Military color: how bad is it?

**mertens_k** · #1 23 Apr 2004

Hi everybody,

with the preparations of our overland trip moving on, we're now thinking about the outside of our van. We bought the van from the german army, so of course it looks military (plain olive green).
We know that securitywise this is not a good thing, and we also realise that it will get bloody hot inside, but we heard rumours (?) that in some countries you're simply denied entry with a military-color vehicle. Can anyone confirm/deny that this is the case?
We don't feel like painting the whole van over, but let's say we paint/sticker some nice (and big) pictures on the sidewalls, will this be good enough not to be regarded as military?
Any advice or experience is welcome...
Take care,

Koen

**mertens_k** · #2 23 Apr 2004

Forgot to mention that i'm talking about an Africa trip...

Koen

**ctc** · #3 23 Apr 2004

I would not worry, as long as you don't look like mercenaries and are not deliberately setting out to make your vehicle look military in appearance.

A sense of humour and a laugh with the authorities usually gets you through these things. Travelling with a lady also defuses any tension.

However I would suggest you avoid any DPM (camouflaged) clothing or equipment. Olive Drab or khaki gear is fine though.

Alternatively painting the truck with a roller brush and automotive paint is suprisingly easy and gives good results provided you have the patience to do enough coats (5 or so)

Perhaps you should avoid Equatorial Guinea as well though!

P.S. I happen to drive a green Land Rover and have quite a lot of military surplus expedition gear - no problems to date but a few jokes etc.

[This message has been edited by ctc (edited 23 April 2004).]

**PeterM** · #4 26 Apr 2004

There are some discussions if a vehicle looks like a car of the army of a specific country. African armies use light olive greens and types of very light brown/sand - so a rather dark European vehicle is no real problem, except for the heat.

Regards,
Peter