I've got one question, how was majority of germans tanks in WWII painted, with spray gun or by hand? You can read everywhere that they threw away the spray gun and used its space for something more important. But in most of the old photos camos look spray painted (with soft edge).
Anyone know the answer for sure?

bye

probaly both white wash was appiled with bruhes rags,brooms whatever was to hand but most german tanks had compressors fitted so both was possiable also the paint came as a paste and any liquid could be mixed with it such as fuel/water ect hence such a variation of colour tones

Variations in German paint colors and patterns were caused by variations in paint lots and methods of applications. Ideally, the proper and most efficient method was to spray the patterns. Most tanks and heavy equipment had engine driven compressors just for this application. In most cases, the crews were responsible for painting their tanks according to the time of the year, and theatre of operation. In large or elite units, the commanding officer would then issue a directive for a "standard " pattern of colors to be used. Even the early panzer grey colors shows variations in color density. In many situations, the use of spray guns was not practical, being very common with the use of whitewash, which was applied with brooms, rags, sponges or brushes. I would say that most but not all vehicles were sprayed, as seen in many of the reference photographs available. It was very common to see two vehicles in the same unit, platoon or squad, one with a sprayed pattern and the other with a hard edge, hand painted pattern.