I already know interior colors of open top AFV's (SP's, halftracks, etc.) were the same as exterior, but in the case of a vehicle built pre-1943 (panzer gray overall), surviving into the post-1943 period, and eventually being externally repainted dark yellow, would the interior also be repainted the new color, or left in it's original gray? Is there any evidence for either possibility, or were both possible depending on time or paint supply? I know DAK vehicles were often left with gray interiors, but I'm referring to the European Theater.

Assuming we're talking German afv colours .....

The generally accepted present view (ie after much debate and feilure to show otherwise beyond doubt) is that hatches were the exterior colour when new and repainted when/if the vehicle exterior was repainted.

As for interior colours, again the generally accepted present view is that upto 1942 the lower interior colour was gray/green with the top half ivory. From '43 the grey/green area was to be left in primer (redoxide). From 1944 all interiors were to be left in primer, probably to save time and paint. This order was recinded later in the year imo probably at the insistance of the crews. Some survining examples do show all primer, and some show the primer/ivory combo so factory variations exist.

Hope this helps and I'm sure others will have comment ......

cheers
Brent

Biggles,

If I understand you question, you're asking about the interior color of open-topped AFV's.

I don't know that there's a definitive answer, though. After the change from factory gray to factory dark yellow, it was still up to the individual units to "field" apply any camouflage to their existing dark gray vehicles.

I think the only way that you could determine with any certainty if an open-topped AFV had its interior areas repainted would be by examining any existing contemporary photos of that vehicle type and the specific unit at the particular time you're modeling.

In the absence of a reference source, it would be, IMO, a judgement call using what ever rational and reasoning you think is most correct for your subject.

I would think that some open-topped interiors were repainted to match any repainting done on the exteriors, especially on AFV's that had received significant work in rear echelon repair and maint facilities. However, I think it most likely that most such open-topped AFV's did not have their exposed interior areas repainted.

I would base this opinion on the resource constraints of time, labor, and materials in an operational field environment. Simply put, I don't think most units would have found taking a vehicle out of service for re-camouflaging for more than the minimum amount of time would have been worth the degradation in combat power.

But, like I said, I'm sure that there were plenty of exceptions to this reasoning. Only a good reference photo of a particular subject would be definitive evidence either way.

I think your options are pretty wide open here within reason.

My .02...

I'm building the Hobby Boss 4.7 cm. Pz Jg 35R as seen in Normandy June '44. The Renault tanks were converted in '41 and would therefore been painted Pz Gray, however, this unit would most likely have been repainted dark yellow, as per orders, in mid '43. As nothing was going on in France yet, this unit would have had plenty of time to repaint the interiors too (or not!). I guess it's just up to my discretion on the interior color.