Ive noticed on a lot of afv models and figures were the colour on the handles or hafts of entrenching tools / shovels/pickaxes etc have been painted a brown colour its just a niggling thing but seems to ruin in some cases a perfectly painted figure.I believe that most handles are manufactured out of ash which is very light in colour or in some cases painted a shade of dark green.Any comments, information,or input welcome.

Regards to all Phil

Phil,

We used to have to repaint the handle and shovel portion of the e-tool before inspections, and it was not uncommon to see the colors run the gamut of shades from the dark green you mentioned olive drab to black depending on the color spray paint the supply sergeant had the most of in his stash, but never dark brown or bare wood. Bare wood had to be painted, same with bare metal in the tri-fold e-tool; can't vouch for other armies' policies however.