With the interior completed, I began on the external conversion using the Legend Productions M1068A3 conversion kit.

The M1068 side racks, rooftop luggage racks and antenna systems were all scratchbuilt.

The Standardized Integrated Command Post System (SICPS) tent frame and canvas were scratchbuilt. For the tent frame, I used styrene tube following a handmade template scaled to size. For the tent, I used cling wrap painted on both sides with an aerosol. I pinned the corners to cardboard to keep it flat and in place. I allowed numerous days for the paint to dry before painting the reverse, and even more time before handling. Using a sharp blade, I cut out the windows, then added the rolled up flaps and strings.

All of the vehicle, stowage, and tent markings were home decals made on my laser jet printer.

The AFV Club T130E1 track link required significant modification to the Tamiya drive sprockets to fit - the drive sprocket teeth needed to be thinned re-shaped to accept the AFV Club track.

Nearly all of the items inside the command post tent were scratchbuilt (except for the insulated beverage container, the transit cases and the folding chairs). The scratch builds include the map on the map board, the butcher board easel, white folding table, coffee pot, travel mug, clear garbage bag, can of (spilled) ground coffee, toilet paper roll, paper towel roll, canteen mug, electrical extension cord surge protector, field desk, notebook and pencil and the stars and stripes newspapers with OIF headlines.

I painted and weathered this build following the AMMO by Mig techniques book “How to Paint Modern US Military Sand Scheme”. This was my first time using these techniques.

I used a combination of the acrylics paints weathered with enamels, oils, pencils, and pastels with AK Ultra Matt Varnish as a topcoat.