Sorry but that is not correct. German equipment was painted at the place of manufacture and then shipped. German vehicles were painted without the equipment on the vehicle.

Sorry but that is not correct. German equipment was painted at the place of manufacture and then shipped. German vehicles were painted without the equipment on the vehicle. In most cases if time allowed the crews removed this equipment when camo was applied in the field. Shovel,pick, and Ax heads were all painted black . Wooden handles were varnished wood. Pry bars and Jacks are also painted black. The head of the cable cutters are painted black but the handels are made of a resin impregnated paper material called "tufnell" and was a red, orange, brown color similar to red lead primer color. Poles attached to the bore cleaning brush were usually varnished wood with blackened metal ends, but latter in the war blackened metal poles also began to appear. The only item found on the outside of a german vehicle that was the color of the vehicle was the external fire extinguisher which was either panzer grey or armor sand. The black color mentioned above wasn't just flat black but had a metalic sheen to it as well. hope this helps!

One more question (in best Columbo voice).

The Puma has six smoke launchers on the turret, similar to those mounted on a Tiger. I've assumed that they shouldn't all be empty so have plugged a few with bits of plastic rod to represent unused smoke grenades. Does anyone know what colour they should be?

Anyone? Please?