I'm building a Tamiya Pzkpfw IV Ausf.D. there are several tools (ie shovel,axe,wrench..etc). Well the axe and the shovel both have some kind of cover over the blade. I have looked everywhere for a photo that shows this in detail but have been unsuccesful. Anybody have any clue what this "cover" would have been made of. I'm trying to figure out what color it should be painted. The directions are pretty vague but almost make it look like they should be painted a wood color just like the handles. Any ideas?

-Eyeball

Hi eyeball,
I'll take my best guess but if I'm wrong, hopefully someone here will correct me soon
I believe those covers represent sheetmetal retainers that the item would slip into at the free end and the tool would be fastened at the handle end. These would be painted the same color as the rest of the vehicle was.
Hope this helps and I hope I'm right!

Thats kind of what I was thinking too. But I wanted to be sure. If anyone has any other input feel free.Thanks!!

Hi. As I remember on some of the PE sheets for certain German vehicles, there are pieces for such coverings provided, and these being metal, I would assume that the original ones on the real vehicles were as well. And I have seen photos of these items placed on models without the tools in them. So I would say, from my point of view anyway, the other poster here is correct, and just paint them the same color as the vehicle.

Take care, sgirty

Hi Eyeball: I am no expert but from the pictures I have seen they always seem to be painted the same color as the AFV. And with alot of camo being applied in the field the actual tools themselves might be painted the same color as the rest of the tank.

Those are guards for the tools,they are metal,they are the same color as the vehicle's main color