Hey Guys..

Got a question regarding a model I'm making now..
It's an IG 18 7.5cm fieldcannon model by Italeri..see the link for a picture:

http://www.ww2incolor.com/german/ww2+Ger+arty+75mm+le+IG+18+a_75mm_03.html

Anyway, the model hosts 4 figures as well. I don't like the camouflage patterns provided by Italeri, so I created a more realistic SS camouflage pattern. I decided to go with the M-44 dotted camouflage pattern for the jackets..BUT..I want to paint the trousers grey...I painted it in Tamiya's XF-63..since I don't have many color photo's of the SS, It's kind of difficult to replicate an exact grey trouser color. the XF-63 looks kind of dark to me..I like the combination of the camouflaged jackets and grey trousers.

Do you guys have an idea for me concerning the trouser color? I really like to keep it as realistic as possible..but have my doubts about the type of grey they are now..

Hope you'll can help!

An exact colour for uniforms is hard to give - hardly ever do two pieces of cloth look the exact same colour, unless they are factory fresh. I don't know if you've been in the Army, but when I was, it was a sport to wash your field gear as often as possible to get that new, dark colour out (and look less like a noobie!). And so you could see us walking around with new, brownish green pants and washed, lighter green shirts which were supposed to be of the same colour.
I suggest that if your Tamiya colour looks too dark, use it in the recesses (the folds of the pants and the seams) only. Then lighten it with some white and use that for the main colour. Lighten it some more and you'll have a good shade for highlights as well.
As for using colour photograps... beware. A picture is never a good way to determine colour. Too much depends on fading of the picture, lighting conditions, camera settings, film used, etcetera.

Hey Daniel,
Here's a few sites that will be of help:

http://www.germanmilitaria.com/WaffenSS/SSSections.html
http://www.germanmilitaria.com/WaffenSS/01Uniforms.html
http://atthefront.com/g_main.htm
http://atthefront.com/g_uni_SScamouni.htm

Cheers

jjumbo

Hi Daniel,

The feldgrau colour of the WSS was little different to that issued to the Wehrmacht. You could use any of the mixes shown here: http://www.coloradominiatures.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=5#fieldgrey2

HTH

Rudi

Wooow Rudy! what a great website!
To bad its only voor Vallejo paints..I mostly use Humbrol and Tamiya's paint because my supply store only sells these. I got an address for Vallejo paints..but its expensive to order it..
Are there any of these websites for Humbrol and Tamiya paint?
If not..well...got to buy Vallejo then..
Thanks anyway for the tips!

Hi Daniel,

Do a Google search for the Acrylicos Vallejo website - they've got a conversion chart for most of their colours to some of the other popular brands

Rudi

I got to tell you people, I think that is really taking it too far. Exact colour matches for cloth which was last dyed (or printed) 70 years ago under wartime conditions? To be worn by soldiers who saw it fade in the sun; get dirty; worn out on knees and elbows?

Common sense, people. It's there, it's free, use it.

Yeah, so are the conversion charts and the paint recipes. A lot easier than attempting to match images of colour samples on a PC screen to aged and faded images of trousers (once again) on a screen.

BTW, it wouldn't be a good idea to lighten a green based colour with white, nor darken it with black. Better to lighten with a yellow or lighter green based colour and darken with a brown or red.

Well guys..I actually think its the name of the game with modelling.
I mean..you want to create something as realistic as possible. Using exact colours help you with that..so do the conversion charts

Accuracy, in the end, when you think it all through, is bananas when we talk colour. With washes and powders and mixing and drybrushing and you name it, none of that "accurate" colour is going to remain visible anywhere on your vehicle. Or your uniform pants, for that matter. And especially for clothing, I do not believe in it at all. I think what Vallejo does is simply a marketing ploy with that Most Sacred Word of Modelling - accurate.
But hey, it's not my money you're spending so be my guest.

I'm sorry, did I miss something somewhere where Vallejo claimed to be the most accurate? Or that the link I sent Daniel was said to be the most accurate?

No one's forcing anyone to do anything - I gave him a list of colour mixes, he stated he uses other brands, I suggested a colour conversion chart to those other brands.

And you helped me very well Rudy!!
No need to argue with someone who differs in opinion. I am very glad that you gave me this link..I even started using Vallejo now..

Here is the Vallejo website that Rudi mentioned. You can find the conversion charts
there. http://www.acrylicosvallejo.com/

- ralph