Hi Guys,

I'm working on several US ETO kits, all situated in Normandy. I'm always painting with Tamiya paints, and they may dry fast, I don't have any problems with them, they work for me. Also, Tamiya is the only brand my local hobby store has in stock, so I don't have much options.

My main problem is, it's very hard for me to identify and differentiate colours, especially those in the same range. I do have a mild form of colour blindness, so that could be the reason why.

I have all the right books, tons of pictures of authentic uniforms, I have visited all museums in Normandy, the Ardennes, some up to 4 times, searched the usual websites (including modelling the US Army), but I just can't seem to match the right paint with the right uniform colour.

In the past, most of my kits were Tamiya, so that was easy, just follow the painting guide, but in recent years, I shifted to AFV Club, DML, Masterbox and the lot, different painting guides, no Tamiya paints!

I've been trying to get the right matches with different conversion charts, but sometimes they seem to come up with strange colours. Like for example, I'm working on the DML Rangers kit, and the painting guide says the shirt is in GSI H85, 45, according to paint4models.com this is a sail colour!? The corresponding Model Master colour is 1716, a green colour??? So this is not working.

My only option is to create a guide for all US ETO uniforms, and I hope you can help me out here.

- US Infantry M1941 uniform

Shirt: What I used till today: XF 57 Buff
Trousers: XF 52 Flat Earth?
Webbing: XF 59 Desert Yellow?
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth?

- US Infantry m1943 uniform

Shirt: XF 51 Khaki Drab?
Trousers: XF 51 Khaki Drab?
Webbing: XF 59 Desert Yellow?
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth?

- US Airborne M1942 uniform

Shirt: XF 59 Desert Yellow?
Trousers: XF 59 Desert Yellow?
Webbing: XF 49 Khaki?
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth?

- US Airborne M1943 uniform

Shirt: XF 51 Khaki Drab?
Trousers: XF 51 Khaki Drab?
Webbing: XF 59 Desert Yellow?
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth?

- US Rangers

Shirt: I haven't got a clue here
Rangers vest: I haven't got a clue here
Trousers: I haven't got a clue here
Webbing: I haven't got a clue here
Boots: I haven't got a clue here

- US Tankers:

Shirt: XF 62 Olive Drab?
Tanker Jacket: XF 60 Dark Yellow?
Trousers: XF 62 Olive Drab?
Webbing: XF 59 Desert Yellow?
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth?

And while I'm add it. :-)

- British Tankers

Pixie suit: mix of XF 60 dark Yellow and XF 49 Khaki
Non-pixie suit (don't know what this is called): XF 61 Dark Green
Shirt: XF 61 Dark Green
Trousers: XF 61 Dark Green
Webbing: XF 57 Buff
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth

- British Infantry

Shirt: XF 10 Flat Brown
Trousers: XF 10 Flat Brown
Webbing: XF 57 Buff
Boots: XF 52 Flat Earth

Could anyone help me correct this all? Give me the correct colours?

I'll be in your debt forever, and anyway, thanks a million times!

Dave

Well I can at least get you started, Rangers wore standard US Infantry Uniforms. The vest is an assault vest but I am not sure as to color. You might find this link helpful:

http://www.usarmymodels.com/guidetopainting.html

John

I use model master so can't help too much with specifics. I can never find just the right color by itself. Basically I mix several paints together and experiment, I like doing this since it's a little different every time which adds a realistic effect since no two unis were exactly the same. I did find lthis which has been a big help for me.

Sounds like you're on the right track though. Good luck.