Hello:

I would like to know what were the primer colors for WWII tanks... Looking for information on:
British, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Russian and American....

In need of FT-17 primer info, as wanting to get started tonight!!!

Thanks Rob

Rob

Can't say for the others, but German tanks were primed in a brownish - red colour (reputedly more red than brown)

Rob

Rob,
Thanks for the info.
Rob

Rob

German vehicles used a red oxide primer color which was more of a redish tone. In addition, trasnmissions and other engine equipment, and even radio equipment inside tanks were sometimes painted in a dark grey or a greysh green color. Engine compartments may have been either red oxide or dark grey.

Ernie - Thanks for the information, greatly appreciated!!!

Rob

Almost all used red primer. It was less likely to be seen on American vehicles, they had a tendency to paint over everything.

Hi kevin - Thanks for the heads up....that helps - Rob

One caution on using primer under top coatings is "scale" shading. In other words, if you're painting a 1/35th version of a real tank (and even more so for smaller scales), using one color will distort the appearance. It's why top modelers using different painting techniques, including using a black "shadow" undercoat for recesses and seams, as well as different shades of the topcoat to replicate the scale shadings, fadings and other features of real paint.

I have used a red oxide primer under top colors and find it just distorts the final colors rather than adding any level of realism, and reserve using primer for places that were unpainted or for chipping and wear.

Your mileage may vary.

Bill has a very valid point. I would limit the red ox primer to areas such as interiors and engine compartments. The use of a black or dark brown primer will act as a pre-shader and will help define deep details after careful top coating the exterior.

Thanks for the words of caution..... What I am looking for is the true primer colors to create the chipped/ dinged/ wear and tear areas. At the moment I am using Chestnut for my primer, but if I do have chips/ dings/ wear & tear areas, what colors would my primers be?

The Germans used oxide red, so did the Americans, and I do believe through research they also used a lime/ chromite green on pre-war & early WWII tanks.
So what would the other countries have used, if any at all?

Thanks for your input....Great tips!!!