Marble T-80
Tanks and armoured vehicles rarely delight the eye with an unusual colour pattern. Not only domestic but also foreign armoured vehicles usually appear in 'low-key' camouflages. However, most Western countries have adopted a well-known variety of camouflage schemes, corresponding to different landscapes and vegetation types for their in-service vehicles. Camouflages can be quickly adapted to different surroundings and seasons by adding spots and stains, that blend in with the surrounding area.
An example of this would be the Iraq war in 1999, when armoured vehicles, supply vehicles, and communication equipment were coloured into a similar pattern as the desert.
While the Soviet camouflage looked quite modest and bleak, a single protective colour was chosen for the entire vehicle fleet. Regardless of the area of operation and the time of year. The vehicles retained the same colour throughout the service life, from leaving the assembly line to the tank graveyard. The standard colour was "Enemal HV-578 green colour, in two layers". Other camouflages and patterns that were offered to specialists were deemed too complicated or posed technological issues in production and effectiveness. It was considered that vehicles covered in dust and mud would offer a more 'realistic' and convincing look.
Of course, there were exceptions, primarily for certain divisions that would partake in parades and celebrations. A good example would be the Tamansk and Kantemirovsk divisions in Lower Moscow, whose tanks, BTRs and BMPs would traverse the Red Square during the 9th of May Victory Day celebration. Parade vehicles would also have their own camouflage but would be limited to only having the 'Guards' badges and white edges on the roadwheels, and sides.
The attitude towards camouflage would change in the late 1980s. In addition to the adoption of regular paint schemes, crews in different battalions and divisions got the opportunity to satisfy their aesthetic inclinations. As a result, some very creative designs emerged.
One of these designs was featured on a T-80BV part of a tank crew training facility near St. Petersburg.
In the Autumn of 1996, the tank received its original 'marble' like paint scheme, formed by a main dark grey base background with a white wave-like glare. Despite the apparent complexity of the camouflage, it was made quite easily; light streaks were applied with a spray gun from a certain distance with a narrow nozzle. A sheet of cardboard was used as a mask, which was placed half a meter from the vehicle. The flexible cardboard sheet diversified the grid of white streaks, bringing the camouflage as close as possible to the natural play of light and shadow tones. This paint scheme raised criticism, the camouflage was deemed to be 'unrealistic' considering its vibrant colour selection that would be hard to come by in the northern parts of Russia.
An example of this would be the Iraq war in 1999, when armoured vehicles, supply vehicles, and communication equipment were coloured into a similar pattern as the desert.
While the Soviet camouflage looked quite modest and bleak, a single protective colour was chosen for the entire vehicle fleet. Regardless of the area of operation and the time of year. The vehicles retained the same colour throughout the service life, from leaving the assembly line to the tank graveyard. The standard colour was "Enemal HV-578 green colour, in two layers". Other camouflages and patterns that were offered to specialists were deemed too complicated or posed technological issues in production and effectiveness. It was considered that vehicles covered in dust and mud would offer a more 'realistic' and convincing look.
Of course, there were exceptions, primarily for certain divisions that would partake in parades and celebrations. A good example would be the Tamansk and Kantemirovsk divisions in Lower Moscow, whose tanks, BTRs and BMPs would traverse the Red Square during the 9th of May Victory Day celebration. Parade vehicles would also have their own camouflage but would be limited to only having the 'Guards' badges and white edges on the roadwheels, and sides.
The attitude towards camouflage would change in the late 1980s. In addition to the adoption of regular paint schemes, crews in different battalions and divisions got the opportunity to satisfy their aesthetic inclinations. As a result, some very creative designs emerged.
One of these designs was featured on a T-80BV part of a tank crew training facility near St. Petersburg.
In the Autumn of 1996, the tank received its original 'marble' like paint scheme, formed by a main dark grey base background with a white wave-like glare. Despite the apparent complexity of the camouflage, it was made quite easily; light streaks were applied with a spray gun from a certain distance with a narrow nozzle. A sheet of cardboard was used as a mask, which was placed half a meter from the vehicle. The flexible cardboard sheet diversified the grid of white streaks, bringing the camouflage as close as possible to the natural play of light and shadow tones. This paint scheme raised criticism, the camouflage was deemed to be 'unrealistic' considering its vibrant colour selection that would be hard to come by in the northern parts of Russia.
During the first test drive around the training grounds, the vehicle's camouflage would cause a very rough outline making it somewhat difficult to follow at higher speeds.
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