I have been thinking about this, and it's nice to see it being talked about again.
Would it be safe to say that the "octopus" Tiger II had a green base color?


And also, is this an example of the Panthers talked about earlier?


In my opinion these are an example of the few evidences of dark green as base color.

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I have been thinking about this, and it's nice to see it being talked about again.
Would it be safe to say that the "octopus" Tiger II had a green base color?


And also, is this an example of the Panthers talked about earlier?


In my opinion these are an example of the few evidences of dark green as base color.

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If you examine what little there is to view of the drive sprocket and first wheel they are in the lighter of the two colors. If the darker color (Olivegrün) is the base color, wouldn't the running gear also be in the same color and not the lighter?

As can be seen, the running gear as well as the un-camouflaged strip running along the hull above the sponsons, where the fenders had been attached, are all in base Olivegrün. The 3-color camo stops along that sharp line because: the Jagdtiger components were initially factory painted Olivegrün before assembly, or at least, before fenders were attached; fenders attached and other colors applied, either in factory, or by unit; fenders lost or removed leaving plain Olivegrün strip. Any comments or suggestions to add to my theory?

OKH WaJ Rue (WuG 6) VIII, 29 Nov 44 - A warning to all manufacturers that the camouflage scheme is to be changed. Manufacturers of armor components will start delivering their parts in dark green, RAL 6003, and the assembly firms will then apply brown, RAL 8017, and dark yellow, RAL 7028, in patterns with a "sharp contrast" (quote is Jentz's term). This change is to become effective by 01 Mar 45.

Mike,
I know is referring to a much earlier post, but the orders DO exist. If you pick up a copy of Tom Jentz's book on the King Tiger, it has a section dedicated to camouflage patterns and colors. The green was supposed to be used a base color starting in May or June, 1945 (I'm on vacation and don't have my refs w/me). I've used that section of the book as a rough guide for painting late war German camo schemes. It's served pretty well. Good luck!
Regards,
Georg

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OKH WaJ Rue (WuG 6) VIII, 29 Nov 44 - A warning to all manufacturers that the camouflage scheme is to be changed. Manufacturers of armor components will start delivering their parts in dark green, RAL 6003, and the assembly firms will then apply brown, RAL 8017, and dark yellow, RAL 7028, in patterns with a "sharp contrast" (quote is Jentz's term). This change is to become effective by 01 Mar 45.

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Does "sharp contrast" refer to hard edged camo jobs done with stencils or masks, such as splinter patterns, or the small circles (not octopus!)?

Of course, my own opinions on these matters, my right to voice them, and my credibility have recently been harshly criticized, so you might want to form your own opinions on such matters.

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Of course, my own opinions on these matters, my right to voice them, and my credibility have recently been harshly criticized, so you might want to form your own opinions on such matters.

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Consider the source of the criticism, Mike. That says it all.

Don't sweat it. You've always provided detailed and useful information at various fora; your credibility has never been in question. That is, not by people who can comprehend what they've read, at least. This isn't directed at anyone participating in this discussion; so, holster the gats, guys.

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OKH WaJ Rue (WuG 6) VIII, 29 Nov 44 - A warning to all manufacturers that the camouflage scheme is to be changed. Manufacturers of armor components will start delivering their parts in dark green, RAL 6003, and the assembly firms will then apply brown, RAL 8017, and dark yellow, RAL 7028, in patterns with a "sharp contrast" (quote is Jentz's term). This change is to become effective by 01 Mar 45.

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My own opinion is that the base coat (either dark yellow or dark green) was probably sprayed on and the disruptive camouflage on these examples was applied by brush. This is just the simplest solution. The simplest solution, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is usually the best explanation.

Would these have been green? In my opinion, it would have been a big waste of paint to paint them in a yellow base and just leave those thin lines?

One thing that came to my mind was, what people think of the "Seelow panthers"?




Would these have been green? In my opinion, it would have been a big waste of paint to paint them in a yellow base and just leave those thin lines?

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One thing that came to my mind was, what people think of the "Seelow panthers"?




Would these have been green? In my opinion, it would have been a big waste of paint to paint them in a yellow base and just leave those thin lines?

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If anyone cares to take notice, the DG stripes in the photos run diagonally in opposite directions. If the Panthers came from the same factory, it seems that they were painted by two different shifts which interpreted the factory scheme templates differently.

Could only find this one.

But I don't think that the wheel color is such a great way to tell the base color of the tank. I mean, sure, if the tank is photographed at the factory straight of the belt, but the wheels must get dirty/covered with dust quite quick?